Increasing Labor Costs Research Articles

Sectoral and Country-Origin Dynamics of FDI in China in 1997-2020

FDI flows in China have increased for decades, but the sectoral and country-origin distribution change over times. Chinese FDI inflows have experienced a shift from manufacturing to real estate and service sectors. A series of factors including labor cost increase, currency appreciation, overcapacity of production, domestic competition rise and US trade war cause negative effects on manufacturing FDI flows. However, rising purchasing power, consumer demand and market capacity create new opportunities for foreign business in China. The government makes efforts to nurture service trade as an engine of economic growth alongside trade in goods. Many incentive policies have been launched for numerous service industries. These are the push hand behind the rapid rise in service FDI. The neighboring countries or regions in Asia and free trade ports with taxation advantages contribute vast majority of the FDI in China. Hong Kong's status as the largest supplier of FDI to the mainland has become increasingly prominent over the past 20 years, partially due to so called “round-trip” FDI. Chinese economic diplomacy promotes regional integration in East and Southeast Asia, and creates conditions for the liberalization of intra-regional investment. Closer trade connections with European countries boost the EU investment in China over recent years. Our studies of FDI's structural changes in China can generate policy implications widely for the government, foreign companies and investors, as well as developing countries committed to FDI attraction.

Features of the functional state of the organism of sheep under stress

The stresses that arise during routine animal husbandry procedures, such as milking, shearing, weighing, loading and hoof care, are an actual problem in animal husbandry. The components of economic damage under stress are a decrease in overall resistance and productivity, deterioration in product quality, an increase in labor costs and funds per unit of production, an increase in animal morbidity and mortality. The studies were carried out on the basis of Belozernoe farm in the Salsky district, the Rostov region. A complex of clinical and laboratory studies was performed on 18 sheep (10 Romanov and 8 Tsigay breeds) aged 2 to 3 years, before and after a planned routine shearing. Stress in sheep caused by planned shearing was clinically manifested by general depression, in some cases, subfebrile fever, moderate tachypnea and tachycardia. It was shown that stress was accompanied by anemia, the development of erythropenia and leukopenia. Immunocompetent cells in the blood of experimental animals during stress development were analyzed. Severe lymphocytopenia was found to occur after a haircut. In addition, in the blood of experimental animals under stress, a tendency to a decrease in T-total cells was noted, which was accompanied by an increase in 0-cells, which was significant in sheep of the Tsigay breed (p0.05). When analyzing the main immunoregulatory T cells in sheep under stress, a significant increase in T-suppressors was revealed with a relatively stable level of T-helpers in the blood studied. Thus, a significant (p0.05) increase in the level of T-suppressors in sheep of Romanov and Tsigay breeds was recorded; it was by 1.15 and 1.19 times higher compared with the initial data. It should be noted that we did not find any significant differences between animals of Romanov and Tsigay breeds in stress development after shearing. The obtained data should be taken into account in the further search for methods of stress correction in sheep.

The role of labour unrest and skilled labour on outward foreign direct investment in Taiwan, Republic of China, ROC

AbstractThis paper builds an estimation model to test whether improved labour standards necessarily lead firms to send work offshore to countries with lower wages and fewer employment protections; or improved labour standards influence the labour market, where with time, firms attract more skilled workers, which help deter outward foreign direct investment (FDI). When more firms comply with improved labour standards, the industrial relations climate also improves as non-compliance usually causes labour unrest. Using a model built on pooled cross-sectional time-series data from 2008–17, we studied the role of changes in labour unrest and the percentage of skilled workers in the labour force in predicting outward FDI in Taiwan. Per our estimation model, we found the percentage of skilled workers steadily increased as Taiwan maintained improved labour standards. The increase in skilled workers also increased labour costs making it challenging for firms to stay onshore. However, skilled workers helped firms improve productivity, which justified increased labour costs. As a result, firms in Taiwan that complied with labour standards found it less challenging to pay higher wages and stayed onshore.

