Excess Supply Research Articles

BIM-Based Automatic Extraction of Daily Concrete and Formwork Requirements for Site Work Planning

Material planning is important in construction, for it affects procurement, cost, and schedule. Proper planning of material supply and logistics helps streamline the performance of all tasks through the avoidance of excessive or insufficient material supply. Material planning relies on quantity takeoff (QTO) and project schedules. Conventionally, quantity takeoff was a manual process based on 2D drawings and human interpretation and was error-prone. Presently, with the popularity of Building Information Modelling (BIM), in BIM-based projects, using inbuilt quantity takeoff functions, quantities of work can be generated automatically from BIM models to aid the quantity takeoff. However, if those inbuilt QTO solutions are object-based, then the quantities of works extracted may not meet the requirements of the users in selected cases, e.g., in zone-based construction projects. Also, for estimating daily material requirements, the accuracy of the quantities of work becomes more important, not only for the purpose of efficient planning but also for reducing construction waste. Since works using the same type of material can go overlapping, in addition to estimating the amount of material for each work, the total amount of material for a day must also be calculated. Thus, this research aims to develop a framework for automatic extraction of zone-based concrete volumes and formwork positions for cast-in-place concrete structures using the data in BIM models, followed by linking them with project schedules for estimating daily concrete and formwork requirements. This framework extends the body of knowledge by introducing an innovative algorithm for automatically calculating overlapped areas between concrete members and a rule for naming tasks in the schedule, followed by evaluating the formwork requirements without drawing formwork in a 3D model. A software tool will be developed to achieve the aim, and a case study will be used to validate the proposed framework.

Factors affecting survival and growth of the East Asian common octopus (Octopus sinensis) paralarvae reared from hatching to settlement in upwelling tanks at different scales of mass production

There is an ever-increasing global demand for aquaculture of common octopuses. Rearing technology for paralarvae of the East Asian common octopus (Octopus sinensis) has been recently improved by developing an upwelling rearing system in combination with supplying zoeae of the swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) as feed. However, this is still at a laboratory scale (1 kL water volume), and optimal rearing conditions are still unknown. Trials with a pilot large-scale system are here compared with the performance of a successful small-scale system. To investigate optimal rearing conditions for paralarvae, relationships between rearing parameters and paralarval survival and growth were analyzed using the data from 28 experimental laboratory-scale rearing trials of paralarvae conducted in three different research institutes. A large upwelling system was constructed using two adjacent rectangular tanks (8 kL volume each, 16 kL maximum capacity): one containing paralarvae; the other used as a server tank. Two water inflow pipes were installed in the rearing tank to produce steady upwelling. This system produced between 2505 and 4694 settled juveniles over three trials. The survival rate (15, 20, and 64 %) did not differ from the results using small 1 kL systems. Throughout the 28 trials, there was a total yield of 26,213 settled juveniles at a survival rate of 63.8 ± 23.2 % (range 15–96 %). There was no particular factor affecting paralarval survival and growth during the first half of the rearing period (P1). A high water temperature (24.4 °C) improved survival rate during both the total (PT) and second half of the paralarval rearing period (P2), as well as growth rate during PT, when compared to lower water temperature (22.1 °C). The amount of zoeae of P. trituberculatus supplied negatively affected the survival rate during P2 and PT, suggesting that excess food supply may reduce paralarval survival due to nutritional degradation of uneaten zoeae remaining in the rearing tanks. Paralarval size at hatching did not affect the growth rate, but there was a significant positive correlation between hatchling size and size-at-age of reared octopuses. These results indicate that the upwelling system for rearing paralarvae of O. sinensis can be scaled up even using large rectangular tanks by introducing multiple water inflow pipes, and that paralarval survival and growth can be improved by using large hatchlings, a water temperature at 24–25 °C, and a closely monitored optimal supply of healthy zoeae.

