Ensuring the service quality at a university construction technology laboratory in Brazil

Service quality in a construction technology laboratory can result in an improvement in construction companies’ competitiveness. This research aims to evaluate the service quality provided by a construction technology laboratory, specifically in the segment of performing testing through the rupturing of concrete samples. For this research, a survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire that was created based on a literature review regarding the surveying of laboratory customers at a university in the south of Brazil. Our research was both exploratory and quantitative, and the data were analyzed by applying multivariate data analysis. The conclusions of this study show that the dimensions of quality services are: communication, reliability, responsiveness, credibility, and tangibility. These five dimensions together provide a high explained variance standard of 79.75%. Having a suitable number of attendants available to serve customers and presenting agility in the construction laboratory is one of the managerial research contributions. Moreover, through information availability, this research generates greater traceability that can be used both by customers and by institutional management. Constantly and thoroughly monitoring the customer service cycle is another relevant factor that can improve the quality of the services provided.     

基于SERVQUAL模型的乡村旅游服务质量提升研究

SERVQUAL模型为提升乡村旅游服务质量提供了一个基本的分析框架.依据SERVQUAL模型的基本原理,结合乡村旅游的服务内容和特点,对乡村旅游服务质量的构成要素进行了改进,指出应确立合理的旅游者预期,并从基础设施和旅游公共服务体系建设、产品特色与乡村性保持、社区参与、人才培训四个方面提高旅游者对乡村旅游目的地和产品的服务感知.     

Indoor air quality investigation according to age of the school buildings in Korea

Since the majority of schools are housed in buildings dating from the 1960s and 1970s, a comprehensive construction and renovation program of school buildings has been carried out to improve the educational conditions in Korea. However, classrooms and computer rooms, with pressed wood desks, chairs and furnishings, as well as construction materials, might have negative effects on the indoor air quality. Furthermore, most schools have naturally ventilated classrooms. The purpose of this study was to characterize the concentrations of different indoor air pollutants within Korean schools and to compare their indoor levels within schools according to the age of school buildings. Indoor and outdoor air samples of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO(2)), particulate matter (PM(10)), total microbial count (TBC), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and formaldehyde (HCHO) were obtained during summer, autumn and winter from three sites; a classroom, a laboratory and a computer classroom at 55 different schools. The selection of the schools was based on the number of years since the schools had been constructed. The problems causing indoor air pollution at the schools were chemicals emitted by building materials or furnishings, and insufficient ventilation rates. The I/O ratio for HCHO was 6.32 during the autumn, and the indoor HCHO concentrations (mean = 0.16 ppm) in schools constructed within 1 year were significantly higher than the Korean Indoor Air Standard, indicating that schools have indoor sources of HCHO. Therefore, increasing the ventilation rate by means of a mechanical system and the use of low-emission furnishings can play key roles in improving the indoor air quality within schools.     

Planning for cooler cities: a plan quality evaluation for Urban Heat Island consideration

ABSTRACT

City strategic plans and enabling policies provide a framework for and inform future development across multiple scales. An exemplar city strategic plan will be one based on evidence, enabled by complementary policy outcomes, and built on the knowledge of the existing landscape. This study evaluated the plan quality of eighteen metropolitan strategic plans for city members in the 100 Resilient Cities initiative. A protocol was developed containing thirty-two indicators to assess plans capacity to act as a strategic planning tool to develop, analyse and implement strategies for the Urban Heat Island (UHI) and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The evaluation indicated that strategies addressing the UHI are rarely included in metropolitan plans. Strategic plans showed a lack of evidence-base to inform the potential actions. Urban warming is often linked to extreme weather events anticipated under climate change, not the UHI as a systemic and increasing phenomenon. We recommend that the pathway to addressing UHI mitigation and adaptation may lie in its nexus to aspects of climate change that concurrently can serve to support liveable and resilient cities.     

