Biology is a rich source of great ideas that can inspire us to find successful ways to solve the challenging problems in engineering practices including those in the chemical industry. Bio-inspired chemical engineerin...Biology is a rich source of great ideas that can inspire us to find successful ways to solve the challenging problems in engineering practices including those in the chemical industry. Bio-inspired chemical engineering(Bio Ch E)may be recognized as a significant branch of chemical engineering. It may consist of, but not limited to, the following three aspects: 1) Chemical engineering principles and unit operations in biological systems; 2) Process engineering principles for producing existing or developing new chemical products through living ‘devices';and 3) Chemical engineering processes and equipment that are designed and constructed through mimicking(does not have to reproduce one hundred percent) the biological systems including their physical–chemical and mechanical structures to deliver uniquely beneficial performances. This may also include the bio-inspired sensors for process monitoring. In this paper, the above aspects are defined and discussed which establishes the scope of BioChE.展开更多
LCM (life cycle management) is a systematic approach, mindset and culture that considers economic, social, and environmental factors among other factors in the decision making process throughout various business or ...LCM (life cycle management) is a systematic approach, mindset and culture that considers economic, social, and environmental factors among other factors in the decision making process throughout various business or organizational decisions that affect both inputs and outputs of a product or service life cycle. It is a product, process, or activity management system aimed at minimizing environmental and socio-economic burdens associated with an organization's product or process during its entire life cycle and value chain. LCM's application is gaining wider acceptance both in the corporate and governmental organizations as an approach to reduce ecological footprints and to improve the sustainability of human activities. But where and how can it be used in agricultural engineering applications? This study highlights the potential areas of LCM application in agricultural and allied sectors and how it can be utilized. The study revealed that LCM tools such as design for environment and life cycle analysis can be used to evaluate the environmental impacts of-and to improve the products, equipment, and structures produced by biosystems engineers as well as the processes used to generate them.展开更多
To collect neural activity data from awake, behaving freely animals, we develop miniaturized implantable recording system by the modem chip:Programmable System on Chip (PSoC) and through chronic electrodes in the c...To collect neural activity data from awake, behaving freely animals, we develop miniaturized implantable recording system by the modem chip:Programmable System on Chip (PSoC) and through chronic electrodes in the cortex. With PSoC family member CY8C29466,the system completed operational and instrument amplifiers, filters, timers, AD convertors, and serial communication, etc. The signal processing was dealt with virtual instrument technology. All of these factors can significantly affect the price and development cycle of the project. The result showed that the system was able to record and analyze neural extrocellular discharge generated by neurons continuously for a week or more. This is very useful for the interdisciplinary research of neuroscience and information engineering technique. The circuits and architecture of the devices can be adapted for neurobiology and research with other small animals.展开更多
This paper describes the history of the harmonisation of agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs in Europe from 1989, when the need for this process was widely felt, until now, when this need was par...This paper describes the history of the harmonisation of agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs in Europe from 1989, when the need for this process was widely felt, until now, when this need was partly satisfied through the implementation of the projects of two EU funded thematic networks, i.e., USAEE-TN and ERABEE-TN. The objective of this paper is to contribute to promote, in each EU country and elsewhere, the process of harmonisation of agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs, and student and graduate mobility within the EU, as well as between the EU and the USA. At present, in Europe, this harmonisation process is aided by the key results of the projects of USAEE-TN, ERABEE-TN and POMSEBES. USAEE developed some core curricula, to be used as benchmarks for European agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs, and a web-based database of these study programs. ERABEE promoted the transition from agricultural engineering to biosystems engineering and established the recognition procedures of new European study programs in biosystems engineering. The EU-US POMSEBES consortium built up a platform for exchange of experiences and ideas between the USA and the EU, aimed at: enhancing the quality and linkage of research and education; establishing appropriate policy oriented measures; promoting compatible degree study programs in biosystems engineering, within the EU as well as between the EU and the USA.展开更多
