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Chinese scientists: Model involving native macrophytes, fishes, benthons, and birds effective for lake wetlands restoration

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BEIJING, June 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China.org.cn on innovative lake wetlands restoration.

Scientists from the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), published information related to an innovative lake wetlands restoration model involving native macrophytes, fishes, benthons, and birds that gives full play to the role of native creatures in ecological restoration and its implementation in the Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (BCAS, in Chinese), a think tank journal focused on strategic and decision-making research that is supervised and sponsored by the CAS, in 2023. The information below comes from their report.

One of the three most productive ecosystems in the world, wetlands play an important role in maintaining the balance of natural ecosystems due to their water conservation, water purification, flood and drought prevention, climate regulation, and biodiversity maintenance functions. Lake wetlands account for 16.03% of China’s total wetland area, according to its second national wetland resources survey, which was conducted from 2009 to 2013 and compiled early in 2014.

Yunnan Province’s lake wetlands are home to abundant and unique species, and several of them have been listed as internationally important wetlands. The wetlands in Yunnan cover 5,636 sq. km, accounting for 1.05% of China’s wetland area, with lake wetlands comprising 1,185 sq. km of the total, or 21.03% of Yunnan’s wetland area.

The ecological systems associated with the province’s lake wetlands have been experiencing many problems as human activities and resulting climate change have intensified, and economic and social development have led to environmental changes, and a decline in biodiversity, however. Located in Kunming, Yunnan’s capital and largest city, Dianchi – the largest inland lake on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau – has experienced a sharp decline in biodiversity, for example. The number of indigenous fish species present in the lake decreased from 26 in the 1960s to just 11 in 2001, while aquatic plant coverage declined from 90% in the 1960s to 12.6% in the 1980s and has stood at only around 1.4% since 2000, and the number of aquatic plant species detected fell from 44 in 1957 to 30 in 1977 and just 22 in 1997.

The Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment has developed a Roman numeral-based surface water grading system with six categories, with grade I representing the highest quality and water that falls in the grade-I to grade-III range being considered to be of at least “fairly good quality.” Grade I refers to water that comes directly from natural sources; grade II refers to water that is suited to centralized drinking projects and can sustain aquatic life; grade III is also suited to centralized drinking projects, can sustain some aquatic life, and can be swam in; grade IV is suited to industrial use and recreation but should not make direct contact with people; grade V is only suited to irrigation and landscaping purposes; and water that does not fall into any of these categories is not suitable for any use.

Dianchi Lake’s water quality deteriorated from the grade-I level in the 1950s to the grade-III to grade-IV range in the 1970s and was even worse than grade V in the 1990s. Eventually water management measures were implemented and the situation began to improve, which resulted in its water quality rising to the grade-V level in 2016 and the grade-IV level in 2019, where it has remained. The lake’s surface area has gradually decreased as well, falling from 510 sq. km as of the early Yuan Dynasty (1271 to 1368) to 410 sq. km by the end of it and then to 323 sq. km in 1938. Reclamation efforts began being implemented at this point, which brought the surface area to 361.8 sq. km by 1978, though it began to shrink again after the 1980s and stands at 309 sq. km at present.

The “algae-fishes-birds/humans” and “macrophytes-fishes-birds/humans” paths are two of the main ways that eutrophic elements, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, are removed from wetlands. A decline in biodiversity damages them and thus causes eutrophication. Reconstructing and restoring lake wetlands’ ecological food chains in order to rebuild the paths is thus an urgent aspect of ecological restoration.

In the past, Yunnan mainly employed three models that were designed to reduce endogenous pollution by introducing alien species. The first entailed using silver and bighead carps to control algae, which is effective in controlling algae blooms in water that is worse than the grade-V level. The second entailed planting reeds and willows in order to improve lakeside zones’ landscapes. The third entailed introducing water hyacinths, which play a positive role in reducing nitrogen and phosphorus but create a dark and anaerobic environment in the area that they cover, making it impossible for fish, shrimp, shellfish, and aquatic plants to survive.

