Water and nitrogen footprint assessment of integrated agronomic practice management in a summer maize cropping system

The footprints of water and nitrogen(WF and NF)provide a comprehensive overview of the type and quantity of water consumption and reactive nitrogen(Nr)loss in crop production.In this study,a field experiment over two years(2019 and 2020)compared three integrated agronomic practice management(IAPM)systems:An improved management system(T2),a high-yield production system(T3),and an integrated soil-crop management system(ISCM)using a local smallholder farmer’s practice system(T1)as control,to investigate the responses of WF,Nr losses,water use efficiency(WUE),and nitrogen use efficiency(NUE)to IAPM.The results showed that IAPM optimized water distribution and promoted water use by summer maize.The evapotranspiration over the whole maize growth period of IAPM increased,but yield increased more,leading to a significant increase in WUE.The WUE of the T2,T3,and ISCM treatments was significantly greater than in the T1 treatment,in 2019 and 2020respectively,by 19.8-21.5,31.8-40.6,and 34.4-44.6%.The lowest WF was found in the ISCM treatment,which was 31.0%lower than that of the T1 treatment.In addition,the ISCM treatment optimized soil total nitrogen(TN)distribution and significantly increased TN in the cultivated layer.Excessive nitrogen fertilizer was applied in treatment T3,producing the highest maize yield,and resulting in the highest Nr losses.In contrast,the ISCM treatment used a reduced nitrogen fertilizer rate,sacrificing grain yield partly,which reduced Nr losses and eventually led to a significant increase in nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen recovery.The Nr level in the ISCM treatment was34.8%lower than in the T1 treatment while NUE was significantly higher than in the T1 treatment by 56.8-63.1%in2019 and 2020,respectively.Considering yield,WUE,NUE,WF,and NF together,ISCM should be used as a more sustainable and clean system for sustainable production of summer maize.

The response of roots and the rhizosphere environment to integrative cultivation practices in paddy rice

Integrative cultivation practices(ICPs)are essential for enhancing cereal yield and resource use efficiency.However,the effects of ICP on the rhizosphere environment and roots of paddy rice are still poorly understood.In this study,four rice varieties were produced in the field.Each variety was treated with six different cultivation techniques,including zero nitrogen application(0 N),local farmers’practice(LFP),nitrogen reduction(NR),and three progressive ICP techniques comprised of enhanced fertilizer N practice and increased plant density(ICP1),a treatment similar to ICP1 but with alternate wetting and moderate drying instead of continuous flooding(ICP2),and the same practices as ICP2 with the application of organic fertilizer(ICP3).The ICPs had greater grain production and nitrogen use efficiency than the other three methods.Root length,dry weight,root diameter,activity of root oxidation,root bleeding rate,zeatin and zeatin riboside compositions,and total organic acids in root exudates were elevated with the introduction of the successive cultivation practices.ICPs enhanced nitrate nitrogen,the activities of urease and invertase,and the diversity of microbes(bacteria)in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil,while reducing the ammonium nitrogen content.The nutrient contents(ammonium nitrogen,total nitrogen,total potassium,total phosphorus,nitrate,and available phosphorus)and urease activity in rhizosphere soil were reduced in all treatments in comparison with the non-rhizosphere soil,but the invertase activity and bacterial diversity were greater.The main root morphology and physiology,and the ammonium nitrogen contents in rhizosphere soil at the primary stages were closely correlated with grain yield and internal nitrogen use efficiency.These findings suggest that the coordinated enhancement of the root system and the environment of the rhizosphere under integrative cultivation approaches may lead to higher rice production.

Strategies on Curriculum Reform of Hotel Management by Integrating Theory and Practice into Teaching

Integrating theory and practice into teaching is an advanced pedagogy, particularly suitable for the cultivation of applied talents in higher vocational colleges. In this paper, the author first discusses the connotation of the teaching method as integration of theory and practice and illustrates the background and significance of employing this teaching method in the curriculum reform of hotel management in higher vocational colleges. After that, the teaching content, methods as well as evaluation system are elaborated for implementing the integration of theory and practice teaching, and finally, some countermeasures are put forward for improving this teaching method.

Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Management in the Farmgate Area of Dhaka North City Corporation

This investigation is focused on conducting a thorough analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM). MSWM encompasses a range of interdisciplinary measures that govern the various stages involved in managing unwanted or non-utilizable solid materials, commonly known as rubbish, trash, junk, refuse, and garbage. These stages include generation, storage, collection, recycling, transportation, handling, disposal, and monitoring. The waste materials mentioned in this context exhibit a wide range of items, such as organic waste from food and vegetables, paper, plastic, polyethylene, iron, tin cans, deceased animals, byproducts from demolition activities, manure, and various other discarded materials. This study aims to provide insights into the possibilities of enhancing solid waste management in the Farmgate area of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). To accomplish this objective, the research examines the conventional waste management methods employed in this area. It conducts extensive field surveys, collecting valuable data through interviews with local residents and key individuals involved in waste management, such as waste collectors, dealers, intermediate dealers, recyclers, and shopkeepers. The results indicate that significant amounts of distinct waste categories are produced daily. These include food and vegetable waste, which amount to 52.1 tons/day;polythene and plastic, which total 4.5 tons/day;metal and tin-can waste, which amounts to 1.4 tons/day;and paper waste, which totals 5.9 tons/day. This study highlights the significance of promoting environmental consciousness to effectively shape the attitudes of urban residents toward waste disposal and management. It emphasizes the need for collaboration between authorities and researchers to improve the current waste management system.

