scholarly journals Reconciling the conservation of the purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) and its damage in Mediterranean rice fields through sustainable non-lethal techniques

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubén Moreno-Opo ◽  
Josep Piqué
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Rice Fields ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Natural Wetlands ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Porphyrio Porphyrio ◽  
And Control

Resolving human–wildlife conflicts requires the assessment and implementation of appropriate technical measures that minimize negative impacts on socio-economic uses, including agriculture, and ensure the adequate protection of biological diversity. Rice paddies are widely distributed in the western Mediterranean region. Because of their high productivity, they can be a good habitat for waterbirds, including the purple swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio, particularly in areas where natural wetlands have been removed or reduced. As a result of its population growth, there have been increasing levels of damage caused by this species in rice fields due to stem-cutting and opening of bald patches in rice fields. With the aim of reducing damage, we evaluated the effectiveness of passive and active measures that would limit access to rice fields and deter/scare away purple swamphens in affected areas of the Ebro Delta (NE Spain). We selected the techniques according to the growth phase of rice and the activity of birds in the rice fields (perimeter fences and clearing vegetation around the rice plots during sprouting and growing phases, and falconry at maturation). There were positive results during the sprouting and growing phases thanks to fences and clearing vegetation, reducing the affected area by 37.8% between treatment and control plots. This would mean an economic savings of 18,550 €/year in compensation payments by regional administrations including the investment in implementing and maintaining passive protection measures. Active deterrence through falconry did not reduce the level of damage. The analysis of purple swamphen home range, activity centers (centroids), and the proportion of locations in and outside of rice fields showed no differences before and after dissuasive practices. These results were influenced by multiple concurrent factors including weather, the structural configuration of the rice plots and their location. In summary, we recommend the establishment of protection measures (perimeter fences + clearing vegetation around the rice plots) to reduce the level of damage.

Influence of area, altitude and hydroperiod on macroinvertebrate communities in southern Brazil wetlands

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (11) ◽  
pp. 993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Stenert ◽  
Leonardo Maltchik
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Macroinvertebrate Communities ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Wetland Area ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Intermittent Wetlands ◽  
Natural Wetlands ◽  
Richness Patterns

Wetlands are important ecosystems in southern Brazil because they show high productivity and biological diversity. However, conservative data indicate that ~90% of the wetlands have disappeared as a result of agricultural expansion. In this sense, the understanding of species composition and richness patterns in fragmented and natural wetlands is a priority for biodiversity conservation strategies. The main goal of the present study was to determine how much variation in macroinvertebrate richness and composition is explained by wetland area, hydroperiod and altitude. This survey was carried out in an extensive area of the Neotropical region (~280000 km2 – southern Brazil) with a large number of wetland systems (72) and covering a wide gradient of altitude and wetland surface area. The macroinvertebrate richness was higher in permanent wetlands than intermittent ones, and intermittent wetlands supported a macroinvertebrate composition that clearly differed from those of permanent wetlands. Macroinvertebrate richness was positively affected by wetland area; however, this relationship was significant only in permanent wetlands. There is a need to promote conservation of all wetland systems in southern Brazil, regardless of their hydroperiod and area. These arguments are essential to develop conservation and management programs of wetlands in this region.

scholarly journals Calibrating Sentinel-2 Imagery with Multispectral UAV Derived Information to Quantify Damages in Mediterranean Rice Crops Caused by Western Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)

Drones ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magda Pla ◽  
Gerard Bota ◽  
Andrea Duane ◽  
Jaume Balagué ◽  
Antoni Curcó ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Ebro Delta ◽  
Crop Damage ◽  
Pixel Resolution ◽  
Porphyrio Porphyrio ◽  
Sentinel 2

Making agricultural production compatible with the conservation of biological diversity is a priority in areas in which human–wildlife conflicts arise. The threatened Western Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) feeds on rice, inducing crop damage and leading to decreases in rice production. Due to the Swamphen protection status, economic compensation policies have been put in place to compensate farmers for these damages, thus requiring an accurate, quantitative, and cost-effective evaluation of rice crop losses over large territories. We used information captured from a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) equipped with a multispectral Parrot SEQUOIA camera as ground-truth information to calibrate Sentinel-2 imagery to quantify damages in the region of Ebro Delta, western Mediterranean. UAV vegetation index NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) allowed estimation of damages in rice crops at 10 cm pixel resolution by discriminating no-green vegetation pixels. Once co-registered with Sentinel grid, we predicted the UAV damage proportion at a 10 m resolution as a function of Sentinel-2 NDVI, and then we extrapolated the fitted model to the whole Sentinel-2 Ebro Delta image. Finally, the damage predicted with Sentinel-2 data was quantified at the agricultural plot level and validated with field information compiled on the ground by Rangers Service. We found that Sentinel2-NDVI data explained up to 57% of damage reported with UAV. The final validation with Rangers Service data pointed out some limitations in our procedure that leads the way to improving future development. Sentinel2 imagery calibrated with UAV information proved to be a viable and cost-efficient alternative to quantify damages in rice crops at large scales.