Advance of Target Visual Information Acquisition Technology for Fresh Fruit Robotic Harvesting: A Review

In view of the continuous increase in labor costs for complex picking tasks, there is an urgent demand for intelligent harvesting robots in the global fresh fruit cultivation industry. Fruit visual information is essential to guide robotic harvesting. However, obtaining accurate visual information about the target is critical in complex agricultural environments. The main challenges include the image color distortion under changeable natural light, occlusions from the interlaced plant organs (stems, leaves, and fruits), and the picking point location on fruits with variable shapes and poses. On top of summarizing the current status of typical fresh fruit harvesting robots, this paper outlined the state-of-the-art advance of visual information acquisition technology, including image acquisition in the natural environment, fruit recognition from the complex backgrounds, target stereo locating and measurement, and fruit search among the plants. It then analyzed existing problems and raised future potential research trends from two aspects, multiple images fusion and self-improving algorithm model.

The “Appropriateness”and “Transparency” of Clinical Trial Costs: Benchmarking Costs Based on Fair Market Value

The “appropriateness” and “transparency” of clinical trial costs in Japan need to be ensured based on the concept of fair market value (FMV). Here, we clarify the mechanism underlying benchmark-based costs and examine the issues that need to be addressed when introducing such a system to sponsors and medical institutions to promote its widespread use. We collected information from IQVIA Services Japan K.K. and Medidata Solutions Inc., the two main global providers of clinical trial cost benchmarking data, regarding the mechanism underlying the collection of cost data, which is the basis of benchmark data, for the provision of services, and provide an overview of the calculation method for clinical trial costs based on benchmark data. Both systems extract and store task-specific cost data for medical examinations, tests, and other tasks in clinical trials. Information is collected from a large number of clinical trial sponsors, and the data are updated periodically to reflect the latest prevailing prices, including the increases in prices and labor costs in each country. Some issues exist in the benchmark data, such as a lack of data on the cost of each service at medical institutions, and differences in the treatment of tests and diagnostic imaging related to expenses not covered by the uninsured combined medical care cost system. As clinical trials using benchmarked costs become more widespread, the reliability of the benchmark data on which the compensation for individual clinical trial tasks is based can be expected to improve.

Pulsed eddy currents in ferromagnetic pipes with cladding in nuclear power plants

The steam and water piping in a nuclear power plant is generally covered with cladding on the outer wall of the pipes, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency. The current means of detection for ferromagnetic pipes mainly involve conventional ultrasound and ultrasonic guided waves. Prior to the detection, outer wall insulation of the pipes needs to be removed, resulting in an extended detection period and increased labor costs, which fails to meet the requirements of high-quality development of the nuclear power plant. The application of pulsed-eddy current technology in the nuclear power plant removes insulation and enables online screening without shutdown. The ability to identify defects under large lift-off is an important indicator for pulsed eddy current technology, which is of great significance for implementing pulsed eddy current in the nuclear power sector. In this paper, the Maxwell module in ANSYS is used for pipe modeling and simulation. A vertical detection coil is designed to simulate the detection capability of pulsed eddy current for flat bottom defects under large lift-off. Sample pipes from the nuclear power plant are selected for vertical pulsed eddy current testing (PECT). The PECT results are rechecked against ultrasonic thickness measurement to verify the PECT performance under the lift-off scenario and propose future development trends.

Farm performance and input self-sufficiency increases with functional crop diversity on Swedish farms

Diversified crop production is a key agroecological practice that enhances ecosystem functions and reduces reliance on costly external inputs, such as for plant protection and nutrition but might also increase labour costs and lower crop yields. We investigate if functional diversification, i.e., cultivation of crop species with contrasting ecological functions, is associated with a higher growth in farm economic performance and input self-sufficiency. This is compared with increased related crop diversity i.e., the cultivation of genetically closely related crop species. We apply the system GMM dynamic panel data estimator to 35,195 medium and large Swedish farms (2001–2018), combining information on crop grown on each field and year with farm financial and individual characteristics. We find growth in farm economic performance and input self-sufficiency to respond positively to functional crop diversification and negatively to related crop diversification. The results highlight that a decomposed assessment of crop diversification provides an enhanced understanding of the build-up of resource-use efficiencies and production- and market risk reductions on Swedish farms.

