Pluralism,The Ethical Matrix,and Coming to Conclusions

The ethical matrix approach was developed by Prof Ben Mepham and his colleagues at the University of Nottingham in the early 1990s. Since then the approach has received increasing attention and has been used by several researchers in different projects related to assessing ethical impacts of different food production technologies and other policy options of societal concern. The ethical matrix is sometimes understood simply as a checklist of ethical concerns, but might also be seen as a guide to coming to conclusions on moral questions. The problem I discuss in this paper relates to how using the ethical matrix method as a decision guide can be combined with respecting pluralism. The aim of the paper is to suggest a framework making it possible to – at the same time – enhance public justification of judgments and respect pluralism. I argue that pluralism is fundamental to the ethical matrix approach; I distinguish between intuitionist principled pluralism and societal value pluralism; and I show how both kinds of pluralism imply restrictions on how conclusions can be made. No substantive moral decision principles can be allowed. Still, I argue, decision principles of a more epistemological or procedural character can be acceptable even within pluralism. The pragmatist principle of inquiry is defended as an account of moral problem solving compatible with both principled pluralism and value pluralism. When an ethical matrix is used within such a participatory inquiry process substantive conclusions can be drawn.     

多因素耦合条件下硫化矿自燃神经网络动态预测模型研究

硫化矿石自燃是多种因素、多场耦合综合作用的结果,是一典型的非线性问题。笔者应用人工神经网络技术,以Matlab软件为平台,通过现场调查和理论分析,建立了矿石含硫量、通风强度、环境温度3因素与硫化矿石自燃之间的预测模型;通过数据样本学习与部分现场监测数据相结合进行模拟,研究表明预测数据与实测结果基本吻合,误差控制在10%以内,取得了较好的效果。该研究为预防硫化矿石自燃提供一个新的思路和方法,具有一定的理论意义和应用价值。     

Long‐Term Dynamics of a Fragmented Rainforest Mammal Assemblage

Abstract: Habitat fragmentation is a severe threat to tropical biotas, but its long‐term effects are poorly understood. We evaluated longer‐term changes in the abundance of larger (>1 kg) mammals in fragmented and intact rainforest and in riparian “corridors” in tropical Queensland, with data from 190 spotlighting surveys conducted in 1986–1987 and 2006–2007. In 1986–1987 when most fragments were already 20–50 years old, mammal assemblages differed markedly between fragmented and intact forest. Most vulnerable were lemuroid ringtail possums (Hemibelideus lemuroides), followed by Lumholtz's tree‐kangaroos (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) and Herbert River ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus herbertensis). Further changes were evident 20 years later. Mammal species richness fell significantly in fragments, and the abundances of 4 species, coppery brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula johnstoni), green ringtail possums (Pseudochirops archeri), red‐legged pademelons (Thylogale stigmatica), and tree‐kangaroos, declined significantly. The most surprising finding was that the lemuroid ringtail, a strict rainforest specialist, apparently recolonized one fragment, despite a 99.98% decrease in abundance in fragments and corridors. A combination of factors, including long‐term fragmentation effects, shifts in the surrounding matrix vegetation, and recurring cyclone disturbances, appear to underlie these dynamic changes in mammal assemblages.     

A thermal hazard risk evaluation of emulsion polymerisation and vinyl acetate monomers in the latex manufacturing process

Latex is extensively used in industrial products. However, completing some processes at scale leads to unacceptable levels of risk that need to be quantified and mitigated. Systemic risks must be eliminated wherever possible, and safety takes priority over efficiency and quality. To assess the process risks accurately, four raw materials were examined in this study: polyvinyl acetate (PVA), latex process-initiator-ammonium persulfate (APS) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM). The physicochemical composition of the PVA latex process was determined via calorimeters, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2). The calorimetry results showed that the protective colloid was a critical component in the polymerisation reaction. In addition, when adding initiators to the system, it is vital to observe the normal ratio of materials and keep the stirring system operating. The scenario system also simulated the effects of shutting down various inhibitory programs, including the build-up of free radicals that could result in a runaway reaction when the initiator was added in excess. On the other hand, the result of the risk matrix displayed as a medium level, indicating that although the probability of an accident is low, the resulting severity is at disaster level. As a result, this study provides process safety engineers with a reliable frame of reference for assessing the potential dangers in the PVA latex manufacturing process.     

Developing the interaction matrix technique as a tool assessing the impact of traffic on air quality

This paper develops a technique which can be used as a preliminary tool for assessing air quality related to urban traffic. It combines a Geographic Information System (GIS) with an interaction matrix-type methodology based on a system analysis approach. The matrix identifies and quantifies interactions between all selected variables involved in a system as well as their interaction with the system as a whole. This matrix is used to determine the weightings to apply to spatial datasets within a GIS to develop a pollution vulnerability map. The focus of the paper is to introduce and assess a more versatile coding of the interaction matrix with respect to previously used coding. A case study is presented in which the modified interaction methodology is applied to data for a busy urban location. The resulting vulnerability map, in terms of pollution vulnerable hot spots, was compared to a pollution map derived from an advanced dispersion model. The interaction matrix technique with GIS can be used as a tool complementary to sophisticated numerical modelling and has potential as an analytical tool to evaluate multidisciplinary systems.     

