Yield and Water Productivity of Winter Wheat under Various Irrigation Capacities

The Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator model validated in a prior study for winter wheat was used to simulate yield, aboveground crop biomass (BM), transpiration (T), and evapotranspiration under four irrigation capacities (ICs) (0, 1.7, 2.5, and 5 mm/day) with two nitrogen (N) application rates (N1, 94 kg N/ha; N2, 160 kg N/ha) to (1) understand the performance of winter wheat under different ICs and (2) develop crop water production function under various ICs and N rates. Evaluation was based on yield, aboveground crop BM, transpiration productivity (TP), crop water productivity (WP), and irrigation WP (IWP). Simulation results showed winter wheat yield increased with increase in N application rate and IC. However, the rate of yield increase gradually reduced with additional irrigation beyond 2.5 mm/day. A 5 mm/day IC required a total of 190 mm irrigation and produced a 5%–16% yield advantage over 2.5 mm/day. This indicates it is possible to reduce groundwater use for wheat by 50% incurring only 5%–16% yield loss relative to 5 mm/day. The TP and IWP for grain were slightly higher under IC of 1.7 mm/day (15.2–16.1 kg/ha/mm and 0.98–1.6 kg/m³) when compared to 5 mm/day (14.7–15.5 kg/ha/mm and 0.6–1.06 kg/m³), respectively. Since TP and IWPs are relatively higher under lower ICs, winter wheat could be a suitable crop under lower ICs in the region. Relationship between yield–T and yield–ET was linear with a slope of 15–16 and 9.5–10 kg/ha/mm, respectively. Editor's note : This paper is part of the featured series on Optimizing Ogallala Aquifer Water Use to Sustain Food Systems. See the February 2019 issue for the introduction and background to the series.     

Unraveling the impact of workforce age diversity on labor productivity: The moderating role of firm size and job security

Previous literature has suggested both positive and negative effects of age diversity on labor productivity: positive because of the potential knowledge complementarities between employees of different ages and negative because of the age‐related value differences that might reduce cohesion and cooperation, hampering firm performance. Using a Belgian sample of 5892 organizational observations (2008–2011), we unraveled these countervailing effects in two ways. First, we built on prior studies to suggest that the effect of age diversity depends on the particular shape of the age distribution: positive when it is heterogeneous (i.e., variety) and negative when it is polarized (i.e., polarization). This was supported by our findings. Second, we explored the moderating impact of two contextual contingencies, firm size and job security. As expected, the positive effect of age variety is reinforced in large firms and in firms where job security is high. Although firm size also emphasizes the negative effect of age polarization on productivity, job security, unexpectedly, does not moderate this relationship. Our study offers a valuable contribution to the literature as it reveals the boundary conditions of the competing implications of age diversity and, thus, allows one to account for the inconclusive findings reported in previous literature. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impacts of farmer field schools on productivity of vegetable farming in Indonesia

This study assesses the impact of farmer field schools (FFS) on the productivity of vegetable farming in vegetable‐producing areas of East Java and Bali, Indonesia. The FFS have equipped over 3,000 vegetable farmers with integrated crop management knowledge applicable to chilies and tomatoes. The FFS are expected to enhance farmers’ capacity such that they can increase production. This study employs a difference‐in‐differences (DiD) method to overcome selection bias. A survey of 250 FFS‐graduated farmers and 250 non‐FFS farmers were purposively randomly selected from the overall community of farmers. Focus group discussion was used to support the survey. The results indicate that FFS were successful for enhancing farmers’ capability in vegetable farming. Farmers who participated in FFS have higher productivity than those who did not. Farmers also could adapt and adopt the knowledge gained from FFS as they underwent a process of learning by doing. The impacts of the increase in farmers’ capacity can be more evident if weaknesses during the FFS preparation and implementation can be overcome, to ensure more participation, flexibility to fit different conditions/needs and continuous learning.     

烟台四十里湾赤潮发生与生态环境污染研究

烟台四十里湾海域为赤潮频发区,就赤潮发生的区域分布与其生态环境污染进行探讨研究,以引起社会有关方面正确认识和评价水产养殖业对海洋环境的影响。结果显示: (1)1998~2008年间排入四十里湾的各类污染物总量以贝类养殖排泄物居首,赤潮发生的几率及范围与贝类养殖面积、N、P和C排泄物年际变化有直接必然关系; (2)湾内初级生产力较高,由贝类养殖排泄转化的无机碳占湾内基础物质总量的65%~90％; (3)湾内赤潮生物16种,优势种有红色裸甲藻、中肋骨条藻、海链藻,红色裸甲藻是该湾引起赤潮最常见的赤潮生物种; (4)四十里湾最大流发生在养马岛以外的东北水域,流速值在17~20cm/s 左右,养马岛西南端流速最低,仅为4~5cm/s左右,受水建工程和筏式养殖的干扰,养殖区内流速有所减缓,不利于污染物扩散。研究表明,特定的地理环境及物质条件十分适合藻类的生长繁殖,一旦遇到适宜的水文气象条件,赤潮藻即有骤然快速增殖而形成赤潮。     

