Evaluation of the use of psychometric scales in human–wildlife interaction research to determine attitudes and tolerance toward wildlife

Studies evaluating human–wildlife interactions (HWIs) in a conservation context often include psychometric scales to measure attitudes and tolerance toward wildlife. However, data quality is at risk when such scales are used without appropriate validation or reliability testing, potentially leading to erroneous interpretation or application of findings. We used 2 online databases (ProQuest Psych Info and Web of Science) to identify published HWI studies that included attitude and tolerance. We analyzed these studies to determine the methods used to measure attitudes or tolerance toward predators and other wildlife; determine the proportion of these methods applying psychometric scales; and evaluate the rigor with which the scales were used by examining whether the psychometric properties of validity and reliability were reported. From 2007 to 2017, 114 published studies were identified. Ninety-four (82%) used questionnaires and many of these (53 [56%]) utilized a psychometric scale. Most scales (39 [74%]) had at least 1 test of reliability reported, but reliance on a single test was notable, contrary to recommended practice. Fewer studies (35 [66%]) reported a test of validity, but this was primarily restricted to structural validity rather than more comprehensive testing. Encouragingly, HWI investigators increasingly utilized the necessary psychometric tools for designing and analyzing questionnaire data, but failure to assess the validity or reliability of psychometric scales used in over one-third of published HWI attitude research warrants attention. We advocate incorporation of more robust application of psychometric scales to advance understanding of stakeholder attitudes as they relate to HWI.     

静止环境中可燃固体表面火蔓延特性的实验研究

本文通过模拟实验方法研究静止环境下可燃固体材料表面的火蔓延特性,应用火焰结构显示技术连续观察和记录了固体可燃物表面火蔓延的火行为,并利用温度示踪技术连续考察和分析了固体可燃物表面的火蔓延过程,同时研究分析了燃烧试样类型对火蔓延速率的影响,所得结查物理上合理。     

Cultural Ergonomics in Ghana,West Africa: A Descriptive Survey of Industry and Trade Workers’ Interpretations of Safety Symbols

Globalization and technology transfer have led to the diffusion of risk communications to users from cultures that were not initially viewed as the target users. This study examined industry and trade workers’ overall impressions of symbols used to convey varying degrees of hazardousness. Six symbols, including symbols from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z535 Standard (ANSI, 1998) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 3864:1984 Standard (ISO, 1984) were selected. With the exception of the SKULL symbol, results showed wide discrepancies between users’ perceptions of the symbols and their intended meanings. Implications for cross-cultural research on warning components and risk communications are discussed.     

The Effectiveness of a “Break Experiment” from a Long-Term Perspective

The study reports the results of a follow-up evaluation, conducted in 1994, of the impact of a training program for female unskilled metal workers that was implemented at the end of the 1970s. The program was designed to promote occupational skills development, and was first evaluated in 1979. On both occasions of evaluation the investment in training was examined from two perspectives, those of the training participants and management. Data were collected through semistructured personal interviews with key members of personnel management and through a group conversation session with a majority of the original course attendees. Supplementary background information was obtained from documents and records maintained by the organization. At some points, there was a convergence of views on the significance of the training program for occupational skills development, at others a divergence. These convergences and divergences are finally discussed and the findings of the study are related to other research on this particular kind of intervention.     

Linking Local Sustainability Initiatives with Environmental Justice

Beyond adopting sustainability as a feel-good slogan, many communities are trying to translate this general principle into specific and measurable terms. Community indicators are being introduced as a tool for analysis and community development in US cities from Seattle, WA to Jacksonville, FL. Most efforts acknowledge that sustainability ought to serve communities as a whole; rather than privilege certain elites, sustainability should build social equity. Using a web-based methodology, this research reviews sustainability efforts in 33 of the largest US cities to see which have addressed environmental justice as a dimension of sustainability. Five projects are identified and their programmes are summarised in terms of educational, policy and implementation content. KEE WARNER, Enlazando Iniciativas de Sostenibilidad Local con Justicia Ambiental . Más allá de adoptar la sostenibilidad como un lema para estar bien, muchas comunidades estan tratando de trasladar este principio general en términos específicos y medibles. Indicadores comunitarios esta´n siendo introducidos como una herramienta para el análisis y el desarrollo comunitario en ciudades americanas como Seattle, Washington a Jacksonville, Florida. La mayoría de los esfuerzos reconocen que la sostenibilidad tiene que servir a las comunidades como un todo; más que privilegiar ciertas élites, la sostenibilidad debe construir equidad social. Usando una metodolgía basada en la red, esta investigación estudia los esfuerzos para promover la sostenibilidad en treinta y tres de las mas grandes ciudades de los Estados Unidos para ver cual a dirijido justicia ambiental como una dimensión de sostenibilidad. Cinco proyectos son indentificados y sus programas son resumidos en términos de contenido educacional, político y de implementacio´n.     

