Cotton bollworm(Helicoverpa armigera) is an important agricultural pest that causes severe yield loss to crops,particularly to cotton.Transgenic Bt crops have been successful in
The paper mainly studies a new way of combining American culture with English language teaching and learning by means of the VOA Special English feature programs. It is based on a 5-year period of teaching practice, e...The paper mainly studies a new way of combining American culture with English language teaching and learning by means of the VOA Special English feature programs. It is based on a 5-year period of teaching practice, experience and reflection. This interactive, innovative, productive and student-centered approach is a far cry from the rigid, old, unproductive and teacher-centered approach of teaching British and American culture without combining language learning and practice as is commonly used here in Chinese colleges. The author also throws some light on how to use on-line teaching resources and how to cultivate independent learning on the part of the students he has worked with.展开更多
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in women worldwide,second only to breast cancer.Around 80%of women have been infected with human papillomavirus(HPV)in their lifetime.Early screening and...BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in women worldwide,second only to breast cancer.Around 80%of women have been infected with human papillomavirus(HPV)in their lifetime.Early screening and treatment are effective means of preventing cervical cancer,but due to economic reasons,many parts of the world do not have free screening programs to protect women’s health.AIM To increase HPV cervical cancer screening in Changsha and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.METHODS Cervical cancer screening included gynecological examination,vaginal secretion examination and HPV high-risk typing testing.Cervical cytology examination(ThinPrep cytology test)was performed for individuals who test positive for HPV types other than 16 and 18.Vaginal colposcopy examination was performed for HPV16 and 18 positive individuals,as well as for those who were positive for ThinPrep cytology test.If the results of vaginal colposcopy examination were abnormal,histopathological examination was performed.We conducted a cost-benefit analysis after 4 years.RESULTS From 2019 to 2022,523437 women aged 35-64 years in Changsha city were screened and 73313 were positive,with a 14%positive rate.The detection rate of precancerous lesions of cervical cancer was 0.6%and the detection rate of cervical cancer was 0.037%.Among 311212 patients who underwent two cancers examinations,the incidence rate was reduced by more than half in the second examination.The average screening cost per woman was 120 RMB.The average cost of detecting early cases was 10619 RMB,with an early detection cost coefficient of 0.083.CONCLUSION Our screening strategy was effective and cost-effective,making it valuable for early diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer.It is worth promoting in economically limited areas.展开更多
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC,Comrade Xi Jinping pools the wisdom of the Communist Party of China(Party for short),focusing on the overall issues,core issues,and key issues under the new situation of uph...Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC,Comrade Xi Jinping pools the wisdom of the Communist Party of China(Party for short),focusing on the overall issues,core issues,and key issues under the new situation of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics,has made a series of important speeches,proposed a complete set of strategy for national governing,thus。展开更多
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China,the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has scientifically integrated the two overall situations of the country and the internatio...Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China,the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has scientifically integrated the two overall situations of the country and the international community as well as the two major issues of development and security,thus forming a series of new concepts,new ideas and new strategies for governing the country.展开更多
Energy is the key to our future.Whether to the production,storage or use of energy,carbon materials could provide a good solution.They are closely related to people’s daily life and regarded as one of the most promis...Energy is the key to our future.Whether to the production,storage or use of energy,carbon materials could provide a good solution.They are closely related to people’s daily life and regarded as one of the most promising candidates for the flexible electrodes in energy storage devices.Recently,a research team from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology,Chinese Academy of Sciences prepared a展开更多
