Edible agro-products quality and safety in China

Ensuring an acceptable level of edible agro-products quality and safety is necessary to provide adequate protection for con- sumers. It is the first time that we analyzed the edible agro-products quality and safety issues in the supply chain, including production, processing, circulation, and consumption. The results indicate that the agro-products quality and safety levels improves steadily, and the supervision system and standardization system are both enhanced significantly, however, certain challenges still remain in each stage of the supply chain and the entire supervision process. Finally, five recommendations regarding four aspects （production, processing, circulation, and consumption） are concluded.

The Status Quo of Chinese Agro-products Logistics and the Establishment of the Third-Party Logistics Mode

The status quo of Chinese agro-products logistics is analyzed from the following five aspects:the circulation mode,exchange mode,storage and transportation situation,food security.The following problems in Chinese agro-products logistics are pointed out,including excessive circulation sections,bad time efficiency,single payment,slow circulation,backward information processing,obvious bullwhip effect,low logistics efficiency,low logistics technology,inadequate professional equipments,low standardization degree,organized operation mode and low degree of scale.The third-party logistics mode of agro-products is analyzed and the advantages of the mode are analyzed as well.Firstly,establishing information network through integrating circulation section to accelerate the circulation of agro-products;secondly,making the operation norms by providing professional equipments to secure the quality of agricultural products;thirdly,improving the core competitiveness of the whole logistics chain by intensifying specialized work division in each section of the supply chain;fourthly,through forming scale economy to reduce logistics costs and increase the diversity of products;fifthly,through signing contracts to clarify duties and responsibilities and materialize the profit integration of the supply chain.The measures for establishing the third-party logistics of agro-products are put forward,including establish the awareness and concept of socialized logistics services;intensify the support on the third-party logistics enterprises of agro-products;lay stress on the cultivation of logistics talents of agro-products;and vigorously apply the modern marketing means.

Effect of microwave-vacuum drying(MVD)method on quality properties of agro-products

Microwave-vacuum drying is an accepted drying method for agro-products, which is nonetheless still relatively unknown to some. This paper attempted to give an overview of the most important aspects of microwaves-vacuum drying （MVD） and their relevance to agro-products processing. Some advantages on microwave-vacuum drying properties were discussed to provide a better insight into the reasons for the use of microwaves. Also the effects of the MVD on the quality of several agro-products and reasonable processing parameters were given, which develop the guidance to the application of MVD on the agro-products dehydration. As a potential drying technology, MVD will be broadly utilized for the other agro-products processing

Self-sufficient Cytochrome P450s and their potential applications in biotechnology

Cytochrome P450s(CYPs)are ubiquitously found in all kingdoms of life,playing important role in various biosynthetic pathways as well as degradative pathways;accordingly find applications in a vast variety of areas from organic synthesis and drug metabolite production to modification of biomaterials and bioremediation.Significantly,CYPs catalyze chemically challenging CAH and CAC activation reactions using a reactive high-valent iron-oxo intermediate generated upon dioxygen activation at their heme center,while the other oxygen atom is reduced to the level of water by electrons provided through a reductase partner protein.Self-sufficient CYPs,encoding their heme domain and reductase protein in a single polypeptide,facilitate increased catalytic efficiency and render a less complicated system to work with.The self-sufficient CYP enzyme from CYP102A family(CYP102A1,BM3)is among the earliest and most-investigated model enzymes for mechanistic and structural studies as well as for biotechnological applications.An increasing number of self-sufficient CYPs from the same CYP102 family and from other families have also been reported in last decade.In this review,we introduce chemistry and biology of CYPs,followed by an overview of the characteristics of self-sufficient CYPs and representative reactions.Enzyme engineering efforts leading to novel self-sufficient CYP variants that can catalyze synthetically useful natural and non-natural(nature-mimicking)reactions are highlighted.Lastly,the strategy and efforts that aim to circumvent the challenges for improved thermostability,regio-and enantioselectivity,and total turnover number;associated with practical use of self-sufficient CYPs are reviewed.

The Economic Rationality and Institutional Driving Force of Edible Agro-products Enterprises Adopting ISO9000 Standards

This paper analyzed the economic rationality and institutional driving force of edible agro-products enterprises adopting ISO9000 standards,and built the theoretical analysis framework of enterprises adopting ISO9000 standards.The results indicated that the enterprises adopted ISO9000 standards form a variety of promoting product quality and safety business strategy options based on the considerations that getting economic efficiency and the access to resources.Based on the results,some recommendations were given for stimulating enterprises to adopt ISO9000 standards.