燃煤电VPM2.5及汞控制技术探讨

火电厂烟气中PM2.5控制技术,目前可分为电除尘和袋式除尘两大类。其中电除尘又分常规电除尘、移动电极电除尘、前置聚并器电除尘、湿式电除尘、低温电除尘等;袋式除尘又分为纯袋式除尘、电一袋复合式除尘、先进的混合式电一袋除尘等。文章对这些技术从捕集机理到应用效果进行了分析探讨,推荐了火电厂应用最合适的控制技术。     

海洋环境耐蚀结构钢研究进展

以海洋装备主体材料钢铁作为研究对象,概述了结构钢在海洋环境下的腐蚀与防护研究进展。叙述了结构钢在海洋环境不同区域的各种因素影响下的腐蚀行为和机理。阐述了耐蚀结构钢材料的研究现状和国内外海洋环境用典型耐蚀低合金钢,目前主要通过微合金化技术和组织调控技术提高合金钢材料的耐蚀性。对比国外相关研究,我国耐蚀结构钢开发相对滞后,除了利用微合金化技术、组织调控技术这2种方法提高结构钢材料的耐蚀性外,采用传统腐蚀研究方法结合基于机器学习技术的新型腐蚀研究方法,挖掘海洋环境因素、材料成分和组织结构因素对结构钢腐蚀速率的影响规律,对加强结构钢腐蚀机理研究、加快新型耐蚀结构钢的开发、延长海洋装备的服役寿命具有重要意义。     

国家自然科学基金“土地科学和自然资源管理”申请代码领域研究格局、热点透视与发展展望

支持基础研究是国家自然科学基金的职责使命。自然资源管理是地理科学交叉融合创新的重要领域。划分国家自然科学基金土地科学和自然资源管理申请代码领域的研究方向,分析该领域申报与资助格局,透视研究热点,提出发展展望。研究发现：2021年以来土地科学和自然资源管理领域的申报格局以交叉且偏向人文要素研究为主,交叉类研究占55%以上,人文要素为主类研究占30%,自然要素为主类研究占15%;以土地资源为对象研究占73%,以生态资源为对象占14%,以其他自然资源为对象的研究占13%。资助格局中土地资源类项目占主导,在75%以上,其他自然资源资助比例不高且资助率不稳定,在土地资源中,农用地、建设用地与土地系统是主要资助领域。为推动自然资源管理领域的健康持续发展,要创新该领域研究范式,增强基础研究属性,树立交叉融合研究典范,坚持申请代码初衷内涵。     

新时代国土空间功能的科学认知与研究框架

中国正面临着城乡土地结构失衡、国土空间开发失序、地域主体功能失调等诸多问题,这给新时代国土空间开发、保护与治理带来巨大压力和挑战。国土空间功能作为架构国土空间规划理论体系与实践框架的重要内容,也是考察人与自然和谐共生的重要刻度。基于当前重大战略决策的理论与现实诉求,指出地域功能是衍生国土空间功能概念的逻辑起点,人地关系地域系统理论是构建国土空间功能理论体系的内核,而空间整合是国土空间功能理论体系演进的重要向度;从战略决策、主体功能、底线管控、用途管制、分区管治、空间协同等六个方面构建了国土空间功能理论认知模型（雪花模型）,辨析了新时代国土空间功能研究的科学价值;对新时代国土空间功能研究的学理认知、分类识别、演化机制、动态权衡等基本问题域进行讨论,初步构建了国土空间功能的研究框架。     

The case for embedding researchers in conservation agencies

Although protected areas represent a pivotal response to escalating anthropogenic threats, they face many pressures, inside and outside their boundaries. Amid these challenges, effective conservation is guided by evidence-based decision making supported by dynamic processes of learning and knowledge exchange. Although different models promote knowledge exchange, embedding research scientists within conservation agencies is best suited to supporting evidence-based conservation. Based on available literature and our experiences on several continents, we considered the benefits, challenges, and opportunities associated with embedding research scientists within conservation agencies and the research required to better understand the effectiveness of the embedding model for evidence-based conservation. Embedded researchers provide long-term commitment to building social capital among academic and nonacademic stakeholders; act as skilled gatekeepers who increase 2-way flow of knowledge between scientists and managers; attract, coordinate, and support management-relevant external research projects; drive the design and maintenance of long-term monitoring; and align their research with information needs. Notwithstanding the many benefits, research capacity of conservation agencies is declining worldwide. A significant challenge is that the values, structures, functions, and effectiveness of the embedding model of knowledge exchange remain poorly evaluated and documented. Also, embedded researchers have to balance their desire for creativity and flexibility with the standardization and quality control required by their public sector agencies; may be perceived as not credible because they are not truly independent of their agency; and have to couple scientific productivity with skills for transdisciplinary research, social facilitation, and stakeholder engagement. Systematic research on embedding and other models of knowledge exchange, across different world contexts, is required to better understand the benefits, costs, and institutional arrangements associated with different models.