Agronomy

Climate change is a serious threat to field crop production and food security. It has negative effects on food, water, and energy security due to change in weather patterns and extreme events such as floods, droughts, and heat waves, all of which reduce crop productivity. Over six chapters, this book presents a comprehensive picture of the importance of agronomy as it relates to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. With an emphasis on the goals of Zero Hunger and Climate Change, this volume examines sustainable agronomic practices to increase crop productivity and improve environmental health

Design of a lightweight, modular robotic vehicle for the sustainable intensification of broadacre agriculture

This thesis presents the design process and the prototyping of a lightweight, modular robotic vehicle for the sustainable intensification of broadacre agriculture. Achieved by the joint operation of multiple autonomous vehicles to improve energy consumption, reduce labour, and increase efficiency in the application of inputs for the management of crops. The Small Robotic Farm Vehicle (SRFV) is a lightweight and energy efficient robotic vehicle with a configurable, modular design. It is capable of undertaking a range of agricultural tasks, including fertilising and weed management through mechanical intervention and precision spraying, whilst being more than an order of magnitude lower in weight than existing broadacre agricultural equipment

Robotics, AI, and Humanity

This open access book examines recent advances in how artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have elicited widespread debate over their benefits and drawbacks for humanity. The emergent technologies have for instance implications within medicine and health care, employment, transport, manufacturing, agriculture, and armed conflict. While there has been considerable attention devoted to robotics/AI applications in each of these domains, a fuller picture of their connections and the possible consequences for our shared humanity seems needed. This volume covers multidisciplinary research, examines current research frontiers in AI/robotics and likely impacts on societal well-being, human – robot relationships, as well as the opportunities and risks for sustainable development and peace. The attendant ethical and religious dimensions of these technologies are addressed and implications for regulatory policies on the use and future development of AI/robotics technologies are elaborated

Herbicides

Weeds severely affect crop quality and yield. Therefore, successful farming relies on their control by coordinated management approaches. Among these, chemical herbicides are of key importance. Their development and commercialization began in the 1940's and they allowed for a qualitative increase in crop yield and quality when it was most needed. This book blends review chapters with scientific studies, creating an overview of some the current trends in the field of herbicides. Included are environmental studies on their toxicity and impact on natural populations, methods to reduce herbicide inputs and therefore overall non-target toxicity, and the use of bioherbicides as natural alternatives

Разработка алгоритма взаимодействия автономных робототехнических устройств для тушения лесных пожаров

В процессе выполнения работы был проведен анализ имеющихся систем группового управления мобильными роботами, была разработана структурная схема, был разработан алгоритм управления агентами. Также было разработано математическое обеспечение системы взаимодействия и разработана система коммуникации и взаимодействия агентов между собой. Алгоритм взаимодействия написан на языке программирования Python с использованием открытых библиотек, написанных на данном языке, таких как Tensorflow, Keras, Numpy и Pandas.In the course of the work, an analysis of the existing systems for group control of mobile robots was carried out, a block diagram was created, and an algorithm for control agents was developed. The mathematical support of the interaction system was also developed, and a system of communication and interaction between agents was developed. The interaction algorithm is written in the Python programming language using open libraries written in this language, such as Tensorflow, Keras, Numpy, and Pandas

The Livingston Tomato Report 2016: The Philosophical Environmentalist?s Guide To Justice In The Global Food System

This research paper sets the groundwork for an explanation of the global food system using complexity science as the theoretical framework to recount the story of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), its origin (Solanum pimpinellifolium), its role in popular culture how the tomato enters and exits the global food system and our digestive systems. By arguing in defense of the right of every person to eat a healthy tomato this study focuses upon the benefits and risks of herbicides, specifically N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine. I approach solutions from an environmental justice standpoint. I focus on the role of access to information as a leverage point. Methodologically, a detailed media survey led to the creation of a database that produced a timeline. Critical analysis of this timeline, actors and institutions allowed for focus on specific touchstones by which to ground my account. A review of the literature including environmental novels frames this timeline starting in the mid-to late 1800’s, through the age of industrialization incorporating the aftermath of Breton-Woods to 1971, Nixon, the Club of Rome, the year of my birth and Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. The next pivotal time is my coming of age working as an agent for CIDA in the rain forest of Guyana, The Rio Summit, and my reading of the Brundtland Commission Report, “Our Common Future” in 1992. This brings us to the present day of 2016 where the world's agriculture, chemical, and pesticide and pharmaceutical companies can be counted on one hand plus a finger. 2050 is a touchstone for a future that is just around the corner in historical scale. Influential authors and thinkers include Swift, Malthus, Thoreau, Geisel, Georgescu-Roegen, Carson, Meadows, Holling, Daly, Brundtland, and Atwood taking us into possible futures. This paper’s interest in neo-liberalism is rooted in deep-satire. This paper is completed with the philosophy of Plato allowing for further exploration of theories of Justice and Human Rights as they relate to everyone’s access to fresh healthy food

Bladder Cancer

This book is an invaluable source of knowledge on bladder cancer biology, epidemiology, biomarkers, prognostic factors, and clinical presentation and diagnosis. It is also rich with plenty of up-to-date information, in a well-organized and easy to use format, focusing on the treatment of bladder cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and vaccine therapy. These chapters, written by the experts in their fields, include many interesting, demonstrative and colorful pictures, figures, illustrations and tables. Due to its practicality, this book is recommended reading to anyone interested in bladder cancer