Automatic variable rate fertilisation system for improved fertilisation uniformity in paddy fields

China currently relies on manual labour to fertilise paddy fields, hindering the improvement of fertilisation uniformity, management efficiency, and fertiliser use efficiency. Following a drastic decrease in the availability of agricultural labour, fertilisation operations are facing increasing labour costs and low reliability rates and this is threatening food security. This study developed an automatic fertilisation system suitable for pipe and canal irrigation systems in paddy fields, which measures the irrigation flowrate every second and adjusts the variation of the fertiliser flowrate to maintain a steady water-fertiliser ratio ( WFR ). An inexpensive single-chip microcomputer was used as the core of the system for precise control and tests were conducted to check its performance in concentration control. Results show that the fertilisation system developed in this study steadily controlled fertiliser concentration with a normalised mean absolute error ( NMAE ) ranging from 0.15% to 0.58% and from 0.22% to 0.63% for the tested pipe and canal irrigation systems, respectively. The fertiliser flowrate was adjusted to the irrigation flowrate instantly and accurately, with a maximum deviation of 0.56% in the WFR . This system drastically improved fertilisation uniformity compared to manual fertilisation, and had a Christiansen uniformity coefficient of 96.30%; a distribution uniformity of 0.93, and a coefficient of variation of 0.05. It also decreases labour costs, reduces potential pollutions and increases management efficiency. Thus, it can improve fertiliser use efficiency and contribute to the development of precision agriculture. • Automatic fertilisation system for paddy fields developed based on an SCM. • System is suitable for both pipe and canal irrigation systems. • Fertilisation is controlled by irrigation flowrate and responds to its change. • Fertiliser was applied with great precision and distributed uniformly in the field. • Proposed system can improve fertiliser use efficiency and reduce manual labour.

YUMSHATKICH PANJANING TUPROQQA KIRISH BURCHAGINING UNING TORTISHGA BO‘LGAN QARSHILIGIGA TASIRI

In the aisles of seedlings of fruit trees in new orchards, it is possible to receive additional income within 5-8 years by sowing and growing various vegetable and gourd crops, however, most farms do not use this opportunity. The reason for this is that in order to prepare for sowing, the soil plowed in early spring in the passages of gardens should be loosened, clods should be crushed, the surface - leveled and irrigation furrows - cut. When performing these works, at present, each technological process needs a separate passage of the corresponding agricultural unit. However, this leads to an increase in labor, time and energy costs. Considering the foregoing, this article presents findings from a research into the development of a design for a combined unit that performs a range of works, in one go, on preparing the soil for sowing when growing vegetable and gourd crops in the garden passages, as well as determining some parameters of the working bodies of this unit. In particular, a method for determining an optimal angle of entry into the soil of the loosening paw of the developed unit and the traction resistance of this working body is shown. As a result of the research, in view of effective and high-quality operation of the unit, the optimal angle of entry of the loosening paw into the soil was worked out as αmax = 25...35o, as well as the traction resistance of this working body – as R = 320...400 N, while, the values of the width of the paw and the depth of tillage are taken equal, respectively b = 0.04...0.06 m, h = 0.15 m.