The Kunming Institute of Zoology research team that wrote the report created the macrophytes-fishes-benthons-birds restoration model as a means of reducing phosphorus and nitrogen after studying the theory of the paths by which they are ushered out of wetlands. The model connects native flagship aquatic plants, fish, and benthic animals in order to reconstruct broken ecological chains and create a path by which phosphorus and nitrogen can be removed from the water. It has been implemented at Dianchi Lake and Yunnan’s second largest lake – an alpine lake in Dali City known as Erhai Lake – and good results have been achieved.

The researchers suggest dividing plateau lake wetlands into three categories and conducting targeted ecological restoration and management measures in accordance with local conditions in order to promote the model.

Implementing the macrophytes-fishes-benthons-birds restoration model is recommended for lake wetlands with good ecological environments where native species are well-preserved and water quality is in the grade-I to grade-III range, such as the Erhai Lake, Fuxian Lake, which is the third largest lake in Yunnan, and Lugu Lake, which is the highest lake in Yunnan, in order to engender the two main paths by which phosphorus and nitrogen are removed.

Introducing silver and bighead carps in lakes where some native creatures have disappeared and the water quality is in the grade-IV to worse-than-grade-V range, such as Dianchi, a plateau lake that connects to karst caves known as Qilu, a plateau lake that connects to Fuxian Lake by river known as Xingyun, a mesotrophic plateau lake located in western Yunnan known as Chenghai, and a lake that is known for its colorful lotus flowers and other scenery known as Yilong, is suggested so that they can consume algae present in them. The “macrophytes-fishes-benthons-birds” restoration model can be used in a supplementary manner in this case.

Reducing and removing heavy metals is the top priority for lake wetlands that have this problem, such as the Yangzonghai Lake area, which features underwater springs and is one of Yunnan’s scenic regions. The best way of doing so is by increasing the population of benthic shellfish, such as the Chinese pond mussel (Anodonta woodiana), Chinese round snails, and river clams, since shellfish adsorb heavy metals and deposit them in their shells as they grow. Lakeside zones should also be restored and native fish species that consume filamentous algae should be released as appropriate.

Chinese scientists: Model involving native macrophytes, fishes, benthons, and birds effective for lake wetlands restoration
http://en.chinagate.cn/2024-06/05/content_117235850.htm 

 

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SOURCE China.org.cn

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BLUETTI Unveils Elite 200 Portable Power Station Promising Over 17 Years of Dependable Charging

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LAS VEGAS, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — BLUETTI, a leader in portable power stations and eco-friendly energy solutions, launches the Elite 200 V2, a 2KWh all-powerful portable power station designed for easy and convenient home backup power and outdoor activities.

Building on the remarkable success of the AC200P — praised by CNET as the “Best Overall Power Station”— the Elite 200 V2 is BLUETTI’s refined upgrade, created in response to valuable customer feedback after selling over 200,000 units of the AC200P. As the world’s first portable power station to use LiFePO4 battery technology, the AC200P set new standards in the industry. Its successor, the Elite 200 V2, redefines portable power station with enhanced battery longevity, a sleek and ultra-compact design, and a beautifully clean exterior, perfectly combining performance with elegance in energy solutions.

17 Years Use with Automotive-Grade Battery

BLUETTI was one of the first brands to adopt LiFePO4 batteries while others used NCM batteries with only 500 life cycles. Now, it raises the bar with ultra-long-lasting automotive-grade LFP batteries. The Bluetti Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station boasts a 6,000+ cycle lifespan, so you can rely on it for 17 years of daily use — 12 times the typical industry standard. It’s also the first in the industry to pass over 33 rigorous battery tests by CNAS, ensuring high standards of performance and stability. This level of durability means you’ll have decades of reliable power and a more sustainable lifestyle.

Backup Power for Homes, RVs, and Beyond

With hurricanes and winter storms on the rise, along with increasingly lengthy power outages, reliable backup power is essential for peace of mind. The Elite 200 V2 portable power station delivers a powerful 2,600W output, capable of running household essentials like refrigerators, lights, routers, and microwaves with ease. Say goodbye to worries about spoiled groceries or a dark home — its high-capacity 2,073.6Wh battery keeps a 100W refrigerator running for up to 16.8 hours.