Stochastic Differential Game of Sustainable Allocation Strategy for Idle Emergency Supplies in Post-Disaster Management

This study aims to explore allocation strategies for idle emergency supplies in a “demander–platform–supplier” supply chain system along with government regulation during the post-disaster recovery period. Allocation of emergency supplies is a complex task that encompasses resource allocation before and after disasters. It is essential to reduce losses in disaster-stricken areas and support development during post-disaster recovery. However, there is often an excessive supply of emergency materials and a mismatch between supply and demand sides in downstream supply chains, which may lead to severe waste and difficulties in recovering surplus materials. This paper takes idle emergency resource sharing level and corporate social responsibility goodwill as endogenous variables. The allocation approaches are dynamically evaluated by incorporating random elements that influence the endogenous variables. Three stochastic differential games are introduced to examine the interactions between the players. The centralized decision-making satisfies the consistency of overall and individual rationalities at any time in the emergency material allocation process, promoting the optimal sharing levels of emergency materials and overall profits. The decentralized decision-making with cost-sharing contracts achieves local optima and increases the dual marginal effect of the emergency industry chain. This paper incorporates the sharing economy into emergency management, showing how technology-driven sharing platforms can optimize resource utilization. The results suggest introducing cost-sharing contracts between demanders and suppliers can enhance collaboration and effort, leading to better resource allocation and increased efficiency. It contributes to sustainability by promoting efficient resource utilization through idle emergency resource sharing. By optimizing allocation strategies and enhancing corporate social responsibility, the study fosters the long-term viability and resilience of the supply chain system in post-disaster management.

Digital transformation and supply chain concentration: evidence from China

ABSTRACT Excessive supply chain concentration (SCC) introduces various risks, and the factors contributing to SCC are complex and have been rarely explored. This study examines the economic impact of digital transformation on supply chains by analysing data from China’s A-share listed companies (2010–2021) using regression models. The findings demonstrate that digital transformation significantly reduces supply chain concentration and increases the firms’ influence within the supply chain. The mechanism analysis shows that digital transformation makes firms more attractive to suppliers and customers, eases financing constraints, boosts firm reputation, and reduces SCC. The impact is more pronounced in firms facing higher environmental uncertainty or those positioned upstream in the supply chain. Except for blockchain, all five dimensions of digital transformation help to reduce SCC, thereby improving total factor productivity and economic growth. Digital transformation also creates a spillover effect, raising expectations for digital transformation and productivity among suppliers and customers. These findings have significant implications for understanding digital transformation practices and advancing supply chain management. The conclusions remain robust after various tests, including changes to the measures of variables and controls for reverse causality using lagged treatment and instrumental variables.

Search Steering in Two-Sided Platforms

Many two-sided platforms are known to steer customers toward certain products based on their willingness to pay. In this article, we study platforms’ incentives to adopt this type of market segmentation and present conditions under which this can generate distortions that negatively impact the surplus from buyers and sellers. In our environment, a monopolistic platform matches sellers with buyers. Upon being matched, each pair of buyer and seller negotiates prices. If they choose to transact, the platform receives a commission fee proportional to the value of the transaction plus a flat fee per transaction. The platform is assumed to have full information about customers’ and sellers’ outside options. We show that, as long as the market is in excess supply or as long as there is a crossing between the demand and supply curves , the platform’s optimal matching is suboptimal from the perspective of buyers and sellers.

Benzodiazepine Utilization in Ischemic Stroke Survivors: Analyzing Initial Excess Supply and Longitudinal Trends.

Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for post-acute ischemic stroke for anxiety, insomnia, and agitation. While guidelines discourage use in those aged ≥65 years, little is known about prescription patterns at the national level. We analyzed a 20% sample of US Medicare claims from April 1, 2013, to September 30, 2021. We selected beneficiaries aged ≥65 years discharged alive following an acute ischemic stroke who had traditional Medicare coverage and 6 months' prior enrollment in Parts A (hospital insurance), B (Medical insurance), and D (drug coverage). We excluded those with prior benzodiazepine prescriptions, self-discharges, or discharge to skilled nursing facilities. We examined demographics, comorbidities, first prescription days' supply, cumulative incidences of benzodiazepine first prescription fills within 90 days after discharge, and geographic and yearly trends. We included 126 050 beneficiaries with a mean age of 78 years (SD, 8); 54% were female and 82% were White. Within 90 days, 6127 (4.9%) initiated a benzodiazepine. Among new prescriptions, lorazepam (40%) and alprazolam (33%) were the most prescribed. Most (76%) of first fills had a day's supply over 7 days and 55% between 15 and 30 days. Female initiation rates were higher (5.5% [95% CI, 5.3-5.7]) than male initiation rates (3.8% [95% CI, 3.6%-3.9%]). Rates were highest in the southeast (5.1% [95% CI, 4.8%-5.3%]) and lowest in the midwest (4.0% [95% CI, 3.8%-4.3%]), with a modest nationwide initiation decline from 2013 to 2021 (cumulative incidence difference, 1.6%). Despite a gradual decline in benzodiazepine initiation from 2013 to 2021, we noted excessive supplies in prescriptions post-acute ischemic stroke discharge, underscoring the need for improved policies.