Energy analyses for the energetically self-sufficient supercritical water oxidation process

One of the bottle-neck problems to the commercial development of supercritlcal water oxidation （SCWO） is high operation cost. In this study the condition to realize an energetically self-sufficient SCWO process is analyzed. The reaction heat is recovered by means of Organic Rankine Circle. The process of SCWO for phenol is simulated with the Aspen Plus~ process simulator, and the results show that the influence of temperature on reaction heat is small at a constant pressure. It is reasonable to neglect the effect of temperature and to estimate the heat of reaction with average temperature when the temperature changes in a small range. The necessary condition to realize an energetically self-sufficient SCWO process is that the released energy is not less than consumed one. Whether a waste system with given chemical composition is energeticallyself-sufficient can be estimated by ^QR^QH 〉 W The thermodynamics analysis shows that energetically self-sufficient SCWO process with an Organic Rankine Cycle is a feasible technology for the recovery of SCWO reaction heat,and the energy balance point for phenol is 2wt%.

Changing Demand for Agro-products and Restructuring on Agro-production

Upon the analysis on the commodity natures and consumption features at different economic development periods, it is concluded that the commodity natures and consumption features of agricultural products display their evolvements by three phases. What＇s more, twice critical modification might arise, one is innovational, the other, transitional. In addition, the two key variables are discussed in the article that reflect economic index of agricultural products, the evolution rule of the weighted coefficient, production P and Quality Q. Sequentially, it is pointed out that the restructuring nature of agricultural production is to restructure the agricultural operation capability to adapt to the market, the target is to transform agricultural production to agricultural economy, and the principle abided by is benefit drive and market guide.

Assessment on Energy Self-Sufficiency Rate for Building Integrated Photovoltaics and Fuel Cell System in Japan

A building integrated photovoltaic (PV) and fuel cell (FC) system is proposed for assessment of the energy self-sufficiency rate in a city in Japan. The electricity consumed in the building is mainly supplied by solar panels, while the gap between the energy demand and supply is solved by the FC that is powered by the H2 produced by water electrolysis with surplus power of PV. A desktop case study of using the proposed system in Tsu city which is located in central part of Japan, has been conducted. The results found that the self-sufficiency rates of PV system to electricity demand of households (RPV) during the daytime in April and July are higher than those in January and October. The results also reveal that the self-sufficiency rate of FC system to the electricity demand (RFC) is 15% - 38% for the day when the mean amount of horizontal solar radiation is obtained in January, April, July and October. In addition, it is found the optimum tilt angle of solar panel installed on the roof of the buildings should be 0 degree, i.e., placed horizontally.

Researches on Risk Evaluation of Green Agro-product Closed Supply Chain

Closed supply chain is a superior form of management model of chain supply and an effective means of improving the modernization of agro-product circulation. Based on the research results of the current literatures on supply chain risk and agro-product supply chain, related subjects of the agro-product closed supply chain involving production, management and consumption are studied and analyzed and the primary risking factors in the supply chain system are classified as environmental risk, system risk, information risk, management risk and quality risk. Risk of agro-product closed supply chain is evaluated by using the method of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and the values are acquired. The result shows that risk of agro-product closed supply chain is moderate with relatively high risk, which basically accords with the present actual situations. It can be seen from the index weights of various levels that the key first-level indices influencing the risks are system risk, information risk, quality and safety risk and the key second-level are the coordinating and controlling ability of core enterprises, the implementation of information traceability and the construction of quality safety system. Therefore, risk of agro-product closed supply chain should be reduced by taking prevention and controlling measures mainly from these aspects.

ROLE OF REMOTE SENSING IN ACHIEVING NATIONAL FOOD SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND FOOD SECURITY

This paper seeks to explore the role of Remote Sensing in solving the agriculture related problems, which are the basic issues of sustainable development.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Energy Self-Sufficiency of Woody Biomass Utilization for Residential Heating: A Case Study of Nishiwaga, Japan

Renewable energy sources, including bioenergy, are presently attracting considerable attention as possible substitutes for fossil fuels. Among the various sources of bioenergy, biomass can arguably play a significant role in the reduction of greenhouse gases and the provision of a stable energy supply. However, the use of fossil fuels continues in the production of bioenergy. Consequently, the overall extent to which biomass utilization for energy can reduce carbon dioxide emissions as a substitute for fossil fuels and whether this can improve the energy self-sufficiency rate remains largely unknown. This study responds to these questions using a case of a Japanese rural community using firewood for residential heating. The results showed that woody biomass utilization for energy is able to both reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. These findings offer new insights into the development of sustainability in rural communities.