Aims Ecosystem engineers substantially modify the environment via their impact on abiotic conditions and the biota,resulting in facilitation of associated species that would not otherwise grow.Yet,reciprocal effects a...Aims Ecosystem engineers substantially modify the environment via their impact on abiotic conditions and the biota,resulting in facilitation of associated species that would not otherwise grow.Yet,reciprocal effects are poorly understood as studies of plant–plant interactions usually estimate only benefits for associated species,while how another trophic level may mediate direct and indirect feedback effects for ecosystem engineers is hardly considered.Methods We ran a field experiment with two ecosystem engineers(Arenaria tetraquetra and Hormathophylla spinosa)blooming either alone or with associated plants to decompose net effects and to test the hypothesis that pollinator-mediated interactions provide benefits that balance costs of facilitation by ecosystem engineers.Important Findings We found that net costs of facilitation are accompanied by pollinator-mediated benefits.Despite ecosystem engineers producing fewer flowers per plant,they were visited by more and more diverse pollinators per flower when blooming with associated plants than when blooming alone.Although seed production per plant was higher when ecosystem engineers bloomed alone,fruit set and seed set varied between species.In one case(A.tetraquetra),fruit and seed sets were negatively affected by the presence of associated plants,whereas,in another case(H.spinosa),fruit set and seed set were higher and unaffected when ecosystem engineers bloomed with associated plants,respectively.Our findings suggest that besides experiencing direct costs,ecosystem engineers can also benefit from facilitating other species via increasing their own visibility to pollinators.Thus,we highlight that pollination interactions can compensate for costs of facilitation depending on ecosystem engineer species.This study illuminates how the outcome of direct plant–plant interactions might be mediated by indirect interactions including third players.展开更多
This article seeks to depict the management science's new trend - managerial bioengineering system which is making decisive influence to enterprise management, generalizes the characteristics and categories of manage...This article seeks to depict the management science's new trend - managerial bioengineering system which is making decisive influence to enterprise management, generalizes the characteristics and categories of managerial gene variation, and brings forward a managerial genome plan with 5-"All": participation of all members, enjoyment of all aspects, accumulation of all time, devotion of all strength and operation of all speed.展开更多
Complex networks are ubiquitous in our lives. Representative examples are the Internet, social networks, biological networks, E-commerce networks, electrical power grids, and larger-scale engineering systems. It is we...Complex networks are ubiquitous in our lives. Representative examples are the Internet, social networks, biological networks, E-commerce networks, electrical power grids, and larger-scale engineering systems. It is well known that the Internet has been a powerful engine for our societal evolution and technological innovation. Nowadays, network science and engineering faces fundamental challenges, such as understanding the complexity of various large-scale networks, developing new architectures and exploiting new substrates, and enabling new applications and new economics. To a better future, the complex networks in our lives will need to be better: more accessible, more reliable, more predictable, and more secure.展开更多
文摘Biology is a rich source of great ideas that can inspire us to find successful ways to solve the challenging problems in engineering practices including those in the chemical industry. Bio-inspired chemical engineering(Bio Ch E)may be recognized as a significant branch of chemical engineering. It may consist of, but not limited to, the following three aspects: 1) Chemical engineering principles and unit operations in biological systems; 2) Process engineering principles for producing existing or developing new chemical products through living ‘devices';and 3) Chemical engineering processes and equipment that are designed and constructed through mimicking(does not have to reproduce one hundred percent) the biological systems including their physical–chemical and mechanical structures to deliver uniquely beneficial performances. This may also include the bio-inspired sensors for process monitoring. In this paper, the above aspects are defined and discussed which establishes the scope of BioChE.
文摘LCM (life cycle management) is a systematic approach, mindset and culture that considers economic, social, and environmental factors among other factors in the decision making process throughout various business or organizational decisions that affect both inputs and outputs of a product or service life cycle. It is a product, process, or activity management system aimed at minimizing environmental and socio-economic burdens associated with an organization's product or process during its entire life cycle and value chain. LCM's application is gaining wider acceptance both in the corporate and governmental organizations as an approach to reduce ecological footprints and to improve the sustainability of human activities. But where and how can it be used in agricultural engineering applications? This study highlights the potential areas of LCM application in agricultural and allied sectors and how it can be utilized. The study revealed that LCM tools such as design for environment and life cycle analysis can be used to evaluate the environmental impacts of-and to improve the products, equipment, and structures produced by biosystems engineers as well as the processes used to generate them.