Neuroglia markers expression in the cingulate and retrosplenial cortex of mice after nonseptic dose of lipopolysaccharide

Aim. To study the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) in the cerebral cingulate and retrosplenial cortex of mice on Day 5 after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at the dose with no nervous tissue inflammation provoked.Materials and methods. The work was performed on 10 female C57BL/6 mice aged 90 ± 3 days. At the same time for 4 days, animals of group 1 were intraperitoneally injected with saline (0.9% NaCl), and animals of group 2 were injected with E. coli LPS endotoxin at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day. On the fifth day, the mice were withdrawn from the experiment by decapitation with xylazine/tiletamine-zoletil premedication, after which histological preparations of the cingulate and retrosplenial cortex were made, stained with antibodies to GFAP and Iba1, and the number of: (1) GFAP-positive cells of cytoplasmic areas, (2) cells with a positive reaction of antibodies to Iba1 were counted using QuPath software. Groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U-test.Results. The number of GFAP-positive cells after LPS administration in Group 2 was significantly higher than in Group 1, exactly 22.5 (8.0; 32.0) vs 9.0 (4.3; 17.0), respectively, p = 0.0038. The number of Iba1-positive portions of cytoplasm also was significantly higher in Group 2, namely 207,5 (154,8; 295,8) vs 128 (89,3; 165,5), respectively, p = 0,014. Both groups showed neither signs of inflammation, excessive blood supply nor hemorrhages, as well as no perivascular edema or leukocytic migration.Conclusion. LPS, administered i.p. to mice at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day for 4 days, allows assessment of changes in glia of CNS in damage with no signs of inflammation there. In cerebral cingulate and retrosplenial cortex, the number of astrocytes with a positive reaction of antibodies to GFAP increases, as well as number macrophages with the expression of the Iba1 protein.

Efficient Coordination Among Chinese Provinces in Managing Supply and Demand for Staple Crops

ABSTRACTEnsuring a stable supply and demand of food represents a pivotal challenge for sustainable development. This study seeks to delineate the spatiotemporal distribution and circulation patterns of supply and demand for staple crops, identify the major producing and consuming zones in China, and investigate the drivers underpinning efficient coordination of food supply and demand. Results indicate that between 2000 and 2020, China's food supply and demand expanded by 73.8% and 36.62%, respectively, achieving a supply surplus. However, the most significant threats to supply–demand coordination are the extensive use of feed and industrial crops, compounded by the import vulnerabilities arising from global supply chain uncertainties. In terms of major producing and consuming zones, Northeast China plays a vital role in the national food supply, contributing 71% of domestic soybeans, 55% of its maize, and 34% of its rice. Climatic conditions and self‐sufficiency rates are key determinants of provincial supply and demand for staple crops. Provinces such as Sichuan, Hubei, Anhui, and Shandong represent balanced producing–consuming zones for these staple crops. To enhance food supply–demand coordination, tailored and adaptive measures for different provinces are imperative. This study offers theoretical insights to understand the trends of food supply and demand and further contributes to adaptive strategies to address climate change for sustainable food systems.

Resource productivity and determinants of technical efficiency among cassava farmers’ in north central, Nigeria

This research analyzed resource productivity and determinants of technical efficiency among cassava farmers in North Central, Nigeria. This research employed a multi-stage sampling technique. Primary data were used based on a well-designed questionnaire. Inferential and descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis. The results of resource productivity of inputs show that cassava cuttings and fertilizer have the highest and lowest elasticities, respectively. The mean-TE (Technical Efficiency) score of 74% (0.74) indicates that an average smallholder cassava producer in the sample needs about 26% (0.26) additional inputs to get to the frontier. In the TE components, the coefficients of labour, and fertilizers are significant different from zero at 1% probability level. The coefficients of agrochemicals, land inputs are significantly different from zero at 5% probability level, while the coefficient of cassava cuttings are significant different from zero at 10% probability level. In the TIE (technical inefficiency), component the coefficients of age, credit received, members of cooperatives are significant different from zero at 1% probability level. The policy formulations should be directed towards considering technological substitutions and mechanized agriculture. Excessive labour supply, characteristics of the developing agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, could be pushed into the secondary sector of the Nigerian economy such as the cassava processing industry, therefore generating income, employment and maintaining Nigeria in the first (1st) position in the world ranking in term of cassava output. Also, it is recommended that improved cuttings, agrochemicals, and fertilizers should be made available to cassava farmers at appropriate time to increase productivity. Furthermore, credit should be made available to cassava farmers at a single digit interest rate, devoid of cumbersome administrative procedures. Keywords: Resource productivity, technical efficiency, cassava farmers, stochastic frontier model, Nigeria

