How Land Use Policies Are Transforming Shifting Cultivation to Short Fallow Systems and Permanent Cultivation of Annual Crops in Tanzania

Recent studies show that shifting cultivation in Tanzania has transformed into more intensive farming practices. One of the drivers of this shift is the implementation of policies that favor sedentary farming. However, there is inadequate information on how this transformation operates at the village level. Based on a case study of one village in Central Tanzania, this study demonstrates that the village land use plan is the primary policy tool for the transformation and intensification of shifting cultivation at the village level. Through the land use planning process, land is allocated only for lawful uses such as settlement, permanent cultivation, and the village forest reserve. No land is designated for shifting cultivation. Additionally, the land use plans are accompanied by by-laws that restrict shifting cultivation practices, such as the use of fire during land preparation and leaving the land fallow for more than 3 years. The intensification of shifting cultivation was not associated with an increase in the use of farm inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizer, or irrigation, as is commonly practiced in sustainable intensive agriculture. Instead, it was associated with the adoption of short fallow farming systems and labor-intensive land preparation methods, such as deep plowing to loosen the soil and sub-soiling vegetation.

Using structured systems analysis to design an integrated system for transport planning and environmental analysis

This paper applies Yourdon's (1989) structured systems analysis techniques to transport planning, and the environmental analysis of transport plans. It is usual for planners to treat these activities as separate processes or 'systems'. Six serious shortcomings are identified in prevailing approaches to accounting for the environmental impacts of transport plans. The application of systems analysis has elucidated opportunities for overcoming these problems by integrating the two processes. The paper highlights the benefits of using these methods to direct research into, and development of, an integrated transport planning- environmental analysis system. Techniques applied are data flow diagrams, a Venn diagram and an entity-relationship diagram. Significant potential exists for integration within a geographic information system(GIS), although adoption of integrated methods by transport planners is likely to be incremental. Research confirms the usefulness of systems analysis in guiding the development of a GIS application to accommodate integrated transport planning and environmental analysis. Systems analysis also facilitates more careful and effective design of the databases underlying GIS analysis.

A comparison of strategic mine planning approaches for in-pit crushing and conveying, and truck/shovel systems

In a global environment where energy and labor are becoming increasingly expensive, continuous mining systems such as In-Pit Crushing and Conveying(IPCC) systems have been advanced as offering a real alternative to conventional truck haulage systems. The implementation of IPCC systems in hard rock operations in open pit mines however requires different and more comprehensive planning approaches in order to adequately reflect the practical aspects associated with these. This paper investigates the impact that these approaches may have on the implementation of IPCC systems on a basic metalliferous deposit amenable to open pit exploitation. A strategic life of mine plan to provide numerous economic indicators for each approach is analyzed and compared to traditional truck haulage systems. The mine planning and evaluation process highlights the increased overall resource recovery that may accompany the use of IPCC systems. This investigation also provides insights into the issues associated with IPCC and the scale and type of operation and orebody that is likely to provide a feasible alternative to truck haulage.

System security of hybrid AC-HVDC-systems challenges and new approaches for combined security assessment,preventive optimization and curative actions

The intense application of Voltage Source Converter based HVDC interconnections and grids will result in a hybrid AC-HVDC-system. The operation of such a system becomes complex regarding system security and system operation. This paper describes major challenges and proposes potential solutions, including a combined security assessment, preventive optimization and curative actions. A coordination of both systems enables an efficient application of existing transport capacity.

Application of Structuration Theory and Activity Theory in Enterprise Resources Planning Systems Implementation for Universities

An integration of organization culture in the conceptualization and development of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems （ERPs） is critical for an organization to reap potential benefits of the system. In this paper, the authors present an analytical approach through the Structuration Theory： How a university can assess its culture for the purposes of design and development of the ERPs. The authors extend the Structuration Theory by integrating it with the Activity Theory to provide the means of evaluating the activities that the system is to perform. The modified Orlikowski model is applied to depict the relationship between institutional properties, human agents, and technology in the university setup and how this offers a more inclusive approach to ERP systems development and implementation.

Design of Cellular Manufacturing Systems Considering Dynamic Production Planning and Worker Assignments

This article presents a comprehensive mathematical model for the design and analysis of Dynamic Cellular Manufacturing Systems （DCMS）. The proposed DCMS model considers several manufacturing attributes such as multi period production planning, dynamic system reconfiguration, duplicate machines, machine capacity, the available time for workers, worker assignments, and machine procurement. The objective is to minimize total costs; consisting of holding cost, outsourcing cost, inter-cell material handling cost, maintenance and overhead cost, machine relocation cost. While a study of published articles in the area of Cellular Manufacturing Systems （CMS） shows that workforce management issues have not sufficiently been addressed in the literature, the model presented also incorporates CMS workforce management issues such as salaries, hiring and firing costs of workers in addition to the manufacturing attributes. In-depth discussions on the results for two numerical examples are presented to illustrate applications of the proposed model. The model developed aims to raise the envelope by expanding and improving several CMS models previously presented in the literature.