基于DEA和Malmquist指数的煤矿安全投入效率评价

为了系统的评价煤矿安全投入效率,采用DEA（数据包络分析）方法,选取我国1991~2010年煤矿安全投入产出数据构建DEA模型,其中煤矿安全投入指标为采煤机械化程度、工程技术人员百分比、颁布煤矿安全法规数和行业标准,产出指标为煤矿百万吨死亡率。根据构建的DEA模型对每年的效率进行分析和评价,并提出建议。同时运用Malmquist指数（全要素生产力指数）对煤矿安全投入效率进行分解研究。研究结果表明,从静态上看,我国仅有1993年和2010年当年的煤矿安全投入和产出都达到了最优状态,并且随着煤矿安全投入逐年增加,煤矿安全投入技术效率、纯技术效率、规模效率逐年提升。从动态上看,我国煤矿安全投入Malmquist指数的提高对技术的依赖很明显,无论是技术进步还是技术效率的提高都会相应的提高Malmquist指数。     

区域农田生态系统生产力的时空格局及其影响因子研究——以山东省为例

在统计数据的基础上,以山东省为例,利用模型量化了农田生态系统净初级生产力（NPP）,并研究了农田生态系统NPP的时空格局及其影响因素。研究发现,2000—2006年间,山东省农田生态系统NPP在时间序列上整体呈上升的趋势,由2000年的476.5g·m-2·a-1（以C计）上升到2006年的544.2g·m-2·a-1（以C计）。空间格局中以鲁东、鲁中和鲁南较高,鲁西南和鲁北较低。各地市中以枣庄最高,为691g·m-2·a-1（以C计）;东营最低,约424.4g·m-2·a-1（以C计）。另外,莱芜、临沂及菏泽等地也相对偏低。通过对影响农田生态系统NPP的自然因子和人为因子分别进行主成分分析发现：气候因子中对山东省农田生态系统NPP贡献最大的为降水;人为因子中以农膜的贡献最大,其次为农药、机械、化肥,而劳动力的贡献则随着科技的发展而降低,人口密度的过大对农田生态系统生产力具有较大的负面影响。     

Participative Versus Assigned Production Standard Setting in a Repetitive Industrial Task: A Strategy for Improving Worker Productivity

Abstract

The participative standard with feedback condition was superior to the assigned difficult (140% of normal) standard with feedback condition in terms of worker productivity. The percentage increase in worker productivity with the participative standard and feedback condition was 46%, whereas the increase in the assigned difficult standard with feedback was 23%, compared to the control group (no standard, no feedback). Worker productivity also Improved significantly as a result of assigning a normal (100%) production standard with feedback, compared to the control group, and the increase was 12%. The participative standard with feedback condition emerges as the optimum strategy for improving worker productivity in a repetitive industrial production task.     

Ergonomics and Quality Management—Humans in Interaction With Technology,Work Environment,and Organization

Abstract

In many studies, ergonomics has been shown to influence human performance. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate imp ortan t ergonomics influences on quality in industrial production, from the perspective of interactions between humans, technology, organization, and work environment. A second aim was to elab orate on the implications of these findings for the development of quality management strategies. This paper shows that ergonomics problems in terms of adverse work environmental conditions, in appropriate design of technology, and an unsuitable org an izatio n are important causes of quality deficiencies. Problem solving aimed at improving ergonomics, quality, and productivity simultaneously is likely to obtain sup po rt from most of the interest parties of the company, and may also enhance participation. Ergonomics has the potential of becoming a driving force for the development of new quality management strategies.     

基于非参数方法的中国棉花产出规模效率时空特征

人类需要的无限性和用来满足需要的各种稀缺资源之间的矛盾,要求人们对生产资源进行有效配置。为研究中国棉花流通体制市场化改革以来,棉花生产资源的配置效率--产出规模效率及其时空特征,基于生产前沿面理论的非参数方法,利用生产资源配置效率测度软件对中国棉花主产区的棉花产出规模效率进行了具体测定与分析。结果表明：中国棉花产出规模效率时空差异显著,报告期长江流域优于黄河流域,同时两大流域棉花产出规模效率变化态势与我国棉花流通体制市场化改革的政策安排高度相关。认为中央政府应根据市场化进程中棉花生产所表现出来的新特点与市场调节出现的新问题,适时做出进一步激励棉花生产,最大程度发挥产出规模效率的政策安排。     

The use of construction equipment productivity rate model for estimating fuel use and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissionsCase study: bulldozer,excavator and dump truck

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission has drawn a great attention in recent years all over the world, and it plays a very important role in the process of global warming. The off-road equipment, which includes construction equipment, accounted for 7.5% emission of CO₂. The objective of this article is to propose a groundwork for a methodology that can be used to estimate the total fuel use and CO₂ emissions from construction equipment activities based on its productivity rate. Currently, there is not a methodology or technique for estimating productivity, fuel use and emissions at once. The multiple linear regression analysis has successfully modelled the productivity rate and good to be used as a benchmark for estimating fuel use and CO₂ emissions from various types of construction equipment performing earthwork activities. The proposed methodology will help the contractor to estimate the total expected pollutant emissions for the project, which would be valuable information for a preliminary environmental assessment of the project. By using construction plans and specifications, the methodology and tool presented in this research can be used to estimate cost, fuel use and emissions from commercial, residential, industrial or heavy highway. By the proposed approach, it is possible to develop new fuel use and emissions inventories for construction industry in general.