EFEKTIVITAS METODE DEMONSTRASI DALAM MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR SISWA SEKOLAH MENENGAH KEJURUAN PADA PENGAJARAN SISTEM KOLOID

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Hamda Situmorang ◽  
Manihar Situmorang
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Abstract Concept ◽  
Vocational High School ◽  
School Students ◽  
Lecture Method ◽  
Colloid System ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Right ◽  
And Control

Abstract Implementation of demonstration method in the teaching of chemistry is assigned as the right strategy to improve students’ achievement as it is proved that the method can bring an abstract concept to reality in the class. The study is conducted to vocational high school students in SMKN1 Pargetteng getteng Sengkut Pakfak Barat at accademic year 2013. The teaching has been carried out three cycles on the teaching of chemistry topic of colloid system. In the study, the class is divided into two class, experiment class and control class. The demontration method is used to teach students in experimental class while the teaching in control class is conducted with lecture method. Both are evaluated by using multiple choise tests before and after the teaching procedures, and the ability of students to answer the problems are assigned as students’ achievements. The results showed that demonstration method improved students’ achievement in chemistry. The students in experimental class who are taughed with demonstration method (M=19.08±0.74) have higher achievements compare with control class (M=12.91±2.52), and both are significantly different (tcalculation 22.85 > ttable 1.66). The effectivity of demostration method in experimental class (97%) is found higer compare to conventional method in control class (91%).

Effects of Time and Perceptual Orientation on Actors' and Observers' Attributions

1984 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Donald S. Martin ◽  
Ming-Shiunn Huang
Keyword(s):  
Video Recording ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Perceptual Orientation ◽  
Initial Difference ◽  
Variety Show ◽  
And Control ◽  
Unrelated Variety

The actor/observer effect was examined by Storms in a 1973 study which manipulated perceptual orientation using video recordings. Storms' study was complex and some of his results equivocal. The present study attempted to recreate the perceptual reorientation effect using a simplified experimental design and an initial difference between actors and observers which was the reverse of the original effect. Female undergraduates performed a motor co-ordination task as actors while watched by observers. Each person made attributions for the actor's behaviour before and after watching a video recording of the performance. For a control group the video recording was of an unrelated variety show excerpt. Actors' initial attributions were less situational than observers'. Both actors and observers became more situational after the video replay but this effect occurred in both experimental and control groups. It was suggested the passage of time between first and second recording of attributions could account for the findings and care should be taken when interpreting Storms' (1973) study and others which did not adequately control for temporal effects.

Studi Kualitas Puding Melalui Pendekatan Six Sigma Studi Kasus Di Pt. Keong Nusantara Abadi

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Rony Trizudha ◽  
Sri Rahayuningsih ◽  
Ana Komari
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Production Process ◽  
Product Quality ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Improve Quality ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Fierce Competition ◽  
And Control ◽  
Technology Advances

As technology advances at this time, players in business are aware of the importance of product quality in the increasingly fierce competition in the industrial world due to the emergence of many similar companies. Therefore, companies must be able to compete to meet customer desires and try to retain customers. To maintain customers and their marketing areas, companies must have high competitiveness in order to survive by prioritizing quality improvement, increasing efficiency and increasing productivity to improve quality because by increasing quality, products can be accepted among consumers so that company goals can be fulfilled. Therefore, the company must carry out effective quality control which will result in high productivity, lower overall cost of making goods and the factors that cause production failure to be minimized. To improve quality, use the six sigma method, DMAIC and seven tools so that it can be known the cause of the damage and what actions are taken so that there needs to be a controversy to stabilize the processes of the production process so that we can know what percentage of damage and what factors cause damage, therefore there must be measurements and recommendations for improvement and control to reduce the causes From the analysis, it was found that the dent cup was 20.36%, the lid was 21.36% less dense, the lid was damaged in the finished product 18.72%, the cup was 19.28% less thick, the packaging was flexible 20.55%Seiring kemajuan teknologi pada saat ini pelaku di bisnis menyadari akan pentingnya kualitas produk dalam persaingan dunia industri yang semakin ketat karena banyak bermunculan perusahaan-perusahaan sejenis. Oleh sebab itu perusahaan harus dapat bersaing untuk memenuhi keinginan  pelanggan dan berusaha dapat mempertahankan pelanggan. Untuk mempertahankan pelangan dan wilayah pemasaranya perusahaan-perusahaan harus mempunyai daya saing yang tinggi untuk dapat bertahan dengan mengutamakan peningkatan mutu, peningkatan efisiensi dan peningkatan produktivitas untuk meningkatkan kualitas karena dengan peningkatan kualitas, produk dapat diterima di kalangan konsumen sehingga tujuan perusahaan dapat terpenuhi. Maka dari itu perusahaan harus melakukan pengendalian kualitas yang efektif akan menghasilkan produktivitas yang tinggi, biaya pembuatan barang keseluruhan yang lebih  rendah serta  faktor-faktor yang menyebabkan kegagalan produksi akan dapat ditekan sekecil mungkin. Untuk meningkatkan kualitas mengunakan metode six sigma, DMAIC dan seven tools agar dapat diketahui penyebab  kerusakan  dan  tindakan  apa  saja  yang dilakukan sehingga perlu ada kontror untuk menstabilkan  peoses proses produksi sehinga dapat di ketahui berapa persen  kerusakan dan faktor-faktor apa saja yang menyebabkan  kerusakan maka dari itu harus ada pengukuran dan  rekomendasi perbaikan serta melakukan kontrol untuk mengurangi penyebab kerusakan. Dari hasil analisis  di ketahui cup  penyok 20,36%, lid kurang  rapat  21,36%, lid  rusak  pada produk jadi 18,72%,cup kurang tebal 19,28 %kemasan lentur 20,55%

