scholarly journals Micro plastics in soil ecosystem – A review of sources, fate, and ecological impact

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jieru Yu ◽  
Samuel Adingo ◽  
Liu Xuelu ◽  
Xiaodan Li ◽  
Jing Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Ecological Environment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Distribution Characteristics ◽  
Soil Ecosystem

In recent years, environmental experts and stakeholders have paid increased attention to the pollution of micro plastics in the soil. As persistent pollutants, micro plastics have a significant impact on the soil ecology, agricultural production, and the overall health of the ecological environment. Micro plastics can influence soil bio-physicochemical properties and the mobility of other contaminants in soil, with potentially significant implications on soil ecosystem functionality. Thus, functions including litter decomposition, soil aggregation or those related to nutrient cycling can be altered. Furthermore, micro plastics can influence soil biota at different trophic levels, and even threaten human health through food chains. Despite this potential negative interaction, there is limited research on micro plastics in the soil environment. The primary goals of this review are to summarise the sources, distribution characteristics, migration and degradation laws of micro plastics in the soil ecosystem, to summarise the combined effects of micro plastics and other pollutants in the soil ecosystem, to analyse the effects of micro plastics on soil physical and chemical properties, animals, plants, and microorganisms, and to reveal the effects of micro plastics on soil ecosystem and to according to the distribution characteristics of soil micro plastics, degradation, migration and ecological effects, propose pollution control measures. This current review will provide a comprehensive understanding of soil pollution by micro plastic and offer a scientific basis for the formulation of novel management practices that will protect and improve soils, and contribute to the sustainable development of the ecological environment and highlight important areas for future research.  

scholarly journals Outlook and overview of microplastics pollution in ecological environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 ◽  
pp. 02027
Author(s):  
Zhao Bin ◽  
Cheng Yongqiang ◽  
Guo Cuilian ◽  
Liu Maoke ◽  
Yao Puyu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Ecological Environment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Toxicological Effects ◽  
New Type ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

Microplastics are attracting more and more attention as a new type of pollutant in the ecological environment. Microplastics are difficult to degrade because of their unique physical and chemical properties. Some microplastics adsorbed toxic chemicals (e.g. heavy metals or organic pollutants) will cause a series of toxicological effects in organisms. This paper summarized the research progress in microplastics from the aspects of the types, distribution, detection and the toxicological effects. In addition, future research directions were also proposed and discussed.

COVID-19 Outbreak Prediction with Machine Learning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Faizollahzadeh Ardabili ◽  
Amir Mosavi ◽  
Pedram Ghamisi ◽  
Filip Ferdinand ◽  
Annamaria R. Varkonyi-Koczy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Fuzzy Inference ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Inference System ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Standard Models ◽  
High Level

Several outbreak prediction models for COVID-19 are being used by officials around the world to make informed-decisions and enforce relevant control measures. Among the standard models for COVID-19 global pandemic prediction, simple epidemiological and statistical models have received more attention by authorities, and they are popular in the media. Due to a high level of uncertainty and lack of essential data, standard models have shown low accuracy for long-term prediction. Although the literature includes several attempts to address this issue, the essential generalization and robustness abilities of existing models needs to be improved. This paper presents a comparative analysis of machine learning and soft computing models to predict the COVID-19 outbreak as an alternative to SIR and SEIR models. Among a wide range of machine learning models investigated, two models showed promising results (i.e., multi-layered perceptron, MLP, and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system, ANFIS). Based on the results reported here, and due to the highly complex nature of the COVID-19 outbreak and variation in its behavior from nation-to-nation, this study suggests machine learning as an effective tool to model the outbreak. This paper provides an initial benchmarking to demonstrate the potential of machine learning for future research. Paper further suggests that real novelty in outbreak prediction can be realized through integrating machine learning and SEIR models.

Chemistry of Variable Charge Soils

1997 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Pollution ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Basic Difference ◽  
The Past ◽  
Variable Charge ◽  
Constant Charge ◽  
Variable Charge Soils

This book, based on research carried out at the Academia Sinica over the past 30 years, explains the basic difference between the variable charge soils of tropical and subtropical regions, and the constant charge soils of temperate regions. It will focus on the chemical properties of the variable charge soils--properties which have important bearing on soil management practices, including maximizing soil productivity and combating soil pollution.

scholarly journals Advantages and potential challenges of data management in e-maintenance

