This book introduces the reliability modelling and optimization of warm standby systems. Warm standby is an attractive redundancy technique, as it consumes less energy than hot standby and switches into the active state faster than cold standby. Since a warm standby component experiences different failure rates in the standby state and active state, the reliability evaluation is challenging and the existing works are only restricted to very special cases. By adapting the decision diagrams, this book proposes the methodology to evaluate the reliability of different types of warm standby systems and studies the reliability optimization. Compared with existing works, the proposed methods allow the system to have an arbitrary number of components and allow the failure time distribution of components to observe arbitrary distributions. From this book, the readers can not only learn how to evaluate and optimize the reliability of warm standby systems but also use the methods to study the reliability of other complex systems.

This book introduces the reliability modelling and optimization of warm standby systems. Warm standby is an attractive redundancy technique, as it consumes less energy than hot standby and switches into the active state faster than cold standby. Since a warm standby component experiences different failure rates in the standby state and active state, the reliability evaluation is challenging and the existing works are only restricted to very special cases. By adapting the decision diagrams, this book proposes the methodology to evaluate the reliability of different types of warm standby systems and studies the reliability optimization. Compared with existing works, the proposed methods allow the system to have an arbitrary number of components and allow the failure time distribution of components to observe arbitrary distributions. From this book, the readers can not only learn how to evaluate and optimize the reliability of warm standby systems but also use the methods to study the reliability of other complex systems.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on phosphorus uptake and use in crops. The first chapter summarises the progress in research on root traits associated with phosphorus acquisition, including root morphology, architecture, biochemistry, colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and fine root endophytes. The chapter also reviews the recent advances in breeding programmes to improve phosphorus acquisition efficiency. The second chapter discusses interactions between phosphorus management (phosphorus rate, source timing, and placement) and diverse cropping systems and climate and how these interactions are essential to efficient utilization of phosphorus resources. The third chapter assesses the key soil, root and microbial processes that influence phosphorus acquisition with a focus on factors that can be managed to ensure optimal use of fertiliser and development of root systems for improved phosphorus acquisition. A case study from Australia is used to demonstrate how phosphorus efficiency of grasslands can be improved. The final chapter reviews the environmental effects of phosphorus fertilisation in agriculture, primarily its impact on water quality. The chapter considers how future water quality issues can be mitigated and also examines the cycling, fate and transport of phosphorus in agriculture.