For road-trippers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts, the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station is an essential power source, charging everything from space heaters and coffee makers to phones and camera batteries. When powering high-powered devices, simply activate the Power Lifting mode to access up to 3,900W — sufficient for running hot plates, hair dryers, and other high-demand appliances. Whether you’re camping off the grid or embarking on a cross-country road trip, the Elite 200 V2 provides reliable portable power to keep your essentials running, making it the perfect outdoor power solution for any adventure.

Compact, Space-Saving Design for Versatile Use

Space is a premium in RVs, tiny home offices, and campers, and the Elite 200 V2 fits right in. It’s the size of a 1kWh unit, yet packs a 2kWh punch in a 13.7*9.8*12.6 inches body — 40% smaller than its predecessor. BLUETTI achieves this by integrating wireless internal structure design and advanced LFP prismatic cells, which enable zero-gap battery stacking for ultimate space efficiency. Unlike the commonly used cylindrical cells, the prismatic cells hold more energy and are less likely to have defects.

3 Fast Charging Options

Gone are the days of waiting all night to recharge your power station. With BLUETTI’s Turbo technology, you can top off the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station to 80% in just 50 minutes with a dual AC and solar setup. And for you road warriors, the optional 560W high-speed car charger means you can recharge in just 4.2 hours while driving between stops. When you’re deep into the woods, it’s also convenient to charge from the sun at a maximum of 1,000W. Thanks to built-in solar tracking technology, it automatically activates to capture solar energy whenever there is light.

Tech-Powered Safety for Everyday Use

Using the Elite 200 V2 is as easy and safe as using your smartphone. The Elite 200 V2 is backed by multiple safety technologies for worry-free use. The proprietary BLUETOPUS AI-BMS smart battery management system regulates charging, prevents overheating, and keeps everything safe and stable. With multi-chip protection, you can confidently plug in high-starting power devices like car fridges through the car outlet or connect high-voltage solar panels without risking damage to the unit. Plus, it’s fire-resistant, shock-proof, and adaptive to your challenging adventures.

Super Quiet and Efficient Power

Say goodbye to noisy generators that can disturb your sleep or work. Supported by BLUETTI’s noise-canceling cooling technology, the Elite 200 V2 operates as low as 16dB — so quiet, it’s like the gentle rustle of leaves. This means you can run it in a tent, cabin, or even a home office. Plus, it draws minimal self-power of under 10W per hour when idle, giving you maximum efficiency with the least waste. Even if you accidentally leave it on overnight with AC/DC active, it retains 94% of its charge, significantly outperforming competitors that typically remain only 81%.

Price and Availability

From November 12 to December 2, the Elite 200 V2 is available at a debut price of just USD $1,099 on both the Bluetti Official Site and Amazon. Enjoy an additional 5% off with the code ELITE200V2PR at checkout.

About BLUETTI

As a technology pioneer in clean energy, BLUETTI is committed to a sustainable future by providing affordable green energy storage solutions for both indoor and outdoor use. Through initiatives like the LAAF (Lighting An African Family) program, BLUETTI is dedicated to bringing power to 1 million African families in off-grid areas. With a strong focus on innovation and customer needs, BLUETTI has established itself as a trusted industry leader in over 110 countries and regions.

Media Contact: Ellen Lee, ellenlee@bluetti.com

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Millennium Hotels and Resorts Partners with Aiello to Revolutionize Hospitality with AI Voice Technology

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Enhancing Guest Experience and Operational Efficiency with Cutting-Edge AI Solutions

TAIPEI, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Aiello, a leading startup specializing in Natural Language Processing (NLP), is proud to announce its partnership with Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR). This collaboration aims to redefine standards in the hospitality industry by deploying the AI-powered Aiello Voice Assistant (AVA) across six MHR’s properties in Singapore and Thailand, including Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, Orchard Hotel Singapore, M Social Hotel Singapore, Studio M Hotel Singapore, M Hotel Singapore City Centre and M Social Hotel Phuket in Thailand.

