Integrating Ambient Intelligence Technologies for Empowering Agriculture

This work blends the domain of Precision Agriculture with the prevalent paradigm of Ambient Intelligence, so as to enhance the interaction between farmers and Intelligent Environments, and support their various daily agricultural activities, aspiring to improve the quality and quantity of cultivated plants. In this paper, two systems are presented, namely the Intelligent Greenhouse and the AmI seedbed, targeting a wide range of agricultural activities, starting from planting the seeds, caring for each individual sprouted plant up to their transplantation in the greenhouse, where the provision for the entire plantation lasts until the harvesting period.

Does Nursing Behaviour of Sows in Loose-Housing Pens Differ from That of Sows in Farrowing Pens with Crates?

Sows confined to farrowing crates are restricted in performing natural behaviour such as maternal behaviour. Loose-housing farrowing pens (LH) and farrowing pens with crates (FC) were compared regarding sows’ nursing behaviour via video analyses over four weeks per batch (one day per week). Nursing frequency was similar in LH and FC pens (1.25 ± 0.82 vs. 1.19 ± 0.75 nursings/sow/hour; p > 0.05). However, nursing duration differed between the two systems (LH: 5.7 ± 4.6 min vs. FC: 7.0 ± 5.0 min; odds ratio (OR) 1.168, p = 0.011). In LH pens, more nursing bouts were sow-terminated than in FC pens (OR 0.427, p = 0.001). The probability of sow-terminated nursing occurring increased from week 1 to week 4 (OR 3.479, adjusted p (padj) < 0.001), while that of observing unnursed piglets decreased from week 1 to week 4 (OR 0.301, padj < 0.001) and rose with increasing litter size (OR 1.174, p = 0.010). We conclude that nursing behaviour was affected by the farrowing system, with shorter nursing duration and more nursing terminations by the sow in LH than in FC pens. Since this corresponds to the nursing behaviour of sows in semi-natural conditions, it can be assumed that sows in LH pens are more likely to exhibit natural nursing behaviour.

The Effectiveness of Automated Sonic Bloom Method in An IoT-Based Hydroponic System

One of the solutions for food security is planting using hydroponic method and to increase productivity and help hydroponic grow faster and facilitate in monitoring hydroponic growth, sonic bloom and Internet of Things (IoT) are two technologies that can be used. However, in previous studies, the two systems have not been interconnected. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of the two systems mentioned, hence creating an automated sonic bloom method in an IoT-based hydroponic system. To test the proposed method, this system is implemented with bok choi as the hydroponic plant using the DFT technique. The automated sonic bloom is embedded to the IoT system with DF Player Mini module, RTC module, and speakers. The evaluation is done by comparing growth parameters and the crop parameters. The results show that the system with sonic bloom produces fresh weight of 0,44-0,56 g and dry weight of 0,21–0,33 g. The mentioned results are superior to the system without sonic bloom, where fresh weight is 0,17–0,25 g and dry weight is 0,08–0,13 g. It can be concluded that the IoT-based sonic bloom system is effective in increasing the growth rate and hydroponic production rate.

Regulating Occupational Health and Safety in EU and China

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is an important aspect of the labour protection field. This chapter compares OHS legal regimes of China and EU. Comprehensive workplace health and safety legislations of the two systems are described, and the different aspects, including for example, legislative aim, the legislation structure, general obligation, OHS insurance, moral harassment, law enforcement, etc., are detailed. Based on the analysis, conclusions are made and policy recommendations from both legislation aspect and enforcement aspect are provided.

CrystEngComm - Invitation to Submit Polymorphism and cocrystal salt formation of 2-((2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino)benzoic acid, harvest of a second form of 2-((2,6-dimethylphenyl)amino)benzoic acid, and isomorphism between the two systems

2-((2,6-Dichlorophenyl)amino)benzoic acid (2-DCABA), a potential non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and an analog of 2-((2,6-dimethylphenyl)amino)benzoic acid (HDMPA) was synthesized and its polymorphism was studied to investigate the effect of double Cl-CH3 exchange....

Integrated modeling of the peer-to-peer markets in the energy industry

Over time, the number of smart grids installed worldwide is gradually increasing. However, the major portion of the required electricity is still being produced by traditional large-scale and centralized power systems. The main requirement, then, is to study and develop mathematical methods that attend the integration between the two systems previously announced. In this paper, a novel model that addresses this issue is presented. The model minimizes the total operating cost of the large-scale system considering the participation of the smart grid as a dynamic entity, entailing a close relationship between both systems. This approach distinguishes the novel proposal from others that solve similar situations by taking into account the two systems in isolation. Besides, the models that represent the most common organizational structures of the smart grids are also presented in this paper. They are needed to develop the integrated model. Many similar problems in the literature are solved by implementing decomposition techniques, which might obtain a local optimum different from the global one. By contrast, problems with this proposal are solved by using mixed-integer linear programming models that ensure the reaching of a global optimum. The real test case is the integrated Argentine large-scale system and the Armstrong smart grid. Results indicate that the novel model can reach solutions that are 5% lower in comparison with the traditional techniques of considering in isolation. Efficient CPU times enable the possibility of promptly obtaining solutions if there is any change in the parameters. In addition, other benefits, apart from the economical reductions, are also achieved. Operating information closer to the reality of both systems is obtained because it considers the effects of the smart grid in large-scale system solving.

Analytical Solutions of Fuzzy Linear Differential Equations in the Conformable Setting

In this paper, we provide the generalization of two predefined concepts under the name fuzzy conformable differential equations. We solve the fuzzy conformable ordinary differential equations under the strongly generalized conformable derivative. For the order $\Psi$, we use two methods. The first technique is to resolve a fuzzy conformable differential equation into two systems of differential equations according to the two types of derivatives. The second method solves fuzzy conformable differential equations of order $\Psi$ by a variation of the constant formula. Moreover, we generalize our results to solve fuzzy conformable ordinary differential equations of a higher order. Further, we provide some examples in each section for the sake of demonstration of our results.

THE ALTERNATIVE SANCTIONS SYSTEMS IN SERBIA AND THE NETHERLANDS: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH EXAMPLES FROM CASE LAW

Alternative sanctions are a deviation from the traditional system of imprisonment and their advantage certainly lies in a more humane and less repressive treatment of convicted persons. Alternative sanctions need to be present in the criminal sanctions system of every country in order to make this system more effective, primarily having in mind the goals of special prevention. This paper aims to present the alternative sanctions systems in Serbia and the Netherlands, respectively, with reference to case law examples, as well as to perform a comparative analysis of the two systems and indicate their advantages and disadvantages, as well as methods of their improvement.

"Patriots Governing Hong Kong" and the Innovation of Practice Path to Cultivate the Chinese National Community Consciousness

The basic meaning of "patriots ruling Hong Kong" is that Hong Kong people who love China and love Hong Kong govern Hong Kong society to ensure the smooth implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" system and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Hong Kong and maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong society.