Developing shared qualitative models for complex systems

Understanding complex systems is essential to ensure their conservation and effective management. Models commonly support understanding of complex ecological systems and, by extension, their conservation. Modeling, however, is largely a social process constrained by individuals’ mental models (i.e., a small-scale internal model of how a part of the world works based on knowledge, experience, values, beliefs, and assumptions) and system complexity. To account for both system complexity and the diversity of knowledge of complex systems, we devised a novel way to develop a shared qualitative complex system model. We disaggregated a system (carbonate coral reefs) into smaller subsystem modules that each represented a functioning unit, about which an individual is likely to have more comprehensive knowledge. This modular approach allowed us to elicit an individual mental model of a defined subsystem for which the individuals had a higher level of confidence in their knowledge of the relationships between variables. The challenge then was to bring these subsystem models together to form a complete, shared model of the entire system, which we attempted through 4 phases: develop the system framework and subsystem modules; develop the individual mental model elicitation methods; elicit the mental models; and identify and isolate differences for exploration and identify similarities to cocreate a shared qualitative model. The shared qualitative model provides opportunities to develop a quantitative model to understand and predict complex system change.     

Bibliometric analysis of ecosystem monitoring-related research in Africa: implications for ecological stewardship and scientific collaboration

Regional ecosystem monitoring is a central form of knowledge sharing and collaboration amongst scientists and decision makers on environmental health, land use change, and science-policy development. Despite the proliferation of such research networks on long-term monitoring on many continents, little has been achieved in Africa. This study aims to assess and examine the spatiotemporal trend and categorical patterns in ecosystem monitoring-related research in Africa for the benefits of conserving biodiversity and sustaining natural resource sectors for well-being and livelihood security, environmental planning, and ecological stewardship. A systematic review was conducted using bibliometric tools. Based on a set of search terms and peer-reviewed publications retrieved from various ecosystem monitoring networks and journal databases, further analysis was conducted using social network approaches, mapping tools, and content analysis. About 1442 scientific publications on ecosystem monitoring and related research were documented from 1987 to 2014 mostly published in English. The number of publication increased progressively since 1992 after the Convention on Biodiversity was signed and this trend peaked till 2008. South African Journal of Science was the most leading journal and Nature the most cited. Internationally coauthored and collaborative articles represented majority of the findings with the United Kingdom at the central position in the research network due to colonial relationships. Regional collaboration amongst countries is limited owing to language barriers and other institutional constraints such as funding and short-term projects. These findings have implication for prioritizing national and regional policies toward biodiversity science and its contribution to human well-being, food security, and global change responses.     

基于热风险理论对道化学评价中物质系数的研究

随着本质安全研究的深入,道化学评价方法中物质系数MF的计算已不能准确描述反应物本身的热风险大小。在道化学评价方法中引入热风险概念,比较热危险性评价方法和道化学评价方法间相异点;以六甲基磷酰三胺工艺为研究对象,用DSC量热仪对反应物进行分析得出放热速率q、反应波峰峰值、单位质量的反应焓Hr,对采集的工艺参数用热力学理论外推法、基因贡献法得出活化能E、比热容CP并以此求出最大反应失效时间TMRad、绝热温升Qad、物质系数MF值以及工艺单元中物料量。得出最大反应失效时间与物质系数MF间具有相关性,道化学评价方法对因失效反应引发二次反应的热风险评估也适用。     

塔机安全监控与评估系统开发及应用

目前中国由于建设项目繁多,在役塔机数量急剧上升,若不加强监管和提升控制手段,安全事故隐患会随着塔机数量的增加剧增。本文对塔机安全事故发生的主要原因进行了分析,介绍了塔机安全监控和评估系统的技术现状,对一种新研发的塔机安全监控与评估系统做了简要阐述。同时通过对试点工程的应用,指出了本塔机安全监控和评估系统的优势,为塔机的安全作业监控提供了一个新的技术方法和手段。     

浅议电动葫芦定期检验周期的调整

文章根据某大型企业电动葫芦的使用现状,从设备运行、安全操作、使用成本、安全检测及相关法律法规等角度分析,论证了延长电动葫芦检验周期的可行性和必要性,提出了节约检验机构检测资源、降低企业安全监管成本,提高企业安全管理绩效的新观点。     

