Corruption in natural resource management: Implications for policy makers

Corruption is the main reason why resource-rich countries perform badly in economic terms. Corruption in resource-rich countries takes two main forms, rent-seeking and patronage. Resource rents induce rent-seeking as individuals compete for a share of the rents rather than use their time and skills more productively. And resource revenues induce patronage as governments pay off supporters to stay in power, resulting in reduced accountability and an inferior allocation of public funds. This paper systematically reviews the literature on natural resources and corruption, and outlines the main policy implications for donors and domestic policy makers. A main conclusion is that priority should be given to policies that address rent-seeking and patronage. In other words, policy in resource-rich countries should be less about macro-economic management and more about institutions to prevent rent-seeking and patronage, and about giving the right incentives to players in the resource sector. Moreover, all policies need to take into account their impact on rent-seeking and patronage, and some current policies may actually be harmful in this respect.     

Assessing the long-term supply risks for mineral raw materials—a combined evaluation of past and future trends

This paper develops a method for identifying and assessing long-term supply risks for mineral raw materials. The method is based on a combined evaluation of past and future supply and demand trends. By analysing raw material boom and bust cycles over the past 50 years, we have quantified indicators and defined benchmarks for identifying critical market situations. By applying the method, risks for supply shortage may be identified at an early stage. In addition, a numerical evaluation model has been developed for better comparison between various mineral raw materials. Compared to other assessment methods this method uses specific benchmarks for each raw material to better assess supply risks. The method is embedded within a systematic and comprehensive analytical approach.     

油页岩发电项目2×210MW机组除尘器选型

广东粤电油页岩发电项目2×210MW机组CFB锅炉燃用茂名本地油页岩,除尘设备在可研和初步设计时均选用双室5电场高效静电除尘器,在烟气脱硫工程招标文件审查时发现脱硫装置入口烟尘浓度偏高,不能满足烟气脱硫装置要求,故重新对除尘器进行了调研、分析、选型。     

Committing driving violations: An observational study comparing city, town and village

Introduction

This article compares observed driving behavior in a city, a town, and a village.

Method

Unobtrusive observations were made at intersections in each residential type. Five violation types were observed: (a) not wearing a seat belt (seat belt violation); (b) not using a safety seat for a child (safety seat violation for children); (c) not using a speaker while speaking on the phone (on-phone violation); (d) failing to comply with a ‘give way’ sign (‘give way’ sign violation); and (e) stopping in an undesignated area (undesignated stop violation). It was expected that in accordance with the anonymity hypothesis that the bigger residential areas' rate of traffic violations would be higher. The effects of the residential type, drivers' gender, and age were assessed using the multiple regression model. The stepwise method of evaluation was employed. The model converged on step 3 (Adjusted R square = 0.039). Residential type and gender contributed significantly to the model. Results: Consistent with prior research, male drivers committed more violations than female drivers. Chi-square analyses were used to test the distribution of violations by the settlement types. Overall, more drivers committed violations in the two small residential areas than in the city, with 30% of city drivers, 43% of town drivers, and 51% of village drivers committing at least one violation (χ2 (2) = 37.65, p < 0.001). Moreover, in the town and the village, a combination of one or more violations was committed more often than in the city (χ2 (1) = 34.645, p < 0.001). Accordingly, more drivers committed violations in the two small settlements (48.4%) than in the city (30.6%). Possible explanations for the observed results were provided in the Discussion section.

Impact on Industry

The conclusions of this paper are that drivers in small villages tend to disobey traffic laws. Therefore, efforts have to be made in companies to take this issue in consideration while running fleets in companies located in small places far from the center.     

废钢铁切割加工烟尘的治理

介绍了氧-乙炔火焰切割加工废钢铁产生的烟尘治理系统的设计和系统设备选型,重点介绍了烟尘捕集罩的设计和除尘器、电磁脉冲阀、风机的选型和PLC自动控制以及系统实际运行效果,为废钢铁加工企业治理污染提供一套简单、经济、实用的除尘系统作参考.     

低温试验能力验证中的不确定度分析评估

本文简述电气领域如何评定测量不确定度过程,并结合CNAS T0346低温试验能力验证计划,识别和具体分析低温试验中各测量不确定度的来源,对各种影响因素进行评价,论述人、机、料、法、环、测各环节对测量结果的影响,给出了低温试验测量结果不确定度的评估过程。     

影响马尾松毛虫虫灾发生类型因素的重要性分析

运用列联表分析方法探讨了小班的林地起源、优势树种、地理、生长等因素对小班的马尾松毛虫虫灾发生类型的影响。分析结果表明：小班的海拔高度和坡度是决定小班的马尾松虫灾发生类型的关键因素。小班的优势种结构、平均树高及郁闭度对小班的马尾松毛虫虫灾发生类型也有较大的影响。图12表1参2     

山西省湿地的基本特征及保护

论述了山西省湿地的基本环境特征 ,指出了存在的问题 ,并提出了山西省湿地生态系统保护利用的科学对策     

化学药品原料药制造业自行监测技术指南设计研究

通过分析化学药品原料药制造业的基本情况、产品种类和生产工艺,以及自行监测技术指南编制的目的和基本要求,梳理出确定监测点位和对应多项污染物排放标准为目前该行业自行监测技术指南编制工作的难点。根据以上分析,提出将指南按工艺类型拆分、监测点位和废气监测指标的确定、监测频次的优化、生产记录内容的设定列为指南编制工作的重点。     

Safe speed limits for a safe system: The relationship between speed limit and fatal crash rate for different crash types

Objective: The objective of this article is to provide empirical evidence for safe speed limits that will meet the objectives of the Safe System by examining the relationship between speed limit and injury severity for different crash types, using police-reported crash data.

Method: Police-reported crashes from 2 Australian jurisdictions were used to calculate a fatal crash rate by speed limit and crash type. Example safe speed limits were defined using threshold risk levels.

Results: A positive exponential relationship between speed limit and fatality rate was found. For an example fatality rate threshold of 1 in 100 crashes it was found that safe speed limits are 40 km/h for pedestrian crashes; 50 km/h for head-on crashes; 60 km/h for hit fixed object crashes; 80 km/h for right angle, right turn, and left road/rollover crashes; and 110 km/h or more for rear-end crashes.

Conclusions: The positive exponential relationship between speed limit and fatal crash rate is consistent with prior research into speed and crash risk. The results indicate that speed zones of 100 km/h or more only meet the objectives of the Safe System, with regard to fatal crashes, where all crash types except rear-end crashes are exceedingly rare, such as on a high standard restricted access highway with a safe roadside design.