Leveraging Aiello’s innovative AI technology, this strategic initiative aims not only to enhance the guest experience through personalized, voice-activated services but also to establish new benchmarks for operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

“Millennium Hotels and Resorts distinguishes itself by leveraging cutting-edge technology and is committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences with a Blue Ocean Strategy mindset,” shared Saurabh Prakash, Interim Chief Operating Officer & Chief Commercial Officer at Millennium Hotels and Resorts. “By embracing Aiello’s AI technology, we’re   adopting a data-driven approach that allows us to better understand guest preferences, enabling us to deliver personalized services while unlocking new revenue opportunities.”

Aiello CEO and Co-founder Vic Shen remarked, “Through this collaboration, we have demonstrated how our AI solutions can transform hotel management. By creating a bespoke AI database for MHR, alongside a property and corporate dashboard that visualizes AVA and TMS user behavior data, we empower hoteliers to monitor and understand guest interactions anytime and anywhere. With the addition of a multi-hotel view, MHR gains a comprehensive understanding across properties, enabling data-driven strategies and truly personalized service. Together with MHR, we’re leading the digital transformation of the hospitality industry, creating more intelligent and intuitive hotel environments.”

MHR also unveiled an unboxing video of AVA, demonstrating the AI assistant’s innovative features alongside an interview video detailing the collaboration with Aiello:

Aiello X Millennium Hotels and Resorts | Hotel of Tomorrow

 

Pioneering AI Integration to Enhance Property Value and Drive Sustainable Growth

Ke-Vin Lim, Head of Group Innovation at City Developments Limited (CDL), emphasized that Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) is the first hotel group in Singapore to implement the AVA in guest rooms. “This initiative reflects our commitment to integrating advanced technology, significantly enhancing property value and positioning us as more competitive and attractive for the future,” he said.

Lim also noted that the adoption of AI aligns perfectly with MHR’s sustainability vision. “By replacing outdated in-room amenities and printed materials, we’re making a long-term, sustainable investment,” Lim commented. MHR’s six properties in Singapore have already achieved Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification. Shen also emphasized, “For instance, by replacing the cabling in over 2,300 rooms with AVA, we would reduce 6,240 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to what would require 284 trees to absorb,” further underscoring MHR’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Driving Operational Efficiency and Workforce Competitiveness with AI and Digital Transformation

According to an Oracle study, 67% of hotels are facing staffing shortages, with 12% indicating that this impacts their operational effectiveness. “Addressing these operational challenges has been a key motivation for integrating technology into MHR’s systems,” said Andy Tan, Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Partnerships at MHR. “Integrating AVA with our task management system, housekeeping staff can receive real-time updates on room statuses and guest requests, reducing manual tasks and streamlining workflows.” he added. While system integration posed initial challenges, the expertise of Aiello’s team ensured a smooth transition with minimal disruption to existing IT infrastructure.

M Social Hotel Phuket Revolutionizes Guest Services with Aiello Voice Assistant

As the first hotel in MHR group to implement AVA, M Social Hotel Phuket has achieved significant success in transforming guest services. “Our goal was not only to enhance operational efficiency but also to deliver a seamless, enjoyable experience for our guests,” said Pjey Mayandi, General Manager of M Social Hotel Phuket. Serving as the hotel’s central hub, AVA integrates cloud-based phone systems, task management, in-room dining, and smart room controls, significantly streamlining operations. Since replacing traditional in-room phones, M Social Hotel Phuket has seen a significant reduction in call volumes, further showcasing the system’s effectiveness.

Aiello remains dedicated to expanding its comprehensive SaaS platform, Aiello-One, to more hospitality providers across Southeast Asia, Japan, and beyond, empowering hoteliers to unlock the full potential of smart technology and deliver unparalleled guest experiences. With robust backing from partner in Singapore, Go Nimbus, Aiello is well-positioned to scale and implement these innovative solutions across the region. 

About Aiello

Aiello is a leading provider of Voice AI in the hospitality industry. Its flagship product, Aiello Voice Assistant, is a multi-award-winning talk & touch voice AI technology solution aimed at streamlining hotel operations, enhancing the guest experience, and generating insights about customer behavior. The state-of-the-art Aiello Voice Assistant is designed to elevate the guest experience with its unique AI-powered features and capabilities. Since 2019, Aiello Voice Assistant has been deployed in over 180 hotels, encompassing 20,000 rooms, and has answered over 14 million inquiries from 2.5 million end users in Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and English.