The large-scale application of Zn-air battery requires the development of efficient,low-cost,and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and oxygen reduction reaction(ORR).Herein,an ...The large-scale application of Zn-air battery requires the development of efficient,low-cost,and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and oxygen reduction reaction(ORR).Herein,an electrocatalyst of a Co/Mo C-nanoparticles embedded N-doped carbon(Co/Mo C@N-C)was prepared via the in-situ encapsulation of Co_(2)(CO)_(8)and Mo(CO)6 in ZIF-8 using ball-milling,followed by pyrolysis under an Ar atmosphere.When used as a bifunctional electrocatalyst,the as-prepared Co/Mo C@N-C showed an ORR half-wave potential of 0.824 V in an alkaline medium and an overpotential of only 290 m V for the OER at 10 m A cm^(-2),which was 70 m V lower than Ru O_(2).The Co/Mo C@N-C was also evaluated as a cathode in a solid-state Zn-air battery and delivered a higher peak discharge power density and better cycling stability(over 1600 min)than Pt/C-Ru O_(2).Most importantly,our work provides a new strategy to prepare bifunctional catalysts and promotes their applications in the energy conversion field.展开更多
Herpes simplex virus (HSV), a member of the Herpesviridae family, is a significant human pathogen that results in mucocutaneous lesions in the oral cavity or genital infections. Acyclovir (ACV) and related nucleos...Herpes simplex virus (HSV), a member of the Herpesviridae family, is a significant human pathogen that results in mucocutaneous lesions in the oral cavity or genital infections. Acyclovir (ACV) and related nucleoside analogues can successfully treat HSV infections, but the emergence of drug resistance to ACV has created a barrier for the treatment of HSV infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. There is an urgent need to explore new and effective tactics to circumvent drug resistance to HSV. This review summarises the current strategies in the development of new targets (the DNA helicase/primase (H/P) complex), new types of molecules (nature products) and new antiviral mechanisms (lethal mutagenesis of Janus-type nucleosides) to fight the drug resistance of HSV.展开更多
Regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) is limited, and CNS damage often leads to cognitive impairment or permanent functional motor and sensory loss. Impaired regenerative capacity is multifactorial and in...Regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) is limited, and CNS damage often leads to cognitive impairment or permanent functional motor and sensory loss. Impaired regenerative capacity is multifactorial and includes inflammation, loss of the blood-brain barrier, and alteration in the extracellular matrix (ECM). One of the main problems is the formation of a glial scar and the production of inhibitory ECM, such as proteoglycans, that generates a physical and mechanical barrier, impeding axonal regrowth (Figure 1A).展开更多
Hypoxia is a condition found commonly in several disorders,such as ischemia,asthma,anemia and neonatal hypoxia.Individuals subjected suddenly to high altitude or extreme exercise are also challenged to low oxygen(O2...Hypoxia is a condition found commonly in several disorders,such as ischemia,asthma,anemia and neonatal hypoxia.Individuals subjected suddenly to high altitude or extreme exercise are also challenged to low oxygen(O2)levels.Since the brain presents elevated basal O_2 consumption,this organ is readily affected by hypoxia.For this reason,展开更多
The influencing factors of sunlight on skin aging were summarized. sunlight for skin aging is not only because of ultraviolet rays, physiological mechanisms of skin premature aging induced by infrared rays and visible...The influencing factors of sunlight on skin aging were summarized. sunlight for skin aging is not only because of ultraviolet rays, physiological mechanisms of skin premature aging induced by infrared rays and visible light is also gradually clear. This paper elaborated the activation and other complicated photoaging ways of the mitochondria, free radicals, aryl hydrocarbon receptors(AhR) and activation of thermo receptors in inflammatory injurys and membrane receptors during the biological effect and photochemical effect of light. based on these, an universal sunlight protection strategy was proposed as upgrade of traditional sunscreens.展开更多
In the past five years the CPC set two centenary goals and the goal to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, which reflects the Party's self-confidence. Meanwhile it has demonstrated greater resolve in ...In the past five years the CPC set two centenary goals and the goal to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, which reflects the Party's self-confidence. Meanwhile it has demonstrated greater resolve in self- improvement, picking up efforts to exercise full and rigorous self-governance.展开更多
Under the context of the New Three-step strategy of Chinese economic development, we use the reverse tracing method and petroleum, natural gas and coal as sources of carbon emissions. To eliminate the impact of region...Under the context of the New Three-step strategy of Chinese economic development, we use the reverse tracing method and petroleum, natural gas and coal as sources of carbon emissions. To eliminate the impact of regional and technological levels in the energy conversion process we improved the IPAT model and used it to predict and analyze China’s per capita carbon emissions in three assumed scenarios up to 2050. We found that China’s per capita carbon emissions peak wil occur respectively in 2020 and 2030 in different assumed scenarios; national per capita carbon emissions wil reach 2.0127–2.6791 tons; China’s per capita carbon emissions wil grow continuously at an average rate of 2.25%–3.40% per year before the peak year and then wil decline at a rate of 1.33%–1.78% per year. By the year of 2050, national per capita carbon emissions wil be 1.3147–1.8817 tons.展开更多