The impact of all-inclusive offerings in a tourism destination’s competitiveness

This study analyzes the impact of all-inclusive offerings on a destination's competitiveness. When the rise in all-inclusive offerings causes a negative externality on complementary services, it creates a market-size effect. This results in an excessive supply of all-inclusive offerings in the market. Imposing different taxes on all-inclusive and non-all-inclusive offerings is more effective than a cap on the supply of all-inclusive offerings. Taxes can implement the optimal allocation. We expect the market-size effect to be harmful to competitiveness in mature destinations.

Application of Fuzzy Mamdani Method to Predict the Number of Blood Bags Based on Demand and Supply Data Using Matlab

Fuzzy logic is a control system technique in solving problems and is applied to systems, from basic systems to difficult or complex systems. Fuzzy logic is the proper method to plan an input space into an output space using MATLAB's mathematical theory of fuzzy sets. The reason for using fuzzy logic is because it is related to uncertainty. The unstable demand for blood bags in hospitals makes the supply of blood bags excessive or lacking from demand. The lack of blood supply results in the unfulfilled demand for blood needed by the hospital, while the excess blood supply worsens the quality of blood. In this study, we will predict the number of bags produced using the Mamdani Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) method based on the minimum demand and maximum demand values and the minimum supply and maximum supply that produce output from the defuzzification process. Applying the Mamdani Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) method based on demand and supply data obtains optimal output with MATLAB in predicting the number of blood bags produced. The results of the study showed that the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) fuzzy logic Mamdani error value was 24%, the accuracy value of the Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) Mamdani in determining the number of blood bag production was 76%, and the production output generated through the Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) Mamdani was 4,774 blood bags. The number of blood requests at the hospital is 4,443 blood bags, so the amount of blood that must be produced to meet the hospital's demand is 4,774 bags.

Excess supply of sulfur mitigates thallium toxicity to rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth in hydroponic experiment

Sulfur (S) is an essential element for the growth of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.), crucial for enhancing crop yield and grain quality. However, its potential in mitigating thallium (Tl) toxicity in rice remains unclear. In this study, a hydroponic experiment was performed to investigate the effects of low, medium and high S application levels (LS, MS, HS) on Tl accumulation in rice at three Tl exposure levels (0, 0.5 and 1 mg·L−1). Our findings reveal that the exogenous S application could alleviate Tl toxicity, enhancing fresh weight and shoot length of rice plant. Additionally, HS (HS, SO42− content was 387.84 mg·L−1) group significantly increased chlorophyll and glutathione (GSH) content by 6.46 to 21.38 % and 2.15 to 7.31 % respectively, while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 17.43 to 28.48 %, compared to MS (MS, SO42− content was 193.41 mg·L−1) group. Fe content in rice roots and iron plaque consistently increased with S provision under Tl-free and Tl-contaminated conditions. In Tl exposure environment, HS and LS (LS, SO42− content was 1.02 mg·L−1) groups exhibited significant differences in Fe contents and iron plaque in rice root. Moreover, in Tl exposure environment, S application reduced Tl concentration in iron plaque, root, and shoot, HS treatment showed Tl content reduction from 16.29 % to 25.89 %, compared to LS treatment. Our findings underscore the potential of S application in hydroponic environment to promote rice growth and mitigate Tl accumulation, offering insights for developing effective Tl remediation strategies by using S-contained fertilizers.

Keterkaitan pangan dan politik-ekonomi global

Background: Global food needs will continue to increase, this cannot be separated from the increase in population which has implications for the increase in food needs which until now the world's population has increased. The availability and unavailability of food are related to the relationship between supply and demand in a global context. Findings: The hegemony of food power is not absolutely influenced by food barn countries but global food politics that enter the food chain are one of the developing issues. The control that occurs is not only in the harvesting process but also the process from planting, maintenance, to post-harvest and processing. Therefore, each country has its own unique position even though it does not have a large food barn but is still able to control global food. Methods: This study uses a descriptive qualitative method with a primary and secondary database through data collection techniques using interview techniques. Conclusion: Factors that influence food politics and dynamics have a long chain, not only farmers and buyers but there are indirect agents who add to the food process chain. Global policy intervention through institutions is carried out directly on agricultural policies and in general development policies that overall encourage global market agriculture. Support for local agricultural development subsidies and building proxy policies for small farmers when there is a surplus or deficit in supply during exports or imports.