Learn more at Aiello’s official website: https://aiello.ai/

About Millennium Hotels and Resorts

Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) is a dynamic, global hospitality group with properties spanning four continents and 80 destinations. With a reputation for excellence, MHR owns, manages, and operates over 140 properties worldwide including in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Auckland, Beijing, and Singapore. Its diverse portfolio spans brands including The Biltmore, Grand Millennium, Millennium, M Social, Studio M, M Hotel, Copthorne, and Kingsgate—offering the perfect address for business and leisure travellers who are looking for hospitality experiences that go above and beyond. MHR is a Hong Leong Group subsidiary of Singapore-listed global real estate company City Developments Limited. For more information, visit www.millenniumhotels.com.

For further information, please contact:

Patty Chen

Director of Marketing, Aiello

Email: patty.chen@aiello.ai

Patricia Wang
PR/Event Marketing Manager, Aiello
Email: patricia.wang@aiello.ai

Sandra Chiu

Senior Manager, Branding, Marketing & Loyalty

Email: Sandra.chiu@millenniumhotels.com

 

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SOURCE Aiello

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Diligent Launches AI-Powered Due Diligence Reports for Enhanced Supplier and Third-Party Risk Management

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Diligent AI-powered reports build on history of industry experience to solve major compliance pain points

SINGAPORE, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Diligent, a leading GRC SaaS company, today announced the launch of its AI-powered due diligence reports, offering organizations easy access to comprehensive third-party assessments. Designed to meet growing regulatory demands and the complexities of modern supply chains, the reports enable more efficient decision-making for chief compliance officers, general counsel, and other risk professionals balancing resource constraints and increased compliance burdens.

“As supply chains become more complex and face heightened regulatory scrutiny, businesses are increasingly exposed to reputational and compliance risks,” said Amanda Carty, GM, Compliance at Diligent. “For years, Diligent has set the standard as a leading comprehensive screening tool. Now with AI-powered due diligence reports, customers benefit from an even more efficient, scalable, and risk-based approach to managing third-party risk — while still having access to in-depth, analyst-led investigations when required. This enables faster decision-making, better compliance outcomes, and more robust risk management practices.”

Diligent’s AI-powered reports consolidate key risk data from global sanctions watchlists, politically exposed persons (PEPs) databases, and adverse media sources, providing a holistic view of third-party risk. Diligent’s due diligence services include specialized assessments tailored to specific areas of risk, such as environmental, social and governance (ESG) and human rights. For deeper insights, Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) and Open Source Investigations (OSI) assess risk and verify details through comprehensive research, ensuring robust compliance and oversight throughout the supply chain.

Key features of Diligent’s AI-powered due diligence reports include:

One-Click Reports: AI-driven reports provide an intuitive overview of third-party risk in just one click.Comprehensive Risk Coverage: Consolidates data from sanctions lists, PEPs, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and negative media sources to ensure thorough third-party risk evaluations.Flexibility for Varying Risk Levels: Automatically assesses low-risk entities with the option to escalate high risk cases for in-depth investigation.Seamless Integration: Fully integrates with Diligent’s Third-Party Risk Management platform for streamlined workflows.Efficiency Gains: Reduces manual intervention, enabling compliance teams to focus on high-value tasks while accelerating compliance decisions.

By integrating AI assessments with Diligent’s Third Party Risk Management solution, which includes risk modeling, automated workflows and advanced reporting, organizations benefit from a seamless, end-to-end solution for managing compliance challenges across their supply chain. This enables faster decision-making, better compliance outcomes, and more robust risk management practices.

To learn more about how Diligent’s AI-powered due diligence reports, visit: https://www.diligent.com/products/due-diligence

About Diligent
Diligent is the leading GRC SaaS company, empowering more than 1 million users and 700,000 board members and leaders to make better decisions, faster. The Diligent One Platform helps organizations connect their entire GRC practice — including governance, risk, compliance, audit and ESG — to bring clarity to complex risk, stay ahead of regulatory changes and deliver impactful insights, in one consolidated view. Learn more at diligent.com.

Follow Diligent on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

 

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