A rice mill survey covering diverse rice processing companies in terms of their milling output, type of technology and year of establishment was conducted to understand the current situation of the rice milling indust...A rice mill survey covering diverse rice processing companies in terms of their milling output, type of technology and year of establishment was conducted to understand the current situation of the rice milling industry and to identify enablers and barriers to its growth in Nepal. Coarse rice varieties dominate Nepal’s rice processing industry, with a 42% share by total weight, followed by medium rice (34%) and fine varieties (less than 7%). Polished white rice (<em>Arwa</em>) was the dominant rice type in Nepal in the survey, followed by parboiled and steamed rice. The price and profit margins increased from coarse to fine rice varieties and from <em>Arwa</em> to parboiled and steamed rice. The cost of milling also followed a similar trend. The rice milling industry in Nepal largely influences the adoption or non-adoption of any specific type of rice variety by dictating specific brands in the market and this has important implications for rice research and development. The rice processing industry of Nepal was unable to compete with the Indian rice milling industry because of: 1) low profit margins due to the high cost of rice production and procurement, 2) a lack of economies of scale, 3) a lack of milling technologies for long and extra-long and steamed rice in the country and a lack of investment to modernize rice milling technology, and 4) unavailability of paddy throughout the year locally. Millers were willing to upgrade their rice milling technology to include high throughput parboiling, steamed rice as well as long and extra-long grain rice. This will be a strategic decision in counteracting the ever-increasing rice imports in Nepal. We believe that the findings of the study will be vital for formulating an appropriate rice research, development and rice processing strategy for Nepal to achieve food and nutritional security and the Sustainable Development Goals.展开更多
Background: The fragile landscapes of the Himalayan region are highly susceptible to natural hazards, and there is ongoing concern about current and potential climate change impacts. This study provides background in...Background: The fragile landscapes of the Himalayan region are highly susceptible to natural hazards, and there is ongoing concern about current and potential climate change impacts. This study provides background information on India's Western Himalayas and reviews evidence of warming as well as variability in precipitation and extreme events.Methods: Understanding and anticipating the impacts of climate change on Himalayan forest ecosystems and the services they provide to people are critical. Efforts to develop and implement effective policies and management strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation requires particular new research initiatives. The various studies initiated and conducted in the region are compiled here.Results: Several new initiatives taken by the Himalayan Forest Research Institute in Shimla are described. This includes new permanent observational field studies, some with mapped trees, in high altitude transitional zones for continuous monitoring of vegetation response. We have also presented new strategies for mitigating potential climate change effects in Himalayan forest ecosystems.Conclusions: Assessment of the ecological and genetic diversity of the Himalayan conifers is required to evaluate potential responses to changing climatic conditions. Conservation strategies for the important temperate medicinal plants need to be developed. The impact of climate change on insects and pathogens in the Himalayas also need to be assessed. Coordinated efforts are necessary to develop effective strategies for adaptation and mitigation.展开更多
The boundaries of manufacturing system have been ex te nded from factory to the international manufacturing network, supply network, va lue network and virtual network in recent decades, driven by intensified competi ...The boundaries of manufacturing system have been ex te nded from factory to the international manufacturing network, supply network, va lue network and virtual network in recent decades, driven by intensified competi tion, fragmented market, globalised collaboration, and advanced technology. However, as the manufacturing system evolves into more and more complicated net work relationship, the fundamental concepts of manufacturing strategy focusing o n a product family and bridging its market, competition and factory system have rarely been adapted to face new challenges from extended system, although the st rategy formation processes are widely discussed from both perspectives in terms of top-down