Sharp Decline in the Food Self-sufficiency Ratio in Japan and Its Future Prospects

Most Japanese are enjoying rich and convenient dietary habits nowadays. However, majorities of Japanese are feeling anxiety about the future food supply because Japan＇s food self-sufficiency ratio has fallen most rapidly in the last 45 years, and is lowest amongst countries with a population of more than 100 million. Major causes and mechanisms of the decline in the food self-sufficiency ratio over the last 45 years were analyzed. Drastic changes of dietary habits under rapid economic growth and sharp appreciation of the yen against the US dollar were found to be the major causes of the sharp decline of the food self-sufficiency ratio. Preliminary projections about the food self-sufficiency ratio in 2015 were carried out, and it was found that it will not be easy to achieve the policy goal of raising the food self-sufficiency ratio to 45% by 2015.

Strategies for Promoting Rice Self-sufficiency in Sierra Leone

Rice is the main food of Sierra Leoneans and an important source of employment and income for rural communities. According to the West African Rice Development Association report, annual consumption of rice is amongst the highest in SubSaharan Africa（SSA）, 104 kg. Mainly, small scale farmers who are resource poor on both the upland and various lowlands grow rice. Sierra Leone has not been able to produce enough rice to meet its local consumption demand for a very long time now. 530 000 MT of milled rice is the required consumption need of the Sierra Leonean population per annum. In 2007, national paddy rice production was projected at 638 000 MT. The level of rice self-sufficiency rose from 50.57% in 2002 to 62.15% in 2006 and then to 63.49% in 2007. The remainder must be imported at increasingly expensive prices in the current situation of high food prices, which includes rice. The price of rice has seen a steady increase in the entire country. What most affected by this, is the low-income urban and peri-urban households. The promotion of domestic rice production is therefore a key element in the strategies for improving rice self-sufficiency, stimulating economic growth and increasing rural income. Therefore, supporting rice production programme is the only solution to pull the country out of the worsening rice situation and maintain the present trend in rice self-sufficiency. Therefore, having an understanding of the strategic interventions in rice production in Sierra Leone is an important ingredient in the promotion and attainment of rice self-sufficiency.

A Quantitative Factorial Component Analysis to Investigate the Recent Changes of Japan’s Weight-Based Food Self-Sufficiency Ratio

We investigate the weight-based food self-sufficiency ratio (WSSR) for Japan over a 50-year period (1961-2011) by applying factorial component analysis technique in order to measure the changes of the WSSR quantitatively. Quantitative data analysis is employed to determine the drivers of those changes. Numerical results show that Japan experienced a drastic decline in its food self-sufficiency ratio (FSSR) during the above period. The factorial component analysis shows that such a decline was caused by the changes in the FSSR of the food groups/items, not in the quantity of the food supply. A number of characteristics of those changes are presented and a list of major food groups that have major impacts on the changes is constructed. The findings in this paper reiterate the alarming food security problem in Japan and provide clear insight into the causes of this problem. The findings in this study pick up where previous studies have left off, aid the food-related policy-making process and identify new ideas for future food research.

Empirical Analysis of Agricultural Policy Impacts of Senegal for food Self-sufficiency： The Stochastic Frontier Production of Rice and Maize in Senegal River Valley

The stochastic production function estimates of rice and maize in Senegal River Valley demonstrate the possibility to reach self-sufficiency of rice in Senegal. Nonetheless, its fulfillment requires many accompanying measures in rice and maize production. These measures include all upstream and downstream activities related to agricultural production for their efficiency and sustainability in rice and maize production to maintain the country＇s comparative advantages and competitiveness. Then priorities should be given to agricultural infrastructure building, establishment of credit markets, and providing an easy access of production factors （e.g., improved land, fertilizers, improved and certified seeds, as well as agricultural machines）. Furthermore, policy makers should provide a larger incentive in terms of producer price to encourage farmers to increase considerably their outputs, thereby farmers face smaller risk of having non-sold outputs. And during an early harvesting period, appropriate policy measures are in need to prevent farmers from dumping their products under severe social and economic pressures such as children schooling and loan payment, etc

CHINA'S INDISPENSABLE WAY TO GRAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY

In China’s countryside today, so far the foodstuffs for daily-life subsistence are still taken from the traditional farming production in addition to the yield of animal husbandry, while crop plantation takes the lion’s share in our rural economy. During the Medieval Age of the Western countries, however, special stress was placed on raising livestock on pastureland until the Industrial Revolution occurred in the 18th century when grain-oriented agriculture came into being. As a result of the unprecedented boom of modern science and technology now sweeping the whole world, farming productivity has sky-

“Eternal Motion” as a “Form of Movement of a Special Nature” and the Main Condition for the Creation of the Universe

