Why did the pilots shut down the wrong engine? Explaining errors in context using Schema Theory and the Perceptual Cycle Model

Although human error remains a dominant issue in aviation research, methods that predict human error have been criticised for not providing adequate causal explanations, rather they have focused on classification. The concept of Schemata has prevailed in the literature and has been shown to describe the contextual causes of human error. The purpose of this paper is to review the recent error literature and demonstrate that Schema Theory (as incorporated in the Perceptual Cycle framework) offers a compelling causal account of human error. Schema Theory offers a system perspective with a focus on human activity in context to explain why apparently erroneous actions occurred, even though they may have appeared to be appropriate at the time. This is exemplified in a case study of the pilots’ actions preceding the 1989 Kegworth accident. Schema Theory is presented as a promising avenue for further exploration into the context of human error in aviation.     

实现循环经济的探讨

介绍了国内外循环经济的发展状况 ,提出了我国循环经济的实施途径。     

An Eco-balance of a Recycling Plant for Spent Lead–Acid Batteries

This study applies Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to present an eco-balance of a recycling plant that treats spent lead–acid batteries. The recycling plant uses pyrometallurgical treatment to obtain lead from spent batteries. The application of LCA methodology (ISO 14040 series) enabled us to assess the potential environmental impacts arising from the recycling plants operations. Thus, net emissions of greenhouse gases as well as other major environmental consequences were examined and hot spots inside the recycling plant were identified. A sensitivity analysis was also performed on certain variables to evaluate their effect on the LCA study. The LCA of a recycling plant for spent lead–acid batteries presented shows that this methodology allows all of the major environmental consequences associated with lead recycling using the pyrometallurgical process to be examined. The study highlights areas in which environmental improvements are easily achievable by a business, providing a basis for suggestions to minimize the environmental impact of its production phases, improving process and company performance in environmental terms.     

突发水污染预警应急响应研究与实践的方法学辨析

2005年底松花江硝基苯污染发生至今,我国开展河流突发污染预警应急的研究实践已有10年,有必要对相关应急技术的发展历程及研究实践方法学进行系统梳理.因此,本文运用系统论的原理与方法,对河流突发污染应急预警响应过程中的基础科学问题进行数学抽象与深入剖析.首先梳理归纳了处警后预警应急响应的基本流程,即以"应急溯源"和"风险预警"为主线辅以"应急监测".然后,通过文献计量学分析了预警和溯源的技术成熟度过程及发展趋势.同时,对"污染追踪/溯源"正反问题进行系统论刻画并深入辨析其不确定性与不适定性特征.最后,用相似理论分析和定义了关键研究问题的时空特征尺度.结果表明,本文提出的相关框架、论断和准则可为应急预警响应研究实践提供统一的科学范畴、通用的研究范式与方法论参考.     

The unrecognized danger of a new transportation mechanism of injury--pedicabs

Objective

Pedicabs are a new and controversial transportation innovation for tourists in congested areas in several U.S. cities. Scant literature on this trauma mechanism exists. The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence, demographics, morbidity, mortality, and potential for injury prevention of pedicab incidents amongst major trauma admissions at an urban, academic Level I Trauma Center.

Patients & Methods

Researchers conducted a retrospective review of the Trauma Registry from 2000 to 2009. All patients identified as being injured in a pedicab incident were reviewed. Demographics, diagnoses, toxicology, treatments, and injury severity scale (ISS) were collected. Outcomes included mortality, ICU, and hospital length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and hospital charges. A photographic survey of 50 local pedicabs was examined for the presence and use of safety equipment.

Results

During the period of January 2000 to July 2009 there were 15 major trauma victims from identified pedicab incidents. Falling from the pedicab was the mechanism of injury in 14 of 15 cases. There were two fatalities in victims following severe traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury, skull fracture, or loss of consciousness was seen in 11/15 victims. Ethanol ingestion was detected in blood tests of 10 of the 14 adult victims. Median charges of hospitalization due to a pedicab related injury was US$29,956 ± 77,482. A photographic survey of 50 local pedicabs reveals very limited use of safety belts by passengers despite existing city ordinances.

Conclusions

Major trauma victims of pedicab incidents in the United States suffer significant injuries and death. Most cases occurred in passengers falling from the pedicab at night after alcohol ingestion. There is an opportunity for implementation of strategies toward improved injury prevention with this new form of transport.     

Life cycle assessment as a decision support tool for landfill gas-to energy projects

The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from MSW landfill, and control methods to eliminate or minimize these impacts including energy recovery from landfill gas (LFG) of MSW landfill in Thailand have been evaluated. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used as the analytical tool to evaluate the environmental consequences of landfilling holistically. The economic implications of the control methods are also briefly assessed. The results show that in terms of GHG emissions as well as in terms of economics, it is more advantageous to have a large centralized landfill and produce electricity from the LFG rather than having several small, localized landfills despite significantly lower transportation requirement for the latter case. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the global warming potential was sensitive to gas collection efficiency as well as methane oxidation rate in the landfill. This study shows the utility of a life cycle approach for evaluating LFG-to-energy (LFGTE) projects.     

优化循环水场设计实现节水

通过对企业水平衡测试的分析，进一步加深了对水进入（输入）和排出（输出）生产单元或系统产生水量主要因素的认识，在此基础上开发多项优化循环水设计的方案，以达到节水、节能和减少污水排放的目的。进而应用到实际工程项目中去，取得了良好的节水效果。     

小康矿煤泥水治理方法的研究

本文针对煤泥水难以自然沉降的问题,研究了煤泥水的性质,提出了新的混凝荆ZL—1与PAM联用的治理方法。该方法简单,处理效果好,处理后上清水完全回用于洗煤,实现了洗水闭路循环。     

沈阳市铁西新区生态工业园规划与研究

结合老工业基地改造,构建新型经济发展模式,变过去传统资源—产品—污染排放的单向流动线性经济为“资源—产品—再生资源”的反馈式经济模式。从而达到节约资源、削减污染、提高经济运行质量和效益的目的,实现整个区域的可持续发展,促进园区生态系统良性循环,建设新型生态工业园区。     

区域循环工业发展评价指标体系的构建及应用

依据循环工业基本原理及Delphi方法,构建了包括资源利用效率、污染减量排放、资源循环利用、经济效益和科技水平在内的区域循环工业发展评价指标体系,并通过运用AHP(层次分析法)模型,测算了指标权重。据此,以南京市为例,评价了1996~2003年间南京市循环工业发展的状况,结果表明,自1996年以来,南京市循环工业发展水平不断提高,但是自2000年以来,在南京市工业经济效益不断增长的同时,资源利用效率、污染减量排放、资源循环利用、科技水平等指标增长缓慢,乃至出现波动性下降的状况,为此文章提出了相关政策建议。