The Impact of Economic Recession on Tender Rates of Building Projects in Nigeria

The recent economic recession in Nigeria affected all sectors of the economy. This paper aims to determine the factors that affect tender rates of building projects, determine the impact of economic recession on the components of tender rate compare the tender rates before and during the economic recession and identify the contractors’ mitigation strategies. The study was conducted using a trend survey design. It was discovered that economic imbalance contributed majorly to the increase in tender rates as a result of an increase in material cost and labour cost, the average percentage increase of the constituents of tender rate such as the cost of building material during the recession is 18.79% from 0.80% before the recession, cost of labour is 14.45% from 3.33%, cost of hiring plants is 14.00% from 4.63% and the total average percentage increase of tender rate before the recession was 2.92% and during the recession is 14.90.

Special report: The AgAID AI institute for transforming workforce and decision support in agriculture

Tackling the grand challenges of 21st century agriculture (Ag) will require a fundamental shift in the way we envision the role of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and in the way we build agricultural AI systems. This shift is needed especially for complex, high-value agricultural ecosystems such as those in the Western U.S., where 300+ crops are grown. Farmers and policy makers in this region face variable profitability, major crop loss and poor crop quality owing to several challenges, including increased labor costs and shortages of skilled workers, weather and management uncertainties, and water scarcity. While AI is expected to be a significant tool for addressing these challenges, AI capabilities must be expanded and will need to account for human input and human behavior – calling for a strong AI-Ag coalition that also creates new opportunities to achieve sustained innovation. Accomplishing this goal goes well beyond the scope of any specific research project or disciplinary silo and requires a more holistic transdisciplinary effort in research, development, and training. To respond to this need, we initiated the AgAID Institute, a multi-institution, transdisciplinary National AI Research Institute that will build new public-private partnerships involving a diverse range of stakeholders in both agriculture and AI. The institute focuses its efforts on providing AI solutions to specialty crop agriculture where the challenges pertaining to water availability, climate variability and extreme weather, and labor shortages, are all significantly pronounced. Our approach to all AgAID Institute activities is being guided by three cross-cutting principles: (i) adoption as a first principle in AI design; (ii) adaptability to changing environments and scales, and (iii) amplification of human skills and machine efficiency. The AgAID Institute is conducting a range of activities including: using agricultural AI applications as testbeds for developing innovative AI technologies and workflows; laying the technological foundations for climate-smart agriculture; serving as a nexus for culturally inclusive collaborative and transdisciplinary learning and knowledge co-production; preparing the next generation workforce for careers at the intersection of Ag and AI technology; and facilitating technology adoption and transfer.

How Do Employers Belonging to Marginalized Communities Respond to Minimum Wage Increases? The Case of Immigrant-Owned Businesses in Seattle.

Minimum wage opponents often argue that businesses owned by marginalized communities, which include woman-owned, Black-owned, and immigrant-owned businesses, are exceptionally vulnerable to minimum wage increases. Little research has investigated this claim. Using a unique survey of Seattle businesses that includes owners' nativity status and was administered while the city began to phase in its $15 minimum wage ordinance, the authors find that immigrant-owned businesses respond to the higher minimum wage in ways that largely conform to the responses of other businesses. Nevertheless, immigrant-owned franchises are less likely than other franchises to fire employees, reduce employees' hours, or lower the wages of employees earning more than $15 per hour. Evidence suggests that immigrant franchisees have a lower likelihood of passing the increased labor costs onto employees because they use fewer employees and rely more heavily on family labor compared to other franchisees. The authors' findings suggest that firms owned by marginalized and nonmarginalized groups respond to municipal-level minimum wage increases in comparable ways. Nevertheless, marginalized status may matter more in certain sectors of the economy than in others.