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 378-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arian Razmi-Farooji ◽  
Hanna Kropsu-Vehkaperä ◽  
Janne Härkönen ◽  
Harri Haapasalo
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Maintenance Systems ◽  
Industry Leader ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to understand data management challenges in e-maintenance systems from a holistically viewpoint through summarizing the earlier scattered research in the field, and second, to present a conceptual approach for addressing these challenges in practice. Design/methodology/approach The study is realized as a combination of a literature review and by the means of analyzing the practices on an industry leader in manufacturing and maintenance services. Findings This research provides a general understanding over data management challenges in e-maintenance and summarizes their associated proposed solutions. In addition, this paper lists and exemplifies different types and sources of data which can be collected in e-maintenance, across different organizational levels. Analyzing the data management practices of an e-maintenance industry leader provides a conceptual approach to address identified challenges in practice. Research limitations/implications Since this paper is based on studying the practices of a single company, it might be limited to generalize the results. Future research topics can focus on each of mentioned data management challenges and also validate the applicability of presented model in other companies and industries. Practical implications Understanding the e-maintenance-related challenges helps maintenance managers and other involved stakeholders in e-maintenance systems to better solve the challenges. Originality/value The so-far literature on e-maintenance has been studied with narrow focus to data and data management in e-maintenance appears as one of the less studied topics in the literature. This research paper contributes to e-maintenance by highlighting the deficiencies of the discussion surrounding the perspectives of data management in e-maintenance by studying all common data management challenges and listing different types of data which need to be acquired in e-maintenance systems.

scholarly journals Legumes increase grassland productivity with no effect on nitrous oxide emissions

2019 ◽  
Vol 446 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 163-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlete S. Barneze ◽  
Jeanette Whitaker ◽  
Niall P. McNamara ◽  
Nicholas J. Ostle
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Grassland Productivity

Abstract Aims Grasslands are important agricultural production systems, where ecosystem functioning is affected by land management practices. Grass-legume mixtures are commonly cultivated to increase grassland productivity while reducing the need for nitrogen (N) fertiliser. However, little is known about the effect of this increase in productivity on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in grass-legume mixtures. The aim of this study was to investigate interactions between the proportion of legumes in grass-legume mixtures and N-fertiliser addition on productivity and GHG emissions. We tested the hypotheses that an increase in the relative proportion of legumes would increase plant productivity and decrease GHG emissions, and the magnitude of these effects would be reduced by N-fertiliser addition. Methods This was tested in a controlled environment mesocosm experiment with one grass and one legume species grown in mixtures in different proportions, with or without N-fertiliser. The effects on N cycling processes were assessed by measurement of above- and below-ground biomass, shoot N uptake, soil physico-chemical properties and GHG emissions. Results Above-ground productivity and shoot N uptake were greater in legume-grass mixtures compared to grass or legume monocultures, in fertilised and unfertilised soils. However, we found no effect of legume proportion on N2O emissions, total soil N or mineral-N in fertilised or unfertilised soils. Conclusions This study shows that the inclusion of legumes in grass-legume mixtures positively affected productivity, however N cycle were in the short-term unaffected and mainly affected by nitrogen fertilisation. Legumes can be used in grassland management strategies to mitigate climate change by reducing crop demand for N-fertilisers.

scholarly journals Organizational Commitment and Lean Sustainability: Literature Review and Directions for Future Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal Benkarim ◽  
Daniel Imbeau
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Employee Commitment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Narrative Literature Review ◽  
Key Aspects

The vast majority of works published on Lean focus on the evaluation of tools and/or the strategies needed for its implementation. Although many authors highlight the degree of employee commitment as one of the key aspects of Lean, what has gone largely unnoticed in the literature, is that few studies have examined in-depth the concept of organizational commitment in connection with Lean. With this narrative literature review article, our main objective is (1) to identify and analyze an extensive body of literature that addresses the Lean Manufacturing approach and how it relates to employee commitment, emphasizing affective commitment as the main type of organizational commitment positively associated with Lean, and (2) to highlight the management practices required to encourage this kind of commitment and promote the success and sustainability of Lean. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview that can help researchers and practitioners interested in Lean better understand the importance of employee commitment in this type of approach, and as well, to identify related research questions.

Climate resilience in rural Zambia: evaluating farmers’ response to El Niño-induced drought

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Federica Alfani ◽  
Aslihan Arslan ◽  
Nancy McCarthy ◽  
Romina Cavatassi ◽  
Nicholas Sitko
Keyword(s):  
El Niño ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Unobserved Heterogeneity ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Diversification Strategies ◽  
Household Incomes ◽  
Rural Zambia

Abstract This paper aims at identifying whether and how sustainable land management practices and livelihood diversification strategies have contributed to moderating the impacts of the El Niño-related drought in Zambia. This is done using a specifically designed survey called the El Niño Impact Assessment Survey, which is combined with the Rural Agricultural Livelihoods Surveys, as well as high resolution rainfall data at the ward level over 34 years. This unique panel data set allows us to control for the time-invariant unobserved heterogeneity to understand the impacts of shocks like El Niño, which are expected to become more frequent and severe as a result of climate change. We find that maize yields were substantially reduced and that household incomes were only partially protected from the shock thanks to diversification strategies. Mechanical erosion control measures and livestock diversification emerge as the only strategies that provided yield and income benefits under weather shock.

scholarly journals Constraints to Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) Production and Farmers’ Approaches to Striga hermonthica Management in Burkina Faso

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8460
Author(s):  
Armel Rouamba ◽  
Hussein Shimelis ◽  
Inoussa Drabo ◽  
Mark Laing ◽  
Prakash Gangashetty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Striga Hermonthica ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Central Plateau ◽  
South Central