and bottom-up. Coming into the new economy, as manufacturing industry and system have changed their role in both company and society, manufac turing, especially physical fabrications and assembly, has become less critical than ten years ago, and the compatible manufacturing strategy has been also chal lenged by the new rules based on knowledge development and by the new business m odel based on value creation. Manufacturing strategy has to find a position and mechanism contributing itself to the corporate strategy and competitive advanta ge. This paper seeks to answer the question what networked manufacturing systems can imply to the manufacturing strategy, by clarifying some key challenges to the c lassical manufacturing strategy theory, especially from networked manufacturing system and value-based manufacturing strategy perspectives. The paper is based on some preliminary case observations in several multinationa l corporations in aerospace, automotive, engineering and electronics industries. Original objectives are targeted on an evolutionary process of manufacturing system from factory-based system towards globally collaborated inter-firm netw ork, seeking to explain why manufacturing companies evolve into more and more un controllable relationship. The preliminary findings are seriously challenging t he traditional concept of firm and the theory manufacturing strategy developed b y Skinner (1969). Some key findings from the preliminary work include: - value creation is more dependent upon a proposition in the value net than crea tion of competitive edge for existing product line-which ask manufacturing stra tegy should focus more on a higher value - in manufacturing system, leveraging other companies resources seems to be more important than owning these resources - which implies networked virtual enterpr ise is preferred architecture - in inter-firm collaboration, understanding the dynamics and keeping a balance are more and more critical in the spectrum of collaboration from one end of cor porate hierarchy towards another end of free market-which means that a cont ingency picture is more needed than a single supply or virtual network model - from evolution perspective, deeply understandings about internally vertical in tegration, outsourcing, sub-contracting, and manufacturing hollowing-out are n ow more and more important than the single competence knowing how to do them-wh ich means an up-grading towards know-why These new challenges ask new solutions for industry. They imply not only new sy stem architecture of manufacturing system based on an inter-firm relationship b ut new strategy process with a context-based contingency framework. The paper summaries some existing researches and develops a theoretical framework for the new networked manufacturing system. As a preliminary case study, the paper also suggests a further research plan in the future.展开更多
Along with the increase in the consumption of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), the safety of TCM has dramatically attracted the attention and concern of the public. Here, we review previous studies, which focused ma...Along with the increase in the consumption of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), the safety of TCM has dramatically attracted the attention and concern of the public. Here, we review previous studies, which focused mainly on the toxicity of toxic TCM and the interpretations for combination, to elaborate on advances and important issues existing in the safety evaluation of TCM, aiming to provide scientific advice for the clinical use. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of a safe evaluation system for TCM based on the material basis for toxicity, which integrates new toxicity testing strategy and is launched under the guidance of TCM theories in future researches.展开更多
Considering the WHO warning about the emergence of a’post-antibiotic’era during the 21st century in which common infections and minor injuries will have a dramatic impact on human death toll,search for new potential...Considering the WHO warning about the emergence of a’post-antibiotic’era during the 21st century in which common infections and minor injuries will have a dramatic impact on human death toll,search for new potential antibacterial drug targets became a necessary need.Targets that are extensively explored concern the modulation展开更多
文摘Cotton bollworm(Helicoverpa armigera) is an important agricultural pest that causes severe yield loss to crops,particularly to cotton.Transgenic Bt crops have been successful in
文摘The paper mainly studies a new way of combining American culture with English language teaching and learning by means of the VOA Special English feature programs. It is based on a 5-year period of teaching practice, experience and reflection. This interactive, innovative, productive and student-centered approach is a far cry from the rigid, old, unproductive and teacher-centered approach of teaching British and American culture without combining language learning and practice as is commonly used here in Chinese colleges. The author also throws some light on how to use on-line teaching resources and how to cultivate independent learning on the part of the students he has worked with.