浅议图书馆对继续教育的服务

继续教育是我院教育教学工作的重要组成部分。继续教育生具有"自学为主、限时多学、积极多研、追求速成",但利用图书馆较少的特点。图书馆应结合实际,以提高对继续教育的服务质量为宗旨,从转变思想观念,加强制度建设和馆藏建设,以及如何进行图书宣传等方面为继续教育服务。     

火电厂烟气脱硫工程的调试技术服务

电厂烟气脱硫工程的调试是一门新课题。本文就如何掌握其系统性、规律性及如何建立验评体系进行了探索。     

Agriculture and stream water quality: A biological evaluation of erosion control practices

Agricultural runoff affects many streams in North Carolina. However, there is is little information about either its effect on stream biota or any potential mitigation by erosion control practices. In this study, benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled in three different geographic areas of North Carolina, comparing control watersheds with well-managed and poorly managed watersheds. Agricultural streams were characterized by lower taxa richness (especially for intolerant groups) and low stability. These effects were most evident at the poorly managed sites. Sedimentation was the apparent major problem, but some changes at agricultural sites implied water quality problems. The groups most intolerant of agricultural runoff were Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera. Tolerant species were usually filter-feeders or algal grazers, suggesting a modification of the food web by addition of particulate organic matter and nutrients. This study clearly indicates that agricultural runoff can severely impact stream biota. However, this impact can be greatly mitigated by currently recommended erosion control practices.     

An empirical analysis of green switching intentions in the airline industry

The purpose of this research is to gain an empirical understanding of airline passengers’ green switching intentions. A conceptual research model is used as a framework to examine the relationships among the experiential quality dimensions, green perceived value, green corporate image, green experiential satisfaction, green corporate reputation, green experiential loyalty and green switching intentions for the airline industry. The data used in this paper were based on a sample of 615 passengers who experienced the eco-friendly services of China Airlines, indicating that the proposed model fitted the data. The study's result will assist airline management to develop and implement market-orientated service strategies to increase the experiential quality dimensions, green perceived value, green corporate image, green experiential satisfaction, green corporate reputation and green experiential loyalty in order to decrease passengers’ green switching intentions.     

Development of a water quality loading index based on water quality modeling

Water quality modeling is an ideal tool for simulating physical, chemical, and biological changes in aquatic systems. It has been utilized in a number of GIS-based water quality management and analysis applications. However, there is considerable need for a decision-making process to translate the modeling result into an understandable form and thereby help users to make relevant judgments and decisions. This paper introduces a water quality index termed QUAL2E water quality loading index (QWQLI). This new WQI is based on water quality modeling by QUAL2E, which is a popular steady-state model for the water quality of rivers and streams. An experiment applying the index to the Sapgyo River in Korea was implemented. Unlike other WQIs, the proposed index is specifically used for simulated water quality using QUAL2E to mainly reflect pollutant loading levels. Based on the index, an iterative modeling-judgment process was designed to make decisions to decrease input pollutants from pollutant sources. Furthermore, an indexing and decision analysis can be performed in a GIS framework, which can provide various spatial analyses. This can facilitate the decision-making process under various scenarios considering spatial variability. The result shows that the index can evaluate and classify the simulation results using QUAL2E and that it can effectively identify the elements that should be improved in the decision-making process. In addition, the results imply that further study should be carried out to automate algorithms and subsidiary programs supporting the decision-making process.     