Integrated agronomic practices management improved grain formation and regulated endogenous hormone balance in summer maize (Zea mays L.)

Compared with single agronomic practices management during grain formation, knowledge about integrated agronomic practices management on grain-filling characteristics and physiological function of endogenous hormones was limited. In order to clarify this issue, two field experiments, integrated agronomic practices management(IAPM), T1(local conventional cultivation practices), T2(an optimized combination of cropping systems and fertilizer treatment), T3(treatment based on high-yield studies), and T4(further optimized combination of cropping systems and fertilizer treatment), and nitrogen rate testing(NAT)(four nitrogen rates, 0, 129.0, 184.5, and 300.0 kg N ha–1) were performed with summer maize hybrid Zhengdan 958(ZD958). Results showed that with increased nitrogen rate, the endogenous hormone balance was promoted and the grain-filling characteristics were improved sufficiently to resulting in a significant increase in grain yield. However, the grain-filling characteristics deteriorated and yield was reduced with excessive nitrogen fertilization. However, IAPM could promote hormone balance and improve grain filling characteristic. The indole-3-acetic acid(IAA), zeatin riboside(ZR), and gibberellin(GA3) contents under T2 and T4 treatments were higher and the abscisic acid(ABA) content was lower, and the ZR and GA3 contents under T3 were higher than those under T1. Those resulted in the maximum grain-filling rate(Wmax) and the active grain-filling period(P) under T2, T3 and T4 were significantly increased than those under T1, and hence promoted kernel weight and grain yield. So IAPM promoted hormone balance by improving tillage model, optimizing fertilizer rate and fertilization period, appropriately increasing planting density and delaying harvest, which promoted grain filling rate and lengthened active grain-filling period, finally increased grain yield.

Improving the heart team:An interdisciplinary team and integrated practice unit

Heart Team emerged as an important tool in the cardiovascular care,improving the efficiency of decision-making process.In addition to the benefits in patient care,it symbolizes a new culture and mindset.However,beyond the clinical condition,in low/middle-income countries other concerns arise regarding patient's background and these demands are,usually,as challenging as the medical treatment.New models have been proposed face these demands and to assure a holistic care by Integrated Practice Units.Optimization and reorganization of already existing resources and promotion of interdisciplinary and holistic care may be an effective manner to improve outcomes despite socioeconomic barriers.

Assessing the Relationship of Corporate Integrity Practices With Accountability of Malaysian Statutory Bodies

Accountability is seen as an organisational performance across private and public sector,including statutory bodies.Yet,does accountability prove instilled in part of integrity practices,especially in less mentioned sector-statutory bodies?This study aims to evaluate the relationship of corporate integrity practices on accountability of Malaysian statutory bodies through questionnaire survey distribution.Based on 194 responses received from top management of Malaysian statutory bodies,it is proven that corporate integrity practices have a positive and significant relationship with accountability.Therefore,statutory bodies are recommended to exercise and implement corporate integrity practices by setting up integrity department and appointing corporate integrity officers.Hence,by upholding corporate integrity practices,it leads to the achievement of accountability of statutory bodies organisations.

Observation on Theory-practice Teaching Mode of of Taxation Practice in Higher Vocational Colleges

Integrated teaching mode of theory and practice not only can integrate the theoretical knowledge and practical jobs, combine the theory teaching and practical teaching, but also can motivate learning interest of students and cultivate the professional skill of vocational students. Therefore, based on analyzing the advantages of integrated teaching mode of theory and practice, the paper observes the integrated teaching method of theory and practice and observes the problems.

Discussion on the Teaching Reform of Course Warehouse Management in Higher Vocational Colleges --,The Construction of Theory and Practice Courses Integrated Teaching Mode

Warehouse management, as a higher vocational course integrating theory and practice, is of extreme importance to training the professional personnel logistics management. In this paper, under the premise of the teaching objective of course Warehouse Management, and based on analyzing the disadvantages in the current teaching of the course, the teaching mode integrating theory and practice courses, and teaching and learning is discussed, so this paper is of great significance to the design of the course teaching modes in higher vocational colleges.