Comprehensive review of energy management strategies: Considering battery energy storage system and renewable energy sources

AbstractThe transformation of power system networks is slowly taking shape, the advent of interruptive technological platforms dealing with digitalization and real‐time trading of power has gained attention based on incorporation of more renewables into the grid. The stochastic nature of renewables pauses security of supply challenges and other related stability concerns, and for this reason efficient methods are investigated in this review to build an understanding of microgrid energy management system (MG‐EMS) and distribution‐based energy management strategies aimed at transforming the conventional grid network into smart grid network. In essence, propagating a technological shift to microgrids which have proven to be ideal distribution networks for residential and commercial loads, have become indispensable in handling distributed energy resources (DER), such as solar, PV, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and small‐scale microgrids, for example in case of excess supply, energy storage system (ESS) has been formulated as a solution to curb excess supply and can offer ancillary services to the grid network. Within the perspective of electricity generation and distribution, microgrid control methodologies, distribution network (DN) management approaches and incumbent optimization strategies used to coordinate and manage grid‐level uncertainties are investigated. In addition, this study proposes distributionally robust optimization (DRO), to manage and mitigate risks associated to shortage or oversupply of power from RESs.

Evaluation of Public Transportation System through Social Network Analysis Approach

In response to the phenomenon of global warming, the transportation sector aims to mitigate carbon emissions by promoting the use of public transportation. This study employs social network analysis to propose effective improvements to the public transportation system, focusing on bus stop locations and route networks in Hwaseong City, South Korea. Two networks were constructed based on existing public transportation routes and usage data at each bus stop. The findings and implications are as follows: Analyzing the public transportation network from a network perspective can effectively contribute to improving the public transportation network route system. By evaluating centrality and brokerage for the existing routes, it is possible to identify inefficient routes and develop efficient route modification plans. Based on actual usage patterns, excessive bus supply and unnecessary bus stop locations can be identified, allowing for the establishment of appropriate operational plans. This can lead to improved operational efficiency and cost savings. Rational route design and operational planning can enhance public transportation services and promote increased use of public transportation. Ultimately, this contributes to sustainable development through carbon reduction in the transportation sector.

Outward Foreign Direct Investment and Supply Chain Concentration: Evidence from China

The potential risks arising from excessive supply chain concentration have received more and more attention. In practice, high supply chain concentration hinders firms’ sustainable development, especially for firms in emerging markets. However, how to reduce supply chain concentration remains an underexplored problem. Outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) has been an important strategy for firms to reallocate and optimize their supply chain relationships. Thus, we tried to explore whether OFDI can serve as an effective method to reduce supply chain concentration by analyzing their relationship. Using the data of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2008 to 2022, this paper empirically examines the impact of OFDI on supply chain concentration through a two-way fixed-effects model. We find that OFDI significantly reduces supply chain concentration, and this conclusion still holds after using alternative measures of the independent variable and dependent variable, endogeneity treatment, the Heckman two-stage model test, controlling for provincial factors, and excluding special samples. Channel analysis reveals that OFDI reduces supply chain concentration mainly through increasing market share, enhancing innovation capacity, and improving reputation. Cross-sectional analysis shows that the negative effect of OFDI on supply chain concentration is more pronounced in state-owned firms, firms under high industry competition, and high-tech firms. Our findings have important implications for firms to build sustainable supply chain relationships and strengthen supply chain resilience, and for policymakers to guide OFDI reasonably. Future research could further explore the effect of firms’ investment decisions on supply chain configuration.

Hydrogen energy storage system integrated with the surplus energy from Hydropower plant in the context of Nepal: A parametric study