我国土壤环境修复咨询服务业发展研究

2019年是《中华人民共和国土壤污染防治法》实施的第一年,2020年我国迎来了《土壤污染防治行动计划》的大考,“十三五”期间我国土壤环境修复产业市场规模接近6900亿元,下达中央土壤污染防治专项资金259.13亿元,主要用于示范性农田和工业场地修复、全国土壤环境调查以及土壤污染防治先行区建设等,资金整体落实情况较好。土壤环境修复产业是支撑我国土壤污染防治目标指标和各项任务完成的重要支撑和物质保障,产业发展状况和水平直接决定了目标和任务的完成水平。本文基于土壤环境修复政策指南和招投标数据库,从政策、市场、队伍、项目、模式、问题、展望等方面系统分析了2019年我国土壤环境修复咨询服务业发展状况、水平与特点,提出了修复咨询服务业发展中存在的主要问题,对未来发展趋势进行了预测分析,以期为全面了解我国土壤环境修复咨询服务市场、开展土壤环境管理和社会投资提供参考。     

Evaluation of best management practice products in preventing discharge of metals: a laboratory evaluation

Heavy metal accumulation in soil poses serious environmental and health risks, as metals are carried with eroded soils. In this study, 17 different soil erosion and sediment control products were investigated for their effectiveness in controlling transport of particulate heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd). Among the treatments investigated, wood mulch and tackifiers were found to be the most effective in reducing total suspended solids (TSS) and total heavy metal losses. They reduced TSS to an undetectable level during short-term simulation tests. Paper mulch was the only treatment that had no significant reduction in both total metal loss and TSS. Fiber rolls, silt fences, and gravel bags were effective in reducing sediment loss. Although the netting/blanket treatments were not effective in reducing total metal discharge, they significantly reduced sediment loss compared with the control.     

中国环境服务业的SCP范式分析

环境服务业在环保产业中占据重要位置,环境服务业健康有序发展是"十三五"工作的重点之一。应用SCP范式,从市场结构、市场行为和市场绩效等层面分析环境服务业发展现状,总结环境服务业特点及问题,主要包括:企业普遍规模偏小,盈利水平不高,市场集中度较低;产品差异化程度低,技术和产品还具有较大的提升空间;政策、贸易等存在壁垒,产业发展受到一定制约等。最终根据分析结果及存在的问题,从制度、市场、模式、贸易等层面提出环境服务业优化建议。     

Assessment of deep aquifer groundwater quality in a geographically unique climatic region of Southern Western Ghats,India using water quality indices

Water quality index (WQI) models are generally used in hydrochemical studies to simplify complex data into single values to reflect the overall quality. In this study, deep groundwater quality in the Chittur and Palakkad Taluks of the Bharathapuzha river basin of Kerala, India, was assessed by employing the WQI method developed by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). The assessment of overall water quality is indispensable due to the specific characteristics of the study area, such as geography, climate, over-drafting, and prevalent agricultural practices. Forty representative samples were collected from the study area for monsoon (MON) and pre-monsoon (PRM) seasons. The results showed a general increase of contents from MON to PRM. The major cations were spread in the order Ca²⁺>Na+>Mg²⁺>K⁺ and the anions HCO₃⁻>Cl⁻>CO₃²⁻ based on their relative abundance. Among various parameters analysed, alkalinity and bicarbonate levels during MON were comparatively high, which is indicative of carbonate weathering, and 90% of the samples failed to meet the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017)/Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS, 2012) drinking water guidelines. The CCME WQI analysis revealed that nearly 50% of the samples during each season represented good and excellent categories. The samples in the poor category comprised 10% in MON and 15% in PRM. The overall WQI exhibited 15% of poor category samples as well. The spatial depiction of CCME WQI classes helped to expose zones of degraded quality in the centre to eastward parts. The spatial and temporal variations of CCME WQI classes and different physicochemical attributes indicated the influence of common factors attributing to the deep groundwater quality. The study also revealed inland salinity at Kolluparamba and Peruvamba stations, where agricultural activities were rampant with poor surface water irrigation.     