Analyzing the Integrated Teaching of Theory and Practice in Communication Technology Based on the Cognitive Process

This study analyzes the cognitive characteristics of students in communication courses in military colleges and the impact of integrated teaching of theory and practice on students’cognitive process as well as proposes the information processing model of students’cognitive process in the integrated teaching of theory and practice.Combining the cognitive characteristics of the students from Communication Technology,on the one hand,this study analyzes the five factors that affect the teaching effect of integrating theory and practice;on the other hand,it proposes improvement measures for the integration of theory and practice from the structure of the teaching content,teaching organization and management,modern education technology,and the ability of teachers.

Research on the Reform of“Traditional Chinese Medicine Nursing”Teaching Based on the Concept of Outcome-Based Education

Continuously evolving teaching concepts and the adoption of diverse teaching methods have led to outcome-oriented education becoming a fundamental focus of teaching reform in colleges and universities.In this article,the“Traditional Chinese Medicine Nursing”course is used as an example to discuss the reform of education based on the concept of outcome-based education,with the purpose of improving students'learning outcomes and practical skills.

Integrative Medicine in Clinical Practice:From Pattern Differentiation in Traditional Chinese Medicine to Disease Treatment

Pattern(syndrome) differentiation is the key theory in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the important diagnostic principle for TCM therapy.More and more medical researchers recognize that the combination of disease diagnosis in biomedicine and pattern differentiation in TCM is essential for the clinical practice, and it has been a common practice model in China since it will produce better clinical effects.

Making Evidence-based Decisions in the Clinical Practice of Integrative Medicine

In 1948, the first clinical paper adopting the protocol of randomized and controlled design was published in British Medical Journal by Bradford Hill,a noted British biostatistician, who introduced rigorous theory of mathematical statistics into clinical design the first time and successfully evaluated the therapeutic effect of streptomycin on tuberculosis.

A PATH ANALYTICAL ANALYSIS OF ORGANIZATIONAL INTEGRATION PRACTICES'EFFECTS ON MANUFACTURING FLEXIBILITY AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGF

To cope with an increasingly turbulent environment, manufacturing firms increasingly implement integration practices to enhance flexibility in the production process. This research develops a framework to explore the relationships among organizational integration practices, manufacturing flexibility, and competitive advantage. The study develops valid and reliable instruments to measure these constructs, and it applies structural equation modeling to test relationships among these variables using a large sample. The results indicate strong, positive, and direct relationships between organizational integration practices and manufacturing flexibility, and between manufacturing flexibility and competitive advantage. The results also indicate that organizational integration practices enhance competitive advantage directly as well as indirectly by facilitating manufacturing flexibility.

Improving Clinical Practice Guideline Development in Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine

Integration of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and Western medicine （WM）, or called as integrative medicine （IM） in China, came into being in 1950s as a new form of medicine. IM emphasizes the combination of both conventional WM and TCM alternative approaches to address all aspects of health and illness.（1） The major practice in IM includes the integration of disease diagnosis in WM and pattern classification （or syndrome differentiation） in TCM, and the integration of WM interventions and TCM interventions.

Patient Feedback for Acupuncture Practice Improvement:A Survey from Mayo Clinic

Objective： To understand patient satisfaction with acupuncture appointment duration for the first and subsequent appointments in the plan of care, time spent with the acupuncture provider, willingness to pay for longer duration appointments, and lack of insurance coverage. Methods： Patients who were referred for an acupuncture consult to the Center for Integrative Medicine at Mayo Clinic were asked to participate in the survey in August 2014. Patients were given paper survey at time of appointment check-in and entered into Research Electronic Data Capture Survey database tool to reveal patient-reported outcomes. Results： In total, 104 of 329 patients receiving acupuncture treatment responded to the survey with a 32% response rate. Insight and recommended changes to the duration of the initial and subsequent appointments were obtained. Most patients reported that time spent with the provider（76 cases, 74%） and appointment length（74 cases, 68%） were ＂just right＂. Seventy cases（70%） of respondents indicated that they wanted longer treatment. Patients reported return appointments with duration of 30 min was not enough. Fifty-three patients（62%） were willing to pay for additional costs not covered by insurance. Conclusions： We used patient feedback to assess the acupuncture practice in a complementary and integrative medicine program. Most patients referred for the acupuncture consult appeared to be satisfied with the current level of practice. These findings were used to establish a quality improvement plan that may be implemented to improve patient satisfaction with the acupuncture practice.

Classroom Teaching Effect Monitoring and Evaluation System with Deep Integration of Artificial Intelligence

With the progress and development of the times,education informatization has become the primary content to promote the progress of education.However,with the rapid advancement of technology,many problems have arisen in the integration of online education and information technology.From a practical point of view,advanced information technology should be fully integrated with school education activities to promote education reform and development,and students will definitely obtain a better learning experience.This study aimed to introduce a classroom teaching effect monitoring and evaluation system that incorporates artificial intelligence.In view of the background conditions for the development of this system,reforming measures and specific implementation methods for the integration of information technology and online classroom education are proposed.