Comparison of Dosiology between Three Dimensional Conformal and Intensity-modulated Radiotherapies (5 and 7 fields) in Gastric Cancer Post-surgery

The purpose of this study was to compare the dose distribution of intensity-modulated ra- diotherapy （IMRT） in 7 and 5 fields as well as 3-D conformal radiotherapy （3D-CRT） plans for gastric cancer using dosimetric analysis. In 15 patients with gastric cancer after D1 resection, dosimetric pa- rameters for IMRT （7 and 5 fields） and 3D-CRT were calculated with a total dose of 45 Gy （1.8 Gy/day） These parameters included the conformal index （CI）, homogeneity index （HI）, maximum dose spot for the planned target volume （PTV）, dose-volume histogram （DVH） and dose distribution in the organs at risk （OAR）, mean dose （Dmean）, maximal dose （Dmax） in the spinal cord, percentage of the normal liver volume receiving more than 30 Gy （V30） and percentage of the normal kidney volume receiving more than 20 Gy （V20）. IMRT （7 and 5 fields） and 3D-CRT achieved the PTV coverage. However, IMRT presented significantly higher CI and HI values and lower maximum dose spot distribution than 3D-CRT （P=0.001）. For dose distribution of OAR, IMRT had a significantly lower Dmean and Dmax in spinal cord than 3D-CRT （P=-0.009）. There was no obvious difference in V30 of liver and V20 of kidney between IMRT and 3D-CRT, but 5-field IMRT showed lower Dmean in the normal liver than other two plans （P=0.001）. IMRT revealed favorable tumor coverage as compared to 3D-CRT and IMRT plans. Specifically, 5-field IMRT plan was superior to 3D-CRT in protecting the spinal cord and liver, but this superiority was not observed in the kidney. Further studies are needed to compare differences among the three approaches.

Capacity planning of hydro-wind-solar hybrid power systems considering hydropower forbidden zones

In the capacity planning of hydro-wind-solar power systems(CPHPS),it is crucial to use flexible hydropower to complement the variable wind-solar power.Hydropower units must be operated such that they avoid specific restricted operation zones,that is,forbidden zones(FZs),to avoid the risks associated with hydropower unit vibration.FZs cause limitations in terms of both the hydropower generation and flexible regulation in the hydro-wind-solar power systems.Therefore,it is essential to consider FZs when determining the optimal wind-solar power capacity that can be compensated by the hydropower.This study presents a mathematical model that incorporates the FZ constraints into the CPHPS problem.Firstly,the FZs of the hydropower units are converted into those of the hydropower plants based on set theory.Secondly,a mathematical model was formulated for the CPHPS,which couples the FZ constraints of hydropower plants with other operational constraints(e.g.,power balance constraints,new energy consumption limits,and hydropower generation functions).Thirdly,dynamic programming with successive approximations is employed to solve the proposed model.Lastly,case studies were conducted on the hydro-wind-solar system of the Qingshui River to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model.

Treatment refractory mast cell leukemia with dominant gastrointestinal manifestation and concomitant skin symptoms:A case report

BACKGROUND Mast cell leukemia(MCL),a subtype of systemic mastocytosis(SM),is an extremely rare clinical entity characterized by a very poor prognosis.Chemotherapy,tyrosine kinase inhibitors,and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation are the only treatment options,but they cannot provide the desired outcomes in most cases of MCL.However,other types of SM can be successfully treated.The disease has no specific manifestation,but gastroenterological symptoms are present in most cases.CASE SUMMARY The authors,hereby,report a case of a 46-year-old female patient diagnosed with MCL-the rarest subtype of SM.The patient presented to the gastroenterology clinic with multiple,various,and unspecific gastroenterological symptoms.Concomitance of skin lesions significantly contributed to a relatively prompt diagnosis.The serum tryptase level was extremely high and bone the marrow aspirate showed an infiltration of atypical mast cells.The disease was rapidly progressive and primary refractory to chemotherapy and the patient succumbed to the illness about a month after the initiation of treatment.CONCLUSION Despite its“hematological nature”,MCL,in most cases presents dominantly with unspecific gastroenterological symptoms.Thus,a high disease awareness among physicians other than hematologists is necessary to improve treatment outcomes.Serum tryptase level,due to its non-invasive nature and easy access,may serve as an initial step to estimate the probability of mastocytosis.