The Effect of Using Flipped Classroom Model to Improve Iraqi EFL Learners’ Pronunciation in English at University Level

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (40) ◽  
pp. 631-654
Author(s):  
Khaldoon Waleed Husam Al-Mofti
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
English Pronunciation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
University Level ◽  
The University ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

For Iraqi EFL learners who are studying English pronunciation in a traditional instruction method often requires more effort and hard work. Thus, using new methods of teaching such as the flipped classroom model (FCM) is necessary to facilitate learning and improve performance. Hence, this study reports on explanatory research that investigates the effect of using the FCM in the teaching of English pronunciation for Iraqi EFL learners at the university level. The study implemented mixed research methods for data collection in a quasi-experimental analysis. Therefore, two tests were conducted on the assigned groups to measure the effect of the FCM before and after the intervention. Besides, a questionnaire and interviews were used on the experiment group students to collect data about their perceptions of the FCM. The study length (lasted)  was 15 weeks and is comprised of 60 students from the department of English, College of Arts at the University of Anbar. The students were divided into two groups, experimental, and control with 30 students in each group. The findings revealed that there was a significant statistical difference between the two groups in favour of the experimental group with better performance, indicating that the FCM has considerably assisted the Iraqi EFL learners to improve their English pronunciation. Moreover, the students expressed their positive feedback and satisfaction on the use of the FCM in their responses to the questionnaire and the interviews. As such, the current study recommends further research to study the effect of applying the FCM in areas and disciplines other than language learning.

Using advanced control, post-denitrification and equalisation to improve the performance of a submerged filter

2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.H. Sørensen ◽  
D. Thornberg ◽  
K.F. Janning
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Total N ◽  
Control Loops ◽  
Effluent Quality ◽  
Advanced Control ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Control ◽  
Side Flow ◽  
Configuration Control ◽  
Control Post

In 1998, the capacity of the BIOSTYR® submerged biofilter at Nyborg WWTP was extended from 48,000 PE to 60,000 PE including advanced sensor based control, post-denitrification in BIOSTYR® and equalization of side flows. The existing configuration with 8 BIOSTYR® DN/N cells is based on pre-denitrification and an internal recirculation of 600–800%. The extended plant comprises 7 BIOSTYR® DN/N cells with 50–225% recirculation followed by 3 BIOSTYR DN cells for post-denitrification. The advanced control loops include blower control, control of the number of active cells (stand-by), automatic switch to high load configuration, control of the side flow equalization, control of the internal recirculation and control of the external carbon source dosing. In this paper, the achieved improvements are documented by comparing influent and effluent data, methanol and energy consumption from comparable periods before and after the extension. Although the nitrogen load to the plant was increased by 20% after the extension, the effluent quality has improved significantly with a reduction of Total-N from 7–8 mg/l to 3–4 mg/l. Simultaneously, the methanol consumption has been reduced by more than 50% per kg removed nitrogen. The energy consumption remained constant although the nitrogen load was increased by 20% and the inflow by 80%.