基金Shandong Province Nature Science FoundationGrant number:Y2007C02+1 种基金Science Development PlanGrant number:2006GG3204006
文摘To collect neural activity data from awake, behaving freely animals, we develop miniaturized implantable recording system by the modem chip:Programmable System on Chip (PSoC) and through chronic electrodes in the cortex. With PSoC family member CY8C29466,the system completed operational and instrument amplifiers, filters, timers, AD convertors, and serial communication, etc. The signal processing was dealt with virtual instrument technology. All of these factors can significantly affect the price and development cycle of the project. The result showed that the system was able to record and analyze neural extrocellular discharge generated by neurons continuously for a week or more. This is very useful for the interdisciplinary research of neuroscience and information engineering technique. The circuits and architecture of the devices can be adapted for neurobiology and research with other small animals.
文摘This paper describes the history of the harmonisation of agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs in Europe from 1989, when the need for this process was widely felt, until now, when this need was partly satisfied through the implementation of the projects of two EU funded thematic networks, i.e., USAEE-TN and ERABEE-TN. The objective of this paper is to contribute to promote, in each EU country and elsewhere, the process of harmonisation of agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs, and student and graduate mobility within the EU, as well as between the EU and the USA. At present, in Europe, this harmonisation process is aided by the key results of the projects of USAEE-TN, ERABEE-TN and POMSEBES. USAEE developed some core curricula, to be used as benchmarks for European agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs, and a web-based database of these study programs. ERABEE promoted the transition from agricultural engineering to biosystems engineering and established the recognition procedures of new European study programs in biosystems engineering. The EU-US POMSEBES consortium built up a platform for exchange of experiences and ideas between the USA and the EU, aimed at: enhancing the quality and linkage of research and education; establishing appropriate policy oriented measures; promoting compatible degree study programs in biosystems engineering, within the EU as well as between the EU and the USA.
基金supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation[grant numbers 148261,170645 and 180195]by the ETH Biocommunication group.
文摘Aims Ecosystem engineers substantially modify the environment via their impact on abiotic conditions and the biota,resulting in facilitation of associated species that would not otherwise grow.Yet,reciprocal effects are poorly understood as studies of plant–plant interactions usually estimate only benefits for associated species,while how another trophic level may mediate direct and indirect feedback effects for ecosystem engineers is hardly considered.Methods We ran a field experiment with two ecosystem engineers(Arenaria tetraquetra and Hormathophylla spinosa)blooming either alone or with associated plants to decompose net effects and to test the hypothesis that pollinator-mediated interactions provide benefits that balance costs of facilitation by ecosystem engineers.Important Findings We found that net costs of facilitation are accompanied by pollinator-mediated benefits.Despite ecosystem engineers producing fewer flowers per plant,they were visited by more and more diverse pollinators per flower when blooming with associated plants than when blooming alone.Although seed production per plant was higher when ecosystem engineers bloomed alone,fruit set and seed set varied between species.In one case(A.tetraquetra),fruit and seed sets were negatively affected by the presence of associated plants,whereas,in another case(H.spinosa),fruit set and seed set were higher and unaffected when ecosystem engineers bloomed with associated plants,respectively.Our findings suggest that besides experiencing direct costs,ecosystem engineers can also benefit from facilitating other species via increasing their own visibility to pollinators.Thus,we highlight that pollination interactions can compensate for costs of facilitation depending on ecosystem engineer species.This study illuminates how the outcome of direct plant–plant interactions might be mediated by indirect interactions including third players.
文摘This article seeks to depict the management science's new trend - managerial bioengineering system which is making decisive influence to enterprise management, generalizes the characteristics and categories of managerial gene variation, and brings forward a managerial genome plan with 5-"All": participation of all members, enjoyment of all aspects, accumulation of all time, devotion of all strength and operation of all speed.
文摘Complex networks are ubiquitous in our lives. Representative examples are the Internet, social networks, biological networks, E-commerce networks, electrical power grids, and larger-scale engineering systems. It is well known that the Internet has been a powerful engine for our societal evolution and technological innovation. Nowadays, network science and engineering faces fundamental challenges, such as understanding the complexity of various large-scale networks, developing new architectures and exploiting new substrates, and enabling new applications and new economics. To a better future, the complex networks in our lives will need to be better: more accessible, more reliable, more predictable, and more secure.