Abstract With the search for emission-free energy sources, hydrogen is considered a reliable alternative to store energy from renewable sources like wind, solar, thermal, and hydropower. Hydrogen has minimal environmental implications and can be stored and transported whenever there is an energy demand that other intermittent sources cannot suffice. This project aims to study the integration of hydropower with a hydrogen production and storage plant in Nepal to utilize excess energy supply that will exceed the country’s demand shortly. The excess power from the hydropower will be used to produce hydrogen from the water coming out from the tailrace. This water will also be a coolant for cooling the hydrogen before passing to the storage unit. This parametric analysis shows the effect of variation in the hydrogen inlet pressure before it enters the compressor unit and the impact of variation in storage tank pressure on the energy and exergy efficiency of the overall hydrogen production and storage system. In the first case, the inlet pressure varies from 0 to 20 MPa at three different constant storage pressures 40 MPa, 60 MPa, and 90 MPa. An increase in inlet pressure gradually increases energy and exergy efficiencies, but an increase in storage pressure lowers this efficiency. The reduction is more significant at a high value of inlet pressure. In the second case, the storage pressure varies between 20-80 MPa with constant inlet pressure at 0.1 MPa, 1 MPa, and 5 MPa. The increase in storage pressure gradually reduces efficiency, whereas the higher inlet pressure has higher efficiency. Hydrogen fills the gap between supply and demand of energy, so considering hydrogen production with multiple-stage compression and integration of three sources of energy: wind, solar, and hydropower has an excellent prospect for consistent and low carbon emission solutions.

A Fault Recovery Method for Distribution Networks With Distributed Power Sources Based on 5G Smart Terminal

Firstly, a smart terminal is designed based on 5G communication technology, which is embedded with various protection measurement devices to form a 5G smart terminal. A distributed control model for the distribution network is constructed based on 5G smart terminals, and an objective function is designed taking into account factors such as restoring important loads, surplus power supply in the distribution network, network losses, and the number of switch actions. Finally, the Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA) is improved using elite reverse learning strategy and dynamic sine perturbation strategy, and it is used to solve the objective function. Based on the IEEE33 distribution network node system, experimental tests are conducted, and the results show that the average delay of 5G smart terminals is about 30ms. Taking 14:00 as an example, the proposed method achieves network loss, number of switch actions, recovered important load power, and power supply surplus of 46.39 kW, 3 times, 185.65 kW, 240.28 kW, respectively. The fault recovery effect of the distribution network is ideal.

Demand and Supply Drivers of Medicare and Non-Medicare Health Spending: An Analysis of U.S. States, 1991-2019.

For the last four decades, policymakers have attempted to control the United States's high health care costs by reducing patients' demand for care (e.g., by imposing managed-care restrictions or high costs on patients at the time of use). Yet studies based mostly on data from the public Medicare program, which covers mostly elderly Americans, suggest that supply (e.g., number of physicians or hospital beds) rather than demand drives aggregate service use and, hence, costs. Using variation between U.S. states in per enrollee Medicare spending versus per capita spending of all other (non-Medicare) individuals, we find that greater supply boosts costs for the entire population. Furthermore, we find that factors that suppress demand in the non-Medicare population do reduce non-Medicare health care spending, but simultaneously increase Medicare spending. This suggests that for a given supply of medical resources, suppressing demand for one group of patients may produce a compensatory increase in provision of care to those whose demand has not been suppressed. Health planning to assure adequate medical resources where they are needed while preventing excess supply where it is duplicative and wasteful is likely a more effective cost control strategy than the imposition of managed-care restrictions or imposing higher costs onto patients seeking care.

Smart nutrient management Nutrient Expert® enhances rice productivity through adjusting source-sink relationships during grain filling

Smart nutrient management optimises chemical fertiliser application while maintaining crop yields. Nutrient Expert® (NE) is a user-friendly smart nutrient management system designed to improve the productivity of smallholder farmers. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying the effects of nutrient management have yet to be fully understood. We analysed data from field experiments conducted in South and Northeast China to explore the effects of different nitrogen (N) fertiliser inputs and nutrient management systems on panicle weight and post-flowering source-sink relationships in various cropping seasons of rice. Treatments included NE recommendation, local farmers’ practices (FP), soil test based fertiliser recommendation (ST), and four N rate treatments with plus or minus 25 % and plus or minus 50 % of NE. Our analysis indicated that rice panicle weight and N accumulation increased with increasing N application rate up to a recommended rate by NE in most cases, beyond which there was little further increase. Moreover, NE significantly enhanced rice panicle weight and N accumulation compared to FP and ST in the single-season rice in Northeast China. In all experiments, both in South and Northeast China, the post-flowering source-sink difference gradually increased from negative to positive values with an increase in N application rate. Too low N application rate resulted in insufficient source supply, while too high N application rate gave excessive source supply since the sink demand reached its upper limit. Compared with FP and ST, NE achieved higher source supply and sink demand in the single-season rice, and mobilised more N from source organs to sink organs. Our analysis provides evidence for positive impacts of integrated nutrient management strategies on rice source-sink relationships and offers a physiological basis for improved rice productivity of designed NE nutrient management strategies.