文摘BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in women worldwide,second only to breast cancer.Around 80%of women have been infected with human papillomavirus(HPV)in their lifetime.Early screening and treatment are effective means of preventing cervical cancer,but due to economic reasons,many parts of the world do not have free screening programs to protect women’s health.AIM To increase HPV cervical cancer screening in Changsha and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.METHODS Cervical cancer screening included gynecological examination,vaginal secretion examination and HPV high-risk typing testing.Cervical cytology examination(ThinPrep cytology test)was performed for individuals who test positive for HPV types other than 16 and 18.Vaginal colposcopy examination was performed for HPV16 and 18 positive individuals,as well as for those who were positive for ThinPrep cytology test.If the results of vaginal colposcopy examination were abnormal,histopathological examination was performed.We conducted a cost-benefit analysis after 4 years.RESULTS From 2019 to 2022,523437 women aged 35-64 years in Changsha city were screened and 73313 were positive,with a 14%positive rate.The detection rate of precancerous lesions of cervical cancer was 0.6%and the detection rate of cervical cancer was 0.037%.Among 311212 patients who underwent two cancers examinations,the incidence rate was reduced by more than half in the second examination.The average screening cost per woman was 120 RMB.The average cost of detecting early cases was 10619 RMB,with an early detection cost coefficient of 0.083.CONCLUSION Our screening strategy was effective and cost-effective,making it valuable for early diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer.It is worth promoting in economically limited areas.
文摘Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC,Comrade Xi Jinping pools the wisdom of the Communist Party of China(Party for short),focusing on the overall issues,core issues,and key issues under the new situation of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics,has made a series of important speeches,proposed a complete set of strategy for national governing,thus。
文摘Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China,the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has scientifically integrated the two overall situations of the country and the international community as well as the two major issues of development and security,thus forming a series of new concepts,new ideas and new strategies for governing the country.
基金supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciencesthe Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Provincethe National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘Energy is the key to our future.Whether to the production,storage or use of energy,carbon materials could provide a good solution.They are closely related to people’s daily life and regarded as one of the most promising candidates for the flexible electrodes in energy storage devices.Recently,a research team from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology,Chinese Academy of Sciences prepared a
基金the Program of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities(B18030)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21421001 and 21531005)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin City(19JCZDJC37200)the National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents(BX20190157)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2019 M660979)。
文摘The large-scale application of Zn-air battery requires the development of efficient,low-cost,and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and oxygen reduction reaction(ORR).Herein,an electrocatalyst of a Co/Mo C-nanoparticles embedded N-doped carbon(Co/Mo C@N-C)was prepared via the in-situ encapsulation of Co_(2)(CO)_(8)and Mo(CO)6 in ZIF-8 using ball-milling,followed by pyrolysis under an Ar atmosphere.When used as a bifunctional electrocatalyst,the as-prepared Co/Mo C@N-C showed an ORR half-wave potential of 0.824 V in an alkaline medium and an overpotential of only 290 m V for the OER at 10 m A cm^(-2),which was 70 m V lower than Ru O_(2).The Co/Mo C@N-C was also evaluated as a cathode in a solid-state Zn-air battery and delivered a higher peak discharge power density and better cycling stability(over 1600 min)than Pt/C-Ru O_(2).Most importantly,our work provides a new strategy to prepare bifunctional catalysts and promotes their applications in the energy conversion field.
基金the National Natural Science Foundations of China(document no.:81321002,81500860,81300888)a grant from 111 Project of Ministry of Education,China,for fi nancial support
文摘Herpes simplex virus (HSV), a member of the Herpesviridae family, is a significant human pathogen that results in mucocutaneous lesions in the oral cavity or genital infections. Acyclovir (ACV) and related nucleoside analogues can successfully treat HSV infections, but the emergence of drug resistance to ACV has created a barrier for the treatment of HSV infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. There is an urgent need to explore new and effective tactics to circumvent drug resistance to HSV. This review summarises the current strategies in the development of new targets (the DNA helicase/primase (H/P) complex), new types of molecules (nature products) and new antiviral mechanisms (lethal mutagenesis of Janus-type nucleosides) to fight the drug resistance of HSV.
文摘Regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) is limited, and CNS damage often leads to cognitive impairment or permanent functional motor and sensory loss. Impaired regenerative capacity is multifactorial and includes inflammation, loss of the blood-brain barrier, and alteration in the extracellular matrix (ECM). One of the main problems is the formation of a glial scar and the production of inhibitory ECM, such as proteoglycans, that generates a physical and mechanical barrier, impeding axonal regrowth (Figure 1A).