Degradable Mulch as an Alternative to Polyethylene for Watermelon Production

Polyethylene mulch is widely used for vegetable production in the United States as a tool to conserve water, control weeds, and produce earlier and cleaner products (i.e., less attached soil). However, the increasing labor costs for mulch removal and disposal after harvest and soil environmental pollution are major concerns. The objective of this study was to assess fruit yield and quality, mulch deterioration, soil microbial activity, and nutrient changes in ‘Stargazer’ watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) grown with degradable plastic mulch. The deterioration rates of degradable mulch were 7%, 37%, 57%, and 92% after 120, 210, 300, and 365 days, respectively, of placing the mulch in the field. However, the extra difference in using degradable mulch was calculated as $58.6/acre (polyethylene $600.9/acre vs. degradable $659.5/acre), including all costs associated with laying and disposing. One year after placing mulch in the field, the nitrate content and total and active fungi numerically increased (P = 0.08) in soils with the degradable mulch compared with polyethylene mulch. However, there were no statistical differences in soil phosphorus, potassium, organic carbon, and total and active bacteria. Extra-large fruit size yield (category >24.0 lb) from the polyethylene mulch treatment was higher than that from degradable mulch, whereas the 18.0- to 24.0-lb category was lower than that with degradable mulch. However, total yield and total soluble solids from both mulches were statistically similar. Considering the complete deterioration (less waste), mulch removal cost (not required), microbial associations (higher fungi abundance and activity), and similar yield and fruit quality of degradable mulch compared with polyethylene, the implementation of degradable mulches in commercial watermelon field practices is promising.

The Emergence of MQL with vegetable oil as a green manufacturing technique: A Review

For every manufacturing industry, product rejection is not tolerable. Productivity suffers because of rejection, material cost, and labor cost increases. Cutting fluids are used to protect the tool and work-piecework-piece from the damaging effects of high temperatures and poor surface finishes. Cutting fluids are used as lubricating and cooling agents. Due to cost constraints, most small-scale industries in developing nations employ conventional flood lubrication systems, resulting in increased exposure to dangerous chemicals and environmental issues. As a result of increased health concerns and rigorous government regulations, innovative methods to decrease or remove harmful cutting fluid have been developed. In this review paper, three approaches are considered while surveying the literature. Hazardous effects of the cutting fluids; comparison of dry, flood, and MQL cutting; and performance of the cutting fluids prepared using vegetable oil. It is found that vegetable oil with minimum quantity lubrication under different machining conditions gives better performance and reduces health hazards.

Impact of labour unrest and skilled workforce in host country on inflow of foreign direct investment – a case of Taiwan, ROC

PurposeIn this paper, the authors examined the changes in labour unrest and labour quality brought by high labour standards over a considerable period in Taiwan. Then, the authors studied the role of these changes in predicting the inflow of foreign direct investment (IFDI) in the country. To test the role, the authors measured the differences in effects of the two changes on wages, working hours and employment opportunities of skilled female and skilled male workers in FDI-intensive and non-intensive industries.Design/methodology/approachUsing a model built on pooled cross-sectional time-series data from 1999 to 2012, the authors measured the effect of changes in labour unrest and the presence of skilled workers on the net inflow of FDI. Using data from the Manpower Utilisation Survey (MUS), the authors applied differences–in–Differences-in--ddifferences- (DDD) and differences–in–Differences-in-ddifferences-in--differences- (DDDD) estimation methods to test the effect of changes in labour unrest and labour quality on three labour market outcomes, namely wages, working hours and job opportunities of skilled workforce.FindingsIncreasing labour unrest affected the employment opportunities of almost every unemployed person seeking skilled jobs in Taiwan. When the authors compared the adverse effect of high labour standards on employment opportunities and working hours, the authors found women looking for skilled jobs in foreign-owned firms to be the worst affected. Besides, foreign firms paid different wages to skilled educated men than what foreign firms' domestic counterparts paid to skilled educated men employed in Taiwanese firms.Practical implicationsAn in-depth analysis of changes in labour unrest and presence of skilled workers because of high labour standards and the extent to which such changes helped the nation to attract FDI should be useful to policymakers interested in understanding the impact of legislative measures and policy reforms on labour market outcomes across industry types, which matter to foreign investors. If changes in labour unrest and labour quality influenced the inflow of FDI more to firms in one set of industries than the others, the same should have a bearing on revamping of future enactment and enforcement in Taiwan.Originality/valueCurrent study findings would not only provide broad lessons to policymakers in Taiwan but findings of the authors' country case study should be able to guide growing economies that are equally careful whilst raising the labour standards as most fear that high labour standards can deter inflow of FDI because of increasing labour cost.