Evidence on the causes of the rising levels of CODMn along the middle route of the South-to-North Diversion Project in China: The role of algal dissolved organic matter

As the biggest inter-basin water transfer scheme in the world,the South-to-North Water Diversion Project（SNWD） was designed to alleviate the water crisis in North China.The main channel of the middle route of the SNWD is of great concern in terms of the drinking water quality.In this study,we tested the hypothesis that the dissolved organic matter（DOM） derived from the planktonic algae causes the rising levels of COD_Mn along the middle route by monitoring data on water quality（2015-20...     

Organic farmers in islands: Agricultural management and attitude towards the environment

SUMMARY

This study explores differences among organic farmers who live in islands and have isolated small-size operations. The relationships between farmers' characteristics and attitudes and farm management were interpreted by studying how they manage their land, their attitudes towards the environment and alternative farming systems, and their involvement in organic farming. The research was carried out using questionnaires addressed to organic farmers on the island of Thassos. Nonlinear canonical correlation was applied for data analysis. This information could contribute to adjustment of policy decisions for on-farm diversification. Agricultural policy makers should approach organic farmers in northern Thassos (productive irrigated olive orchards with gentle slopes) by enacting standards to reduce the cost of alternative plant protection methods and promoting their products in order to maintain and expand organic farming. They should also approach organic farmers in southern Thassos (less productive, dry cultivated olive orchards with steep slopes, overgrazed and often abandoned) by providing them with the necessary information and appropriate agricultural know-how to effectively manage their farms. Organic farmers with stable off-farm income are more aware of environmental values and consider that they risk less than others in order to gain the benefits of alternative farming systems. However, they should attend training programmes to achieve economic success to allow them to continue farming organically.     

基于PMF模型的土壤重金属源解析中变量敏感性研究

为探究应用受体模型对土壤污染物进行源解析,输入变量对模型运行及其结果的影响,以乐安河中上游地区土壤重金属调查数据作为典型受体模型（PMF模型）的输入数据集,并在PMF模型基础方案运行结果的基础上,采用局部敏感性分析法来探讨输入变量变化对模型诊断及源识别结果的影响.结果表明：6因子数情景是研究区土壤重金属源解析PMF模型最佳运行结果;土壤中Cu、Mo、Na₂O、As、Mn和Cd等参数属于敏感变量,这些变量均为每个因子中的主要载荷元素,即每个源的特征污染物;不同变量的敏感性有较大差异,Cu、Mo的总敏感性最大,分别为12.1,8.2,大于其他输入变量的敏感性.因此,在应用PMF模型进行源解析时,特征污染物是敏感性较强的变量,其数据质量的优劣是影响源解析结果可靠性的重要因素.     

颗粒冲蚀对注射法制备C/C-ZrC-SiC复合材料 抗烧蚀性能的影响研究

目的采用ZrC和SiC复相陶瓷对C/C复合材料进行改性,研究改性后的复合材料受到颗粒冲蚀破坏的烧蚀行为。方法采用注射法将ZrC和SiC复相陶瓷前驱体引入到等温化学气相渗透法(ICVI)制备的低密度C/C复合材料中,再通过高温热处理、ICVI的方法制备出ZrC和SiC复相陶瓷改性的C/C(C/C-ZrC-SiC)复合材料,随后对制备的复合材料进行高速颗粒冲击实验破坏,并对破坏后的试样进行氧乙炔火焰烧蚀,研究其烧蚀行为。结果改性后的复合材料线冲蚀率和质量冲蚀率分别为253.1μm/s和79.8 mg/s,相较于同孔隙率的C/C复合材料分别降低了49.2%和61%。颗粒冲蚀破坏后C/C-ZrC-SiC复合材料的线烧蚀率和质量烧蚀率分别为4.26μm/s和1.44 mg/s,相比于同孔隙率的C/C复合材料,分别降低了37%和39%。结论由于引入的ZrC和SiC陶瓷相的硬度大于碳基体,C/C-ZrC-SiC复合材料在受到高速颗粒的冲击时,能通过硬质陶瓷相起到抗冲击作用,使得改性后的复合材料抗冲蚀性能大幅度提高。受到颗粒冲蚀破坏后的C/C-ZrC-SiC复合材料内部仍存在超高温陶瓷相,烧蚀过程中能够形成ZrO2骨架结构和SiO2球形颗粒,进而有效保护碳纤维和热解碳基体。