基金Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)INCT-Excitoxicidade e Neuroprotecao and by FINEP research grant “Rede Instituto Brasileiro de Neurociencia (IBN-Net)” #01.06.0842-00
文摘Hypoxia is a condition found commonly in several disorders,such as ischemia,asthma,anemia and neonatal hypoxia.Individuals subjected suddenly to high altitude or extreme exercise are also challenged to low oxygen(O2)levels.Since the brain presents elevated basal O_2 consumption,this organ is readily affected by hypoxia.For this reason,
文摘The influencing factors of sunlight on skin aging were summarized. sunlight for skin aging is not only because of ultraviolet rays, physiological mechanisms of skin premature aging induced by infrared rays and visible light is also gradually clear. This paper elaborated the activation and other complicated photoaging ways of the mitochondria, free radicals, aryl hydrocarbon receptors(AhR) and activation of thermo receptors in inflammatory injurys and membrane receptors during the biological effect and photochemical effect of light. based on these, an universal sunlight protection strategy was proposed as upgrade of traditional sunscreens.
文摘In the past five years the CPC set two centenary goals and the goal to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, which reflects the Party's self-confidence. Meanwhile it has demonstrated greater resolve in self- improvement, picking up efforts to exercise full and rigorous self-governance.
基金National Natural Science Fund of China(51379015)Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars,Ministry of Education of China(2013-46)+3 种基金Humanity and Social Science Foundation of Ministry of Education of China(15YJC790015)Shaanxi Research Fund(2013KW13-01,13D231)Xi’an Social Science Fund(15J24)the Central Universities Fund(2014G2280013,2014G6285067)
文摘Under the context of the New Three-step strategy of Chinese economic development, we use the reverse tracing method and petroleum, natural gas and coal as sources of carbon emissions. To eliminate the impact of regional and technological levels in the energy conversion process we improved the IPAT model and used it to predict and analyze China’s per capita carbon emissions in three assumed scenarios up to 2050. We found that China’s per capita carbon emissions peak wil occur respectively in 2020 and 2030 in different assumed scenarios; national per capita carbon emissions wil reach 2.0127–2.6791 tons; China’s per capita carbon emissions wil grow continuously at an average rate of 2.25%–3.40% per year before the peak year and then wil decline at a rate of 1.33%–1.78% per year. By the year of 2050, national per capita carbon emissions wil be 1.3147–1.8817 tons.
文摘A rice mill survey covering diverse rice processing companies in terms of their milling output, type of technology and year of establishment was conducted to understand the current situation of the rice milling industry and to identify enablers and barriers to its growth in Nepal. Coarse rice varieties dominate Nepal’s rice processing industry, with a 42% share by total weight, followed by medium rice (34%) and fine varieties (less than 7%). Polished white rice (<em>Arwa</em>) was the dominant rice type in Nepal in the survey, followed by parboiled and steamed rice. The price and profit margins increased from coarse to fine rice varieties and from <em>Arwa</em> to parboiled and steamed rice. The cost of milling also followed a similar trend. The rice milling industry in Nepal largely influences the adoption or non-adoption of any specific type of rice variety by dictating specific brands in the market and this has important implications for rice research and development. The rice processing industry of Nepal was unable to compete with the Indian rice milling industry because of: 1) low profit margins due to the high cost of rice production and procurement, 2) a lack of economies of scale, 3) a lack of milling technologies for long and extra-long and steamed rice in the country and a lack of investment to modernize rice milling technology, and 4) unavailability of paddy throughout the year locally. Millers were willing to upgrade their rice milling technology to include high throughput parboiling, steamed rice as well as long and extra-long grain rice. This will be a strategic decision in counteracting the ever-increasing rice imports in Nepal. We believe that the findings of the study will be vital for formulating an appropriate rice research, development and rice processing strategy for Nepal to achieve food and nutritional security and the Sustainable Development Goals.