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a staple food crop in Burkina Faso that is widely grown in the Sahelian and Sudano-Sahelian zones, characterised by poor soil conditions and erratic rainfall, and high temperatures. The objective of this study was to document farmers’ perceptions of the prevailing constraints affecting pearl millet production and related approaches to manage the parasitic weeds S. hermonthica. The study was conducted in the Sahel, Sudano-Sahelian zones in the North, North Central, West Central, Central Plateau, and South Central of Burkina Faso. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions involving 492 participant farmers. Recurrent drought, S. hermonthica infestation, shortage of labour, lack of fertilisers, lack of cash, and the use of low-yielding varieties were the main challenges hindering pearl millet production in the study areas. The majority of the respondents (40%) ranked S. hermonthica infestation as the primary constraint affecting pearl millet production. Respondent farmers reported yield losses of up to 80% due to S. hermonthica infestation. 61.4% of the respondents in the study areas had achieved a mean pearl millet yields of <1 t/ha. Poor access and the high cost of introduced seed, and a lack of farmers preferred traits in the existing introduced pearl millet varieties were the main reasons for their low adoption, as reported by 32% of respondents. S. hermonthica management options in pearl millet production fields included moisture conservation using terraces, manual hoeing, hand weeding, use of microplots locally referred to as ‘zaï’, crop rotation and mulching. These management techniques were ineffective because they do not suppress the below ground S. hermonthica seed, and they are difficult to implement. Integrated management practices employing breeding for S. hermonthica resistant varieties with the aforementioned control measures could offer a sustainable solution for S. hermonthica management and improved pearl millet productivity in Burkina Faso.

scholarly journals Unequal impact of the COVID-19 crisis on minority ethnic groups: a framework for understanding and addressing inequalities

2021 ◽  
pp. jech-2020-216061
Author(s):  
Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi ◽  
Sham Lal ◽  
Enitan D Carrol ◽  
Claire L Niedzwiedz ◽  
Kamlesh Khunti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Structural Racism ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Minority Ethnic Groups ◽  
Minority Ethnic

Minority ethnic groups have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the exact reasons for this remain unclear, they are likely due to a complex interplay of factors rather than a single cause. Reducing these inequalities requires a greater understanding of the causes. Research to date, however, has been hampered by a lack of theoretical understanding of the meaning of ‘ethnicity’ (or race) and the potential pathways leading to inequalities. In particular, quantitative analyses have often adjusted away the pathways through which inequalities actually arise (ie, mediators for the effect of interest), leading to the effects of social processes, and particularly structural racism, becoming hidden. In this paper, we describe a framework for understanding the pathways that have generated ethnic (and racial) inequalities in COVID-19. We suggest that differences in health outcomes due to the pandemic could arise through six pathways: (1) differential exposure to the virus; (2) differential vulnerability to infection/disease; (3) differential health consequences of the disease; (4) differential social consequences of the disease; (5) differential effectiveness of pandemic control measures and (6) differential adverse consequences of control measures. Current research provides only a partial understanding of some of these pathways. Future research and action will require a clearer understanding of the multiple dimensions of ethnicity and an appreciation of the complex interplay of social and biological pathways through which ethnic inequalities arise. Our framework highlights the gaps in the current evidence and pathways that need further investigation in research that aims to address these inequalities.

Seasonal Nonstructural Carbohydrate Patterns in Dewberry (Rubus spp.) Roots

Weed Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Katherine M. Ghantous ◽  
Hilary A. Sandler
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soluble Sugars ◽  
Leaf Expansion ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Phenological Stages ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Nonstructural Carbohydrate ◽  
Fruit Maturity

Abstract Applying control measures when carbohydrate levels are low can decrease the likelihood of plant survival, but little is known about the carbohydrate cycles of dewberry (Rubus spp.), a problematic weed group on cranberry farms. Weedy Rubus plants were collected from areas adjacent to production beds on commercial cranberry farms in Massachusetts, two locations per year for two years. For each site and year, four entire plants were collected at five phenological stages: budbreak, full leaf expansion, flowering, fruit maturity, and after onset of dormancy. Root sections were analyzed for total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC; starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose). Overall trends for all sites and years showed TNC were lowest at full leaf expansion or flowering; when sampled at dormancy, TNC concentrations were greater than or equal to those measured at budbreak. Starch, a carbohydrate form associated with long-term storage, had low levels at budbreak, leaf expansion and/or flowering with a significant increase at fruit maturity and the onset of dormancy, ending at levels higher than those found at budbreak. The concentration of soluble sugars, carbohydrate forms readily usable by plants, was highest at budbreak compared to the other four phenological samplings. Overall, our findings supported the hypothesis that TNC levels within the roots of weedy Rubus plants can be predicted based on different phenological growth stages in Massachusetts. However, recommendations for timing management practices cannot be based on TNC cycles alone; other factors such as temporal proximity to dormancy may also impact Rubus plants recovery and further research is warranted. Late-season damage should allow less time for plants to replenish carbohydrate reserves (prior to the onset of dormancy), thereby likely enhancing weed management tactics effectiveness over time. Future studies should consider tracking the relationship between environmental conditions, phenological stages, and carbohydrate trends.

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