Study on Model Establishment of Regionalization Management of Specific Equine Disease-free Zone

[Objective]The model of regionalization management of specific equine disease-free zone were analysed and discussed. [Methods]International animal epidemics regionalization management experience and specific equine disease-free zone establishment were analysed and discussed based on the State and OIE principles. [Results]The regionalization management of specific equine disease-free zone with county administrative regions level of international recognition was established first in China,combined with the region＇s geographical barrier and animal health. [Conclusion]The aim is to to provide experience and reference for other areas to establish specific disease-free zone.

Recent Advances on the Technologies to Increase Fertilizer Use Efficiency

To increase fertilizer use efficiency （FUE） and to minimize its negative impact on environment have been the focal points in the world for a long time. It is very important to increase FUE in China for its relatively low FUE and serious losses of nutrients. Recent advances of the technologies to increase FUE are reviewed in this article. These include site-specific and real-time nitrogen management, non-destructive quick test of the nitrogen status of plants, new types of slow release and controlled release fertilizers, site-specific nutrient management, and use of urease inhibitor and nitrification inhibitor to decrease nitrogen losses. Future outlook in technologies related to FUE improvement is also discussed.

Data Mapping Principles and Algorithm for Self-Configurable Systems

With the challenges brought by the expansion of network scale,as well as the diversity of the equipments and the complexity of network protocols,many self-configurable systems have been proposed combining formal specification and model finding techniques.In this paper,we pay more attention to formal specifications of network information,i.e.,exploring principles and algorithm to map network information(topology,devices and status,etc.) to Alloy specifications.We first model network information in relational form,which is easy to realize because of the structured feature of network information in nature.Then we map the relational data to Alloy specifications according to our novel data mapping principles and algorithm.Based on the transition of relational data,it is possible to automatically map network information to Alloy specifications.We evaluate our data mapping principles and algorithm by applying them to a practical application scenario.The results illustrate that we can find a model for the task within a tolerant time interval,which implies that our novel approach can convert relational data to Alloy specifications correctly and efficiently.

Variable Rate Technology and Cotton Yield Response in Texas

Variable Rate Technology （VRT） takes within-field variability into consideration and aims to match resource application to crop requirement. Even though Texas is the most important cotton producing state in the US, the rate of VRT adoption is very low here. Hence, analyzing the factors influencing the adoption and providing a regional estimate of the impact of VRT adoption on cotton yield is very important. This study used the 2009 Southern Cotton Precision Farming Survey to analyze the farm and farmer characteristics affecting the adoption of VRT among Texas cotton farmers and to empirically estimate the impact of adoption of VRT on cotton yield in Texas. A two-stage least square procedure with a logistic regression model in the first stage and a multiple linear regression model in the second stage was used to analyze the data. The study revealed that there are significant regional differences in adoption pattern within the state of Texas; and the farmers from the coastal region, where there is higher within-field variability, were more likely to adopt VRT compared to other regions. Younger farmers, farmers managing larger farms, and farmers who use computers for farming operations were more likely to adopt VRT. The results also showed that, on an average, the adoption of VRT does not lead to significant yield improvements for cotton in Texas. Since the impact of VRT adoption on yield is not significant, the source of economic advantage of VRT adoption in Texas may be the reduction of input cost.