Accounting for the quality of work life

This study describes the development and issuance of an independent report on the quality of work life in a Corporation. The theory underlying the report, criteria, definitions, measurement procedures, the properties of the measures, and report itself are presented. A survey indicating a favourable reception to the data by stockholders, financial analysts, and employees is analysed. Recommendations for increased collaboration between accountants and behavioural scientists in the measurement and assessment of the quality of work life are presented in an effort to stimulate further research in the development of standardized measures and in the preparation of independent reports on the quality of work life in organizations.     

Optimal stabilization of the copper market: The problem of information

This paper investigates the scope for stabilizing commodity prices by buffer stock interventions. Optimal control is used, rather than simulation, to evaluate the scope for intervention at best. Applications to a world copper market model show that substantial but extensive gains to stabilization are possible. These gains cannot be realised by traditional bandwidth decision rules. An important difficulty is setting the level at which prices should be stabilized. The lack of this information severely reduces the achievable gains.     

Spectral analysis of forest model time series

The use of spectral analysis to elucidate the cyclic behavior in time series generated by a forest stand growth simulation model is discussed. A stand-level simulator, FORET, for an Appalachian deciduous forest is described. An estimate of the power spectral density of the total biomass time series is calculated. The power spectral density estimate indicates a dominant cyclic behavior with a period of about 200 years. In addition the spectral density is approximately bandlimited. This characteristic makes possible the application of the sampling theorem for analysis of sampling rates.     

Radium contamination of the banks of the river Laak as a consequence of the phosphate industry in Belgium

For over half a century, phosphate ores of marine origin, containing 226Ra, have been processed in Belgium to produce calcium phosphate for use in cattle food. As a result, the waste water containing 226Ra were discharged into two little rivers, one of which is the Laak. The purpose of this study was to chart the radium contamination of the river banks and some areas that are regularly flooded by the river. It was seen that enhanced concentrations of 226Ra do occur along the river banks, but that the contaminated area is mostly confined to a 10 m strip on both sides of the river, even in the flooding zones. At present, no dwellings are present on top of the contamination and no crops for direct human consumption are grown there, so there is no immediate threat to the population.     

Whole body vibration exposure in heavy earth moving machinery operators of metalliferrous mines

As mining operations get mechanized, the rate of profit generation increases and so do the rate of occupational hazards. This study deals with one such hazard - occupational vibration. The present study was carried out to determine the whole body vibration (WBV) exposure of the heavy earth moving machinery (HEMM) operators in two types of metalliferous mines in India, when they were engaged in the mining activity. Cross-comparison was done of the vibration dose value (VDV) for HEMM operators as well as each type of mine. The VDV for the shovel operator in bauxite mine was observed to be 13.53 +/- 5.63 m/s(7/4) with 25% of the readings higher than the prescribed limit whereas in iron ore mine VDV for dumper operator was 10.81 +/- 3.44 m/s(7/4) with 14.62% readings on the higher side. Cross-comparison of the VDV values for bauxite and iron ore mines revealed that it was 9.57 +/- 4.93 and 8.21 +/- 5.12 m/s(7/4) with 21.28 and 14.95% of the readings on the higher side respectively. The Student's t test level was found to be insignificant for both type of mines, indicating that the WBV exposure is not dependent on the type of mine but is dependent on the working condition and type of HEMM in operation.     

Soil and soil water studies at the HUMEX site

Changes to natural organic compounds by acid deposition and subsequent effects on Al mobilization are not well understood. The HUMEX catchment-scale acidification experiment in western Norway offers a unique possibility for an integrated assessment of these interactions. In this report, the soil and soil water chemical data from the HUMEX site, from before and after the onset of experimental acidification, are used to characterize the catchment. Changes in soil water chemistry are discussed and controls on dissolved organic carbon are addressed in relation to Al mobilization. Decreases in the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and organic Al fractions were found in soil water after the treatment started. These changes were related to an increase in soil water sulphate concentrations. The sulphate levels showed a significant increase (on a 95% level) in four of ten soil horizons while nitrate remained nearly unchanged. In organic soils, where the dissolved organic carbon content was high, the major control for monomeric aluminum concentration appeared to be the amount of exchangeable aluminum in the soil. In mineral soils, the gibbsite dissolution may govern inorganic Al concentrations in soil water, though substantial undersaturation was found when DOC was high.     

阶梯形鱼道中的滚动流研究

最近,小型倾斜河流中的阶梯形鱼道建筑以它的简易与实用而变得日益重要。在这种鱼道中出现的滚动流将产生波涌,并继续向下传播,而且它的周期性滚动可能会严重危害鱼道,因此,我们着手研究了它的严重性以便设计者在设计鱼道时能考虑这些因素。由实验证实滚动流源于阶梯形鱼道的上游。滚动流在稳定流与半平滑流间转变,它在一定时间间隔内不断地从稳定流变成半平滑流,又从半平滑流变成稳定流。它的流量值随着阶梯形水道的几何形状变形而呈现上下限。流量值和时间间隔均随着水池长度的增加而增加。