浅谈浙江省环境服务业的发展

环境服务业是浙江省环境保护及相关产业中发展最迅速的行业之一,是服务业中的朝阳产业。文章介绍了浙江省环境服务业的现状,分析了环境服务业发展的制约因素,提出了促进环境服务业发展的措施。     

武汉市湿地破碎化对生态系统服务价值的影响研究

以湖泊资源丰富的武汉市为例,通过景观格局指数测定该市湿地破碎化程度,借助GIS技术评估该市湿地生态系统服务价值,并探讨了城市湿地破碎化对生态系统服务价值的影响。结果表明:①2000—2015年武汉市湿地总体破碎化趋势有所缓和,但人工湿地相较于自然湿地破碎化程度要高,特别是2010—2015年湿地总面积下降了2.80%,而斑块密度上升了4.12%,湖泊破碎化程度较高。②2000—2015年,武汉市湿地ESV增长了323.27亿元,各类型湿地的生态系统服务价值表现为湖泊>水库坑塘>河流>沼泽。③湿地景观破碎化与部分调节性、支持性和文化性服务功能存在着显著相关关系。     

Development and evaluation of the channel routing model and parameters within the National Water Model

The National Water Model (NWM) was deployed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to simulate operational forecasts of hydrologic states across the continental United States. This paper describes the geospatial river network (“hydro-fabric”), physics, and parameters of the NWM, elucidating the challenges of extrapolating parameters a large scale with limited observations. A set of regression-based channel geometry parameters are evaluated for a subset of the 2.7 million NWM reaches, and the riverine compound channel scheme is described. Based on the results from regional streamflow experiments within the broader NWM context, the compound channel reduced the root mean squared error by 2% and improved median Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency by 16% compared with a non-compound formulation. Peak event analysis from 910 peak flow events across 26 basins matched from the US Flash Flood Observation Database revealed that the mean timing error is 3 h lagged behind the observations. The routing time step was also tested, for 5-min (default, operational setting) and 1-h increments. The model was computationally stable and able to convey the flood peaks, although the hydrograph shape and peak timing were altered.     

高职院校国际服务外包课程设计的探索——以中国环境管理干部学院为例

以中国环境管理干部学院为例,国际服务外包课程是在国际服务贸易和服务外包产业迅速发展的背景下设置的。通过对我国服务外包行业发展现状和人才需求特点的分析,对国际服务外包课程设置提出系统性、开放性、职业性、实践性的构想,以及调整专业结构、建立灵活人才培养模式、加强学生实习实训、利用现有资源和政策支持以及做好服务外包人才就业工作的相关措施,以确保高职院校国际服务外包课程设计的科学性与可行性。     

Water quality and restoration in a coastal subdivision stormwater pond

Stormwater ponds are commonly used in residential and commercial areas to control flooding. The accumulation of urban contaminants in stormwater ponds can lead to a number of water quality problems including high nutrient, chemical contaminant, and bacterial levels. This study examined the interaction between land use and coastal pond water quality in a South Carolina residential subdivision pond. Eutrophic levels of chlorophyll and phosphorus were present in all seasons. Harmful cyanobacterial blooms were prevalent during the summer months. Microcystin toxin and fecal coliform bacteria levels were measured that exceeded health and safety standards. Low concentrations of herbicides (atrazine and 2,4-D) were also detected during summer months. Drainage from the stormwater pond may transport contaminants into the adjacent tidal creek and estuary. A survey of residents within the pond's watershed indicated poor pet waste management and frequent use of fertilizers and pesticides as possible contamination sources. Educational and outreach activities were provided to community members to create an awareness of the water quality conditions in the pond. Pond management strategies were then recommended, and selected mitigation actions were implemented. Water quality problems identified in this study have been observed in other coastal stormwater ponds of varying size and salinity, leading this project to serve as a potential model for coastal stormwater pond management.     

论服务理念在环境执法中的确立

在我国，环境执法主要是在强制理念的指导下进行，但是从执法效果来看，缺乏长期性、稳定性，因此，有必要借鉴新兴的环境管理理念和美国环境执法的经验，建立起以服务为理念的环境执法体系。首先应该确定服务对象，其次应当明确服务内容，最后应该建立环境执法中的服务体系，从而通过服务使得环境执法机关与企业、公民获得环保共识，减少环保执法压力，促进社会和谐发展。