The Problem of Interaction Between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia During Inspections on Fires

The object of the study is the mechanism of interaction between the investigative units of the internal affairs bodies and the investigation units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia at the initial stage of conducting a procedural check on the fact of a fire, identifying shortcomings in the organization of this interaction and finding ways to solve the identified problems. Crimes related to fires are under the jurisdiction of both the investigative units of the internal affairs bodies and the bodies of inquiry of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia. However, in the vast majority of cases, when a fire is reported, it is not known whether a criminal act has taken place, and, if so, what is its qualification, based on which the body authorized to carry out a preliminary investigation. In practice, this leads to excessive bureaucratization of the process of procedural verification, unjustified repeated transfers of verification material from body to body, inconsistency of the initial verification measures and partial duplication of the work carried out. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that the attention of the authors is not focused on the issues of the methodology of fire investigation, but on the organizational aspects of this process that affect the efficiency of solving crimes of this category and preventing the occurrence of such a problem as the loss of criminally significant information, the result of which is extremely low efficiency of the process of disclosure and investigation of crimes with increased labor costs. Based on the results of the work carried out, significant problematic issues related to the conduct of initial investigative actions on the fact of a fire have been identified, and solutions have been proposed to improve the effectiveness of solving crimes related to fires

Life Cycle Thinking for the environmental and financial assessment of rice management systems in the Senegal River Valley

Rice is a staple food in Senegal, which however imports more than 70% of the rice consumed annually to meet its domestic demand. Despite governmental efforts to increase rice self-sufficiency, both rice supply and yields remain low. Senegalese farmers face challenges related to irrigation infrastructure and fertiliser access, besides those derived from climate change. This study applies Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) combined with financial Life Cycle Costing (LCC) to evaluate alternative scenarios for rice management in the Senegal River Valley and identify sustainability hotspots and potential improvements. Specifically, rice cultivation in Ross Béthio (Saint Louis, Senegal) is assessed based on the observed agricultural practices during the dry seasons of 2016 and 2017. Two scenarios capturing conventional (CONV) and intensive (INT) practices are compared to two reference scenarios (SAED scenarios) according to the recommendations of the official agricultural advisory service. The INT scenario generates the lowest impacts per kg of paddy rice in seven out of thirteen impact categories, including climate change, freshwater and marine eutrophication, ozone depletion and water scarcity. This is due to the higher yields (7.4 t ha−1) relative to CONV (4.8 t ha−1) and the two reference SAED scenarios (6.0 t ha−1). The two latter scenarios show the lowest values in the remaining categories, although they also generate slightly lower profits than INT (138 € t−1 vs. 149 € t−1) due to increased labour costs for additional fertilisation treatments. The results from both LCA and LCC underline the importance of increasing yields to decrease environmental impacts and production costs of rice when estimated per kg of product. Well-designed fertiliser application doses and timing and increased mechanisation can deliver further environmental benefits. Additional improvements (e.g. in irrigation, crop rotations, straw management) could be considered to promote the long-term sustainability and profitability of rice production in Senegal. LCA in combination with financial LCC is identified as a decision-support tool for evaluating the sustainability of alternative crop management practices. Life Cycle Thinking can still benefit from experiential learning based on information exchange between farmers, researchers and extension agents to contribute to a sustainable agriculture and ultimately to food security in Africa.