Nonlinear Characteristics of Systems and Its Application in Urban Planning DSS

This paper is devoted to analyzing nonlinear characteristics of complex systems. Since traditional linear system methods need to be improved, a nonlinear computational mathematics methods should be introduced to system engineering researches. Due to the lack of complete nonlinear theory, we suggest human intelligence be combined with calculating capacity of computer.Thereafter, a tentative ideal on an urban planning DSS with man-computer integration is proposed.

Refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and ulcerative colitis:A case report

BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)are both systemic immunoreactive diseases,and their pathogenesis depends on the interaction between genes and environmental factors.There are no reports of UC with SLE in China,but six cases of SLE with UC have been reported in China.The combination of these two diseases has distinct effects on the pathogenesis of both diseases.CASE SUMMARY A female patient(30 years old)came to our hospital due to dull umbilical pain,diarrhea and mucous bloody stool in August 2018 and was diagnosed with UC.The symptoms were relieved after oral administration of mesalazine(1 g po tid)or folic acid(5 mg po qd),and the patient were fed a control diet.On June 24,2019,the patient was admitted for treatment due to anemia and tinnitus.During hospitalization,the patient had repeated low-grade fever and a progressively decreased Hb level.Blood tests revealed positive antinuclear antibody test,positive anti-dsDNA antibody,0.24 g/L C3(0.9-1.8 g/L),0.04 g/L C4(0.1-0.4 g/L),32.37 g/L immunoglobulin(8-17 g/L),and 31568.1 mg/24 h total 24-h urine protein(0-150 mg/24 h).The patient was diagnosed with SLE involving the joints,kidneys and blood system.Previously reported cases of SLE were retrieved from PubMed to characterize clinicopathological features and identify prognostic factors for SLE.CONCLUSION The patient was discharged in remission after a series of treatments,such as intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate,intravenous human immunoglobulin,cyclophosphamide injection,and plasma exchange.After discharge,the patient took oral prednisone acetate tablets,cyclosporine capsules,hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets and other treatments for symptoms and was followed up regularly for 1 month,after which the patient's condition continued to improve and stabilize.

Successful management of infection and macrophage activation syndrome patient using low-dose etoposide:A case report

BACKGROUND Macrophage activation syndrome(MAS),a sub-type of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis(HLH)secondary to autoimmune rheumatic diseases,is a critical and potentially fatal condition characterized by an excessive inflammatory response.Despite the established efficacy of the HLH-2004 guideline in diagnosing and treating HLH over the years,ongoing discussion persists regarding its application,especially for HLH secondary to complicated conditions,such as autoimmune rheumatic diseases combined with severe infection.Etoposide(VP-16),a topoisomerase II inhibitor that effectively induces DNA damage and subsequent apoptosis in hyperactivated immune cells,has been widely used for the treatment of HLH.However,its suppressive effect on immune system may also cause potential exacerbation of infection in autoimmune rheumatic disease-induced HLH patients complicated with severe infection.Therefore,the use of VP-16 in such cases was inconclusive.CASE SUMMARY In this case study,we propose a potentially effective strategy for managing a patient diagnosed with secondary HLH complicated with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)and chronic coronavirus disease 2019 infection.Our approach involves early administration of low-dose VP-16(100 mg twice a week,300 mg in total),combined with methylprednisolone,cyclophosphamide,and cyclosporine A.The administration of etoposide effectively led to improvements in various indices of HLH.CONCLUSION Low dose etoposide proves to be an effective approach in alleviating HLH while mitigating the risk of infection.

Energy-efficient joint UAV secure communication and 3D trajectory optimization assisted by reconfigurable intelligent surfaces in the presence of eavesdroppers

We consider a scenario where an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV),a typical unmanned aerial system(UAS),transmits confidential data to a moving ground target in the presence of multiple eavesdroppers.Multiple friendly reconfigurable intelligent surfaces(RISs) help to secure the UAV-target communication and improve the energy efficiency of the UAV.We formulate an optimization problem to minimize the energy consumption of the UAV,subject to the mobility constraint of the UAV and that the achievable secrecy rate at the target is over a given threshold.We present an online planning method following the framework of model predictive control(MPC) to jointly optimize the motion of the UAV and the configurations of the RISs.The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated via computer simulations.