The article hypothesizes that DE and DM (UCM) are a “Form of Motion of a Special Nature”, where “Form of Motion” means “Eternal Motion” as the power of dynamics of different levels and varying degrees of self-sufficiency, and by “Special Nature”, gravitational and two other properties of matter, “tied” to the “Eternal Movement” and completely dependent on it. Carriers of key properties of a “Special Nature” have been established: “0”-DE particles and “3”-DM particles (UDM). The unity of their inherent “motionally-gravitational” properties and the peculiarity of the relationship between “motion” and “gravity” are revealed: the higher the intensity of “Eternal Motion”, the stronger the gravitational properties of matter are manifested (and vice versa). The relationship of “time” with the “vibration frequency” and the “mass” of photons with the “degree of bonding and deformation properties of the field” is shown. The maximum level of gravity has been determined, which allows Nature to successfully create the Universe: such a landmark is the proximity to the property of the Primary Source—the “pure graviton” of the OSP space, the most powerful “motionally-gravitational” particle of the Universe. The reasons for the emergence of such an identity of the gravitational properties of particles with the indicators of a “pure graviton” are established: for “0”-DE particles, this is the acquisition of the function of “freedom of movement”;for “3”-DM particles (UDM), the creation of a special structure—a “double field” (“Main” and “Small”). The presence in the “double field” of specific “tools” for the creation of the worlds of the Universe—gravitational “waves” gives rise to impulses (shocks) of varying intensity and shape. A list of functions performed by “waves” in the “Main” and “Small” fields has been compiled. The specific conditions for the formation of “UDM Streams”, their transformation into a “Vortex” and, under the influence of a powerful Initial Impulse (push), sending them to the “place” of the creation of galaxies, are shown. It is suggested that there is a “Cycle of Matter in Nature” in the closed structure of our Universe due to the “work” of “waves” and the functioning of special “factories” in the form of exotic space objects—Black holes.

Modeling the effects of urbanization on grain production and consumption in China

The impact of rapid urbanization on food security of China has received considerable attention.It is not clear whether China can strike a balance between urbanization and food security,especially grain security.There have been numerous studies examining the effects of urbanization on grain production or consumption,but few studies have yet analyzed grain balances.Based on the Chinese World Agricultural Regional Market Equilibrium Model（CWARMEM）,this paper explores the impacts of urbanization on national and regional grain balances through different scenarios.The CWARMEM is a global partial equilibrium multimarket model which captures the differences between urban and rural residents as well as the effects of globalization.The results show that urbanization has a small negative effect on maintaining grain self-sufficiency.Despite of that,China is able to achieve the objective of grain security set by its policymakers.Moreover,urbanization changes regional grain balances across China：The position of Northeast China and North China,as two dominant grain suppliers of China,will be weaken;Central China and East China will increase dependence on other grain suppliers;the grain surplus of Northwest China will increase slightly.Besides,in terms of grain category,urbanization helps China achieve self-sufficiency in food grain（rice and wheat）,while expands deficit of feed grain（maize）.

Factors influencing near infrared spectroscopy analysis of agro-products: a review

The near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy technique has wide applications in agriculture with the advantages of being nondestructive, sensitive, safe and rapid. However, there are still more than 40 error sources influencing the robustness and accuracy of its calibration and operation. Environmental, sample and instrument factors that influence the analysis are discussed in this review, including temperature, humidity and other factors that introduce uncertainty. Error sources from livestock products, fruit and vegetables, which are the most common objects in the field of NIR analysis, are also emphasized in the second part. In addition, studies utilizing different instruments, spectral pretreatments, variable selection methods, wavelength ranges, detection modes and calibration methods are tabulated to illustrate the complications they introduce and how they influence NIR analysis. It is suggested that large scale of data with abundant varieties can be used to build a more robust calibration model, in order to improve the robustness and accuracy of the NIR analytical model, and overcome problems caused by confining analysis to too many uniform samples.

Impact of Climatic Change on Agricultural Production and Response Strategies in China

A number of studies indicate that global climate warming has been increasing, especially in recent decades. Climate warming greatly affects global agro-production and food security-- becoming a hotspot of global environmental change. This paper proposes a structural and orientational framework for scientifically addressing climatic change impact on agroroduction. Through literature reviews and comparative studies, the paper systematically summarizes influencing mechanisms and impact of climate warming on such agro-production factors as light, temperature, soil quality and water environment. The impact of climate warm- ing on cultivation regions, cropping systems, crop pests, agro- production capacity, agro-economy and farm management is analyzed. Then, suitable climate-adapting agro-development strategies are put forward for different regions in China. The strategies are carefully selected from a repository of international tested climatic change countermeasures in agriculture at national or district level.