Development and Evaluation of Mechanized Fish Paste Maker

The Philippines, being surrounded by water has an abundant source of fish; making fish processing one of the established industries in the country. Fish paste-making provides an opportunity to make the unsold fish useful and saleable. Traditionally, the method of fish paste making is manually processed as it involves the use of bare hands; hygiene, sanitation, and increasing labor cost hinder the profitability of the business. This study employed developmental research to produce a machine that can provide a solution to the fish paste industry. Since bare hands are mostly used during mixing, squeezing, and straining of salt and fish; the mechanized fish paste maker combines the mixing and straining process in one compartment to prevent the manual handling of raw materials. The developed machine was evaluated to determine the operation's performance based on functionality, durability, efficiency, and safety. The grand mean of 4.57 defined that the product met the intended purpose, had durable design and materials, was efficient and consistent in providing ease of operation and safe to use. The time and motion study further proved that the use of the machine lessens the production process by almost half of the normal duration and can guarantee an increase in the number of bottles produced. More importantly, the cost-benefit analysis showed that the machine is capable to increase the production benefits as it lessens the manual cost and other production costs.

TENSILE FABRIC STRUCTURES. WORLD CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE AND PROSPECTS

The article is devoted to tensile fabric architecture. On the examples of the historical world experience in the construction of structures with tensile fabric coverings, the advantages and ways of further propagation of tensile fabric architecture are considered.
 The successful development of architecture in the context of scientific and technological progress is inextricably linked with the use of advanced achievements in various fields of science and technology and, above all, with the use of progressive structural systems and new effective building materials.
 Among modern building structures, the most rational for medium-span structures and the only possible for large-span structures are spatial coating systems. They allow, without a significant increase in labor costs for the manufacture and consumption of materials, in comparison with flat structures, to free the space to be overlapped from intermediate supports. This ensures the versatility of the use of the building, its more intensive operation, slows down its obsolescence, creates the necessary conditions for its adaptation to new functional and technological processes.
 Tensile fabric structures for roofing stand out from the spatial structures. They are economical, less material-intensive, have rich volumetric plastic capabilities and artistic and decorative qualities. Tensile fabric structures are building structures in which the main load-bearing elements mainly flexible (nets, cables, ropes, curved threads from rigid elements, etc.). These elements works exclusively in tension, which makes possible to use fully the load-bearing properties of high-strength materials (mainly steels). Due to the low weight of such structures, it is possible to cover a large space.
 Tensile fabric structures are widely used in construction. They influence the formation of the architecture of large-span structures, they are used in buildings with complex volumetric-spatial solutions, and their plastic qualities enrich the artistic palette of the architect.
 Tensile fabric coverings are successfully used in construction. The combination of steel tension members and modern synthetic materials makes it possible to create unique and effective solutions for both public buildings and industrial or agricultural structures.

Development of a Three-Dimensional Plant Localization Technique for Automatic Differentiation of Soybean from Intra-Row Weeds

Soybean is a legume that is grown worldwide for its edible bean. Intra-row weeds greatly hinder the normal growth of soybeans. The continuous emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds and the increasing labor costs of weed control are affecting the profitability of growers. The existing cultivation technology cannot control the weeds in the crop row which are highly competitive with the soybean in early growth stages. There is an urgent need to develop an automated weeding technology for intra-row weed control. The prerequisite for performing weeding operations is to accurately determine the plant location in the field. The purpose of this study is to develop a plant localization technique based on systemic crop signalling to automatically detect the appearance of soybean. Rhodamine B (Rh-B) is a signalling compound with a unique fluorescent appearance. Different concentrations of Rh-B were applied to soybean based on seed treatment for various durations prior to planting. The potential impact of Rh-B on seedling growth in the outdoor environment was evaluated. Both 60 and 120 ppm of Rh-B were safe for soybean plants. Higher doses of Rh-B resulted in greater absorption. A three-dimensional plant localization algorithm was developed by analyzing the fluorescence images of multiple views of plants. The soybean location was successfully determined with the accuracy of 97%. The Rh-B in soybean plants successfully created a machine-sensible signal that can be used to enhance weed/crop differentiation, which is helpful for performing automatic weeding tasks in weeders.