Beyond Defense: Proactive Approaches to Disaster Recovery and Threat Intelligence in Modern Enterprises

As cyber threats keep changing and business environments adapt, a comprehensive approach to disaster recovery involves more than just defensive measures. This research delves deep into the strategies required to respond to threats and anticipate and mitigate them proactively. Beginning with understanding the critical need for a layered defense and the intricacies of the attacker’s journey, the research offers insights into specialized defense techniques, emphasizing the importance of timely and strategic responses during incidents. Risk management is brought to the forefront, underscoring businesses’ need to adopt mature risk assessment practices and understand the potential risk impact areas. Additionally, the value of threat intelligence is explored, shedding light on the importance of active engagement within sharing communities and the vigilant observation of adversary motivations. “Beyond Defense: Proactive Approaches to Disaster Recovery and Threat Intelligence in Modern Enterprises” is a comprehensive guide for organizations aiming to fortify their cybersecurity posture, marrying best practices in proactive and reactive measures in the ever-challenging digital realm.

The Practice and Exploration of Applying EBM to Bilingual Teaching of Medical Genetics at OSBCM

In the process of teaching medical genetics of undergraduate clinical medicine, the practice and exploration of applying EBM to the bilingual teaching of OSBCM medical genetics are carried out. Using CBL and PBL as the carrier can make up for the shortcomings of a single teaching mode, synthesize the advantages of multiple teaching modes. It starts from integrating the basic theoretical knowledge of medicine and clinical practice knowledge, improving students’ bilingual level of medical genetics, cultivating students’ literature retrieval ability, and promoting early clinical, multi-clinical and repeated clinical consciousness for medical students. Therefore, it is more conducive to cultivate students’ ability to learn independently, accurately analyze and solve problems, improve medical students’ clinical thinking ability and scientific research awareness, improve medical students’ ability of international communication, and lay a solid foundation for improving medical students’ future post competence, innovative spirit and lifelong learning ability.

新工科背景下“无人机地面站与任务规划”课程设计

“无人机地面站与任务规划”作为无人驾驶航空器系统工程专业的一门核心专业课程,探讨在“新工科”建设背景下课程具体内容,通过理论教学与研究实验实践教学相结合的方式进行课程设计,以顺应时代要求和人才培养需求。该研究可为无人机相关专业课程建设提供借鉴。

北非绿色能源发展与中国-北非绿色能源合作展望

北非地区绿色能源自然禀赋较为理想,北非各国均把绿色能源发展作为推动能源转型和实现经济多元化的重要举措,并制定了相应的绿色能源发展战略规划,为长期发展谋篇布局。北非国家虽然绿色能源开发潜力巨大,但尚未形成较为完整的发展体系,仍存在发展不均衡、不充分等问题。中国绿色能源高质量发展居于全球领先地位,成为北非拓展绿色能源合作的重要选择。中国在积极推动全球能源治理、气候治理过程中,在中非、中阿绿色发展合作的整体框架下,逐步加大与北非地区的绿色能源合作,在太阳能发电、风力发电、水力发电、绿氢等领域取得了一定成果。未来,中国与北非国家绿色能源合作应着眼于双方绿色能源发展优势与需求,积极拓展融资渠道,探索“绿色能源+”合作模式,促进北非地区本土就业,加强人才培养与交流,力争不断完善并深化中国与北非绿色能源合作。

应急情报系统中案例本体设计及应用

对应急情报系统中案例本体构建方法进行研究,为应急案例构建统一的术语字典及各个术语间的关系及限制,以提高应用案例的使用效率。在分析应急情报案例本体设计思路的基础上,设计以事件类本体为核心的构建方法,构建案例实例并进行验证。结果表明,设计的案例本体可支持事件多维信息、演化模式等知识需求的查询。

普外科腹腔镜手术发生皮下气肿个案报道的系统评价

目的:对普外科腹腔镜手术发生皮下气肿个案报道进行系统评价。方法:计算机检索维普数据库、万方数据库、中国知网、PubMed、Web of Science、the Cochrance Library等数据库中关于普外科腹腔镜手术发生皮下气肿的个案报道,检索时限为建库至2024年4月1日。采用SPSS 27.0对皮下气肿消失时间进行聚类分析。结果:共纳入20篇文献,中文文献16篇,英文文献4篇;发表时间为1991—2023年,涉及20例病人。聚类分析结果显示,皮下气肿消失时间可分为两类,一类皮下气肿消失时间为20 min至30 h,胆囊手术7例、胃手术1例;二类皮下气肿消失时间为2~4 d,包括胆囊手术3例、直肠手术3例、结肠手术2例、胰十二指肠手术1例。结论:现有证据表明,普外科腹腔镜手术发生皮下气肿受多种因素影响,临床应加强腹腔镜手术病人术前评估和术中观察,并及时处理,以减少术中皮下气肿的发生。