区域水资源可持续利用评价指标体系构建

基于区域水资源可持续利用评价指标体系（Indicators System for Sustainability AssessmentofWater Resources Use, ISSAWRU）构建的一般方法与步骤,论文围绕初始、优化和评价检验三个过程构建ISSAWRU;针对ISSAWRU构建中的指标信息重复和干扰问题,提出相关分析与粗糙集Horafa 属性约简算法相结合的方法实现指标体系的优化,并采用灰色系统理论与粗糙集耦合的评价方法对优化结果进行评价检验。以福建省为例,9 个设区市为研究单元,依据可持续发展理论,从水资源条件、开发利用状况、生态环境和社会经济四个方面,构建由30 项指标组成的初始ISSAWRU,通过筛选得到由12 项指标构成的优化ISSAWRU,进而对这两套指标体系进行评价。结果分析表明：相关分析与粗糙集Horafa 属性约简算法相结合的指标信息优化方案是可靠的;筛除重复和干扰指标信息,简化了繁杂的指标体系,降低了后续评价的计算复杂度,并且信息筛选后的优化ISSAWRU比初始ISSAWRU评价结果更合理。     

An extension of Multiple Greek Letter method for common cause failures modelling

Common cause failure describes a condition where several components share the same source of failure that causes them to fail or become unavailable simultaneously. The objective of this paper is to present an improved approach to common cause failure modelling within reliability analyses. The currently used methods allow one component to share common characteristics with only one group of components, which may be affected by the same source of failure. Therefore, an improved method was developed, where components can be assigned to several groups of components that are susceptible to faulty operation with respect to their similar characteristics. A mathematical derivation of the method is presented and the theory is applied to smaller theoretical samples and to a simplified real example. The results show that the new method enables a more detailed reliability analysis. The results prove that consideration of common cause failures using the improved method may decrease the system reliability compared to traditional common cause failure consideration. The system reliability decreases more, if the redundant components have more similarities and are therefore assigned to several common cause failure groups.     

Safety,reliability and worker satisfaction during organizational change

The research presented in this paper was carried out in four process industry plants in the Netherlands, to identify factors that have the potential to increase safety and reliability while maintaining or improving job satisfaction. The data used were gathered as part of broader trajectories in these firms, aiming at the simultaneous improvement of productivity and safety, while maintaining or improving worker satisfaction. The results show that participative leadership is crucial for combining an increase in safety and reliability with job satisfaction. Participative leadership has a positive effect on job satisfaction and through proper maintenance also on the prevention and absence of disturbances and on the reliability of the production process. The results of this research show the importance of participative leadership for safety, reliability and worker satisfaction, especially during organizational change. Other important factors are operator competences, teamwork, proper handling of variance and disturbances, and proper maintenance. It also confirms that apart from technological factors associated with proper maintenance, people and team related factors are important for increasing safety and reliability in the process industry, especially for being prepared for disturbances and to be able to cope adequately with them.     

Continuous performance assessment and improvement of integrated HSE and maintenance systems by multivariate analysis in gas transmission units

In this study, an integrated “Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)” and maintenance systems are presented. Multivariate analysis is used for continuous performance assessment and improvement of these systems. The two subjects of “Maintenance System” and “HSE” have been individually investigated several times in different studies. However, few studies have been done to integrate these two systems and provide an integrated system for their implementation. This study evaluates current maintenance and HSE systems of a Gas Transmission Unit by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Moreover, decision making units (DMUs) are examined and ranked. Employees are considered as DMUs. This is done through investigating and measuring their efficiencies and identifying the inefficient and less-efficient units. Since an increase in the number of inputs does not lead to an increase in the number of outputs with the same scale, an output-oriented DEA with a Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) is used. The Fuzzy DEA (FDEA) is also used in this research to decrease uncertainty existing in qualitative indicators and human error. Finally, suggestions are given to improve those DMUs. The managers and employees of the gas transmission unit constitute the statistical population of the study. To achieve the objectives of this study, standard questionnaires with respect to HSE and Maintenance system are completed by operators. The proposed approach would help policy makers and top managers of Gas Transmission Company to have a more comprehensive and thorough understanding the working conditions with respect to the maintenance and HSE features.     

Uncertainties in a risk management context in early phases of offshore petroleum field development

The current risk management approach for the Norwegian offshore petroleum industry came into effect in 2001 and has been stable with minor changes for 15 years. Relatively few new installations were slated for development until quite recently, and several new projects have been started in the last few years. The paper considers the risk management approach in the pre-FEED phase and builds on two case studies selected from the most recent cases. These case studies have been evaluated with respect to how uncertainties are considered in the early phase, based on the submission of the Plan for Development and Operation, their evaluations by authorities and the supporting documents. Both case studies involve new concepts for which there is no experience from similar environments and/or water depths. In spite of what could have been expected, the case studies conclude that uncertainties have not been in focus at all during concept development. This appears to be definitely the case for the licensees, but also to be the case for the authorities. Some suggestions are presented for what could have been considered by the licensees and authorities.