Melatonin Improves Erythropoietin Hyporesponsiveness via Suppression of Inflammation

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-208
Author(s):  
Evan Noori Hameed ◽  
Haydar F. Hadi AL Tukmagi ◽  
Hayder Ch Assad Allami
Keyword(s):  
Iron Status ◽  
Transferrin Saturation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Inadequate Response ◽  
Inflammatory Parameters ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Control ◽  
Controlled Clinical Study

Background: Inadequate response to Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents (ESA) despite using relatively larger doses regimen represents a potential risk factor of Cardiovascular (CV) related mortality in addition to health-care economic problems in anemic patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Erythropoietin (EPO) hyporesponsiveness related to inflammation has been increased progressively. Melatonin is well known as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Therefore, the current study was designed to evaluate whether melatonin could improve anemic patients response to EPO. Methods: This single controlled clinical study was carried out in 41 CKD patients with hemoglobin (Hb) levels less than 11g/dl divided randomly in a 1:1 ratio into 2 groups; treatment group who received 5mg melatonin plus their regular treatments and control group who received their regular treatments only. Hematological and iron status parameters include Hb level, serum iron (S. iron), Transferrin Saturation Ratio (TSAT) and serum ferritin (S. ferritin) in addition to inflammatory parameters that include tissue necrotic factor alfa (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) determined before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results: Melatonin remarkably increases the Hb level with a significant increase in S. iron and TSAT compared to baseline. The elevation of S. iron and TSAT was significantly higher in the melatonin group. Additionally, all inflammatory markers estimated were reduced significantly by melatonin compared to base line and control group. Conclusion: The results of the current study showed that melatonin has an advantageous effect on improving EPO response in anemic patients with CKD.

Obesity management through Ayurveda - A Case Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dheeraj Kumar Tyagi ◽  
Shivakumar .
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Dietary Habit ◽  
Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽  
Lifestyle Management ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Effect Of Treatment ◽  
And Control

Lifestyle disorders are one of the biggest threats for the population living unhealthy lifestyle. Sthoulya (Obesity) is one such disorder which creates lot of physical as well as mental disorder to the sufferer. Due to changing lifestyle, comforts and dietary habit lots of individuals changed their life totally. Obesity is a growing disease in developed and developing countries. Prevalence is drastically hike in past few years. Ayurveda, the science of life with which we can manage and control lots of lifestyle disorders. Focusing on dietary and lifestyle management along with treatment, we can overcome the hazards of obesity which is growing in a uncontrolled manner. The available data is based on the clinical findings only. Aim and objective: To assess the effect of “Guru Cha Atarpanam Chikitsa” in the management of Sthoulya. Setting: Swastharakshana evam Yoga, OPD and IPD, SDMCAH, Hassan. Method: Udwarthana, Parisheka, Shamana Aushadhis, Ahara, and Vihara was followed within the treatment duration and effect of treatment was assessed before and after treatment, advised for follow up. Results: The treatment adopted is effective in the management of Sthoulya and to improve the quality of life.

Rice safety and control of penoxsulam resistant and susceptible barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) populations with soil-applied herbicides

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Tingting Liu ◽  
Jialin Yu ◽  
Jiapeng Fang ◽  
Liyao Dong
Keyword(s):  
Rice Fields ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Rice Varieties ◽  
And Control

Abstract Resistance to penoxsulam among barnyardgrass populations is prevalent in rice fields in China. Seeds of penoxsulam-resistant (AXXZ-2) and -susceptible (JLGY-3) barnyardgrass populations, as well as the seeds of two rice varieties including Wuyungeng32 (WY) and Liangyou669 (LY) were planted in plastic pots and then treated with a rate titration of acetochlor, anilofos, butachlor, clomazone, oxadiazon, pendimethalin, pretilachlor, pyraclonil, or thiobencarb. The two barnyardgrass populations exhibited similar susceptibility to acetochlor, anilofos, butachlor, oxadiazon, pretilachlor, or pyraclonil. However, the susceptibility differed between the barnyardgrass populations in response to clomazone, pendimethalin, and thiobencarb. For AXXZ-2, herbicide rates that caused 50% reduction in shoot biomass from the nontreated control (GR50) were 179, >800, and 1798 g ha-1 for clomazone, pendimethalin, and thiobencarb, respectively; while JLGY-3 GR50 values were 61, 166, and 552 g ha-1, respectively. Both rice varieties demonstrated excellent tolerance to acetochlor, butachlor, oxadiazon, pretilachlor, and thiobencarb. However, substantial rice damage was observed with anilofos and clomazone. Anilofos at 352 g ha-1 and clomazone at 448 g ha-1 reduced rice shoot biomass by 41 and 50% from the nontreated, respectively. Averaged across herbicide rates, clomazone reduced rice shoot biomass from the nontreated control by 52 and 34% for WY and LY, respectively; and pendimethalin reduced rice shoot biomass from the nontreated control by 25 and 9% for WY and LY, respectively.

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