文摘Background: The fragile landscapes of the Himalayan region are highly susceptible to natural hazards, and there is ongoing concern about current and potential climate change impacts. This study provides background information on India's Western Himalayas and reviews evidence of warming as well as variability in precipitation and extreme events.Methods: Understanding and anticipating the impacts of climate change on Himalayan forest ecosystems and the services they provide to people are critical. Efforts to develop and implement effective policies and management strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation requires particular new research initiatives. The various studies initiated and conducted in the region are compiled here.Results: Several new initiatives taken by the Himalayan Forest Research Institute in Shimla are described. This includes new permanent observational field studies, some with mapped trees, in high altitude transitional zones for continuous monitoring of vegetation response. We have also presented new strategies for mitigating potential climate change effects in Himalayan forest ecosystems.Conclusions: Assessment of the ecological and genetic diversity of the Himalayan conifers is required to evaluate potential responses to changing climatic conditions. Conservation strategies for the important temperate medicinal plants need to be developed. The impact of climate change on insects and pathogens in the Himalayas also need to be assessed. Coordinated efforts are necessary to develop effective strategies for adaptation and mitigation.
文摘The boundaries of manufacturing system have been ex te nded from factory to the international manufacturing network, supply network, va lue network and virtual network in recent decades, driven by intensified competi tion, fragmented market, globalised collaboration, and advanced technology. However, as the manufacturing system evolves into more and more complicated net work relationship, the fundamental concepts of manufacturing strategy focusing o n a product family and bridging its market, competition and factory system have rarely been adapted to face new challenges from extended system, although the st rategy formation processes are widely discussed from both perspectives in terms of top-down and bottom-up. Coming into the new economy, as manufacturing industry and system have changed their role in both company and society, manufac turing, especially physical fabrications and assembly, has become less critical than ten years ago, and the compatible manufacturing strategy has been also chal lenged by the new rules based on knowledge development and by the new business m odel based on value creation. Manufacturing strategy has to find a position and mechanism contributing itself to the corporate strategy and competitive advanta ge. This paper seeks to answer the question what networked manufacturing systems can imply to the manufacturing strategy, by clarifying some key challenges to the c lassical manufacturing strategy theory, especially from networked manufacturing system and value-based manufacturing strategy perspectives. The paper is based on some preliminary case observations in several multinationa l corporations in aerospace, automotive, engineering and electronics industries. Original objectives are targeted on an evolutionary process of manufacturing system from factory-based system towards globally collaborated inter-firm netw ork, seeking to explain why manufacturing companies evolve into more and more un controllable relationship. The preliminary findings are seriously challenging t he traditional concept of firm and the theory manufacturing strategy developed b y Skinner (1969). Some key findings from the preliminary work include: - value creation is more dependent upon a proposition in the value net than crea tion of competitive edge for existing product line-which ask manufacturing stra tegy should focus more on a higher value - in manufacturing system, leveraging other companies resources seems to be more important than owning these resources - which implies networked virtual enterpr ise is preferred architecture - in inter-firm collaboration, understanding the dynamics and keeping a balance are more and more critical in the spectrum of collaboration from one end of cor porate hierarchy towards another end of free market-which means that a cont ingency picture is more needed than a single supply or virtual network model - from evolution perspective, deeply understandings about internally vertical in tegration, outsourcing, sub-contracting, and manufacturing hollowing-out are n ow more and more important than the single competence knowing how to do them-wh ich means an up-grading towards know-why These new challenges ask new solutions for industry. They imply not only new sy stem architecture of manufacturing system based on an inter-firm relationship b ut new strategy process with a context-based contingency framework. The paper summaries some existing researches and develops a theoretical framework for the new networked manufacturing system. As a preliminary case study, the paper also suggests a further research plan in the future.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81630102 and No.81803833)
文摘Along with the increase in the consumption of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), the safety of TCM has dramatically attracted the attention and concern of the public. Here, we review previous studies, which focused mainly on the toxicity of toxic TCM and the interpretations for combination, to elaborate on advances and important issues existing in the safety evaluation of TCM, aiming to provide scientific advice for the clinical use. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of a safe evaluation system for TCM based on the material basis for toxicity, which integrates new toxicity testing strategy and is launched under the guidance of TCM theories in future researches.
文摘Considering the WHO warning about the emergence of a’post-antibiotic’era during the 21st century in which common infections and minor injuries will have a dramatic impact on human death toll,search for new potential antibacterial drug targets became a necessary need.Targets that are extensively explored concern the modulation