Sustainable Development in Jordan

Sustainable development is a process which aims at establishing a harmonious relationship between man, on the one hand, and environmental and natural resources, on the other, capable of coping with ever-increasing changes and challenges over time. This paper investigates, in a conceptual and qualitative manner, the practices and procedures of sustainable development in Jordan and outlines constraints and difficulties facing Jordan in pursuing such development. The paper concludes with a presentation of some prerequisites for the process in the light of the national objectives and suggests recommendations for future action.     

Towards a better management of complex emergencies through crisis management meta‐modelling

Managing complex emergency situations is a challenging task, mainly due to the heterogeneity of the partners involved and the critical nature of such events. Whatever approach is adopted to support this objective, one unavoidable issue is knowledge management. In the context of our research project, gathering, formalising and exploiting all the knowledge and information about a given crisis situation is a critical requirement. This paper presents some research results concerning this specific topic: from a theoretical point of view, the generic dimensions of crisis characterisation are defined, while from a technical point of view, we describe a software solution able to collect that knowledge (based on meta‐models and ontologies). This is used to confront the characteristics of the situation (context) with characteristics of the resources (relief system) in order to design a suitable response. Finally, an illustrative example concerning a crash between a tanker truck and a train is described.     

Policy challenges and approaches for the conservation of mangrove forests in Southeast Asia

Many drivers of mangrove forest loss operate over large scales and are most effectively addressed by policy interventions. However, conflicting or unclear policy objectives exist at multiple tiers of government, resulting in contradictory management decisions. To address this, we considered four approaches that are being used increasingly or could be deployed in Southeast Asia to ensure sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. First, a stronger incorporation of mangroves into marine protected areas (that currently focus largely on reefs and fisheries) could resolve some policy conflicts and ensure that mangroves do not fall through a policy gap. Second, examples of community and government comanagement exist, but achieving comanagement at scale will be important in reconciling stakeholders and addressing conflicting policy objectives. Third, private‐sector initiatives could protect mangroves through existing and novel mechanisms in degraded areas and areas under future threat. Finally, payments for ecosystem services (PES) hold great promise for mangrove conservation, with carbon PES schemes (known as blue carbon) attracting attention. Although barriers remain to the implementation of PES, the potential to implement them at multiple scales exists. Closing the gap between mangrove conservation policies and action is crucial to the improved protection and management of this imperiled coastal ecosystem and to the livelihoods that depend on them.     

Urgently reveal longly hidden toxicant in a familiar fabrication process of biomass-derived environment carbon material

Biomass-derived N-doped carbon (BNC) is an important environmental material and widely used in the fields of water purification and soil remediation. However, the toxicant in the commonly used synthesis process of BNC materials have been largely ignored. Herein, we firstly report the presence of a highly toxic by-product (KCN) in the activation process of BNC materials consequential of the carbothermal reduction reaction. Because this carbothermal reduction reaction also regulates the N-doping and pore development of BNC materials, the KCN content directly relates with the properties of BNC material properties. Accordingly, a high KCN content (∽ 611 mg) can occur in the production process of per g BNC material with high specific surface area (∽ 3600 m²/g). Because the application performance of BNC material is determined by the surface area and available N doping, therefore, production of a BNC material with high performance entails high risk. Undoubtedly, this study proves a completely new risk recognition on a familiar synthesis process of biomass-based material. And, strict protective device should be taken in fabrication process of biomass-derived carbon material.     

MoS2强化Fe2+活化单过硫酸盐去除磺胺甲恶唑和还原六价铬的研究

采用二硫化钼（MoS₂）作为助催化剂加入到亚铁离子（Fe²⁺）/单过硫酸盐（PMS）体系,去除溶液中的磺胺甲恶唑（SMX）和还原六价铬（Cr（Ⅵ））,分别对SMX及SMX与Cr（Ⅵ）共存情况下的去除效果进行研究,并考察了MoS₂、Fe²⁺、PMS、SMX投加量对SMX和Cr（Ⅵ）去除效果的影响.结果表明,在[MoS₂]₀=0.9 g·L^-1,[Fe²⁺]₀ =0.3 mmol·L^-1,[PMS]₀=1 mmol·L^-1,[Cr（Ⅵ）]₀=100 μmol·L^-1,[SMX]₀=25 μmol·L^-1,初始pH为3.0的条件下反应30 min时,SMX的去除率和Cr（Ⅵ）的还原率分别达到98.8%和99.2%;实验中MoS₂和Fe²⁺浓度与Cr（Ⅵ）还原率呈正相关,而PMS浓度过高则会抑制Cr（Ⅵ）的还原;MoS₂/Fe²⁺/PMS体系下Cr（Ⅵ）的还原机理不仅与MoS₂还原生成的亚铁离子有关,Cr（Ⅵ）也能够被MoS₂或PMS直接还原.EPR实验表明,MoS₂/Fe²⁺/PMS体系中主要的自由基是SO₄^·-和HO^·.     

How to “walk the talk”: The perspectives of sector staff on implementation of the rural water supply programme in Uganda

Many countries in sub‐Saharan Africa have adopted similar approaches to tackle the challenges of rural water supply, including community‐based management, community participation and the demand‐responsive approach. These are often combined with nationwide programmes of capacity‐building and decentralization. This paper first shows how Uganda has adopted these approaches in its rural water supply programme. Based on Government documents, we construct an organizational framework that illustrates the overall programme and outlines the roles and responsibilities which actors are expected to fulfil. Second, based on interviews with sector staff and a review of Government documents, the paper examines challenges to successfully “walk the talk”; that is, it provides insight into challenges affecting programme implementation. Among numerous difficulties, two key issues are highlighted: local political interference and the weak capacity of local governments. Concerning local political interference, local planning processes need to be reformed so that local politicians commit more strongly to improving water supply. Regarding local government capacity, the Government department responsible for the programme has established eight regional units that provide support to local governments. This promising strategy, combined with more appropriate engagement and the commitment of local politicians, should help to improve the implementation of the rural water supply programme in Uganda.     

基于物联网技术的设备状态维修安全管理研究

随着物联网(IOT)技术的不断发展,状态维修(CBM)理论逐步运用于设备安全管理中。通过构建基于物联网技术的设备状态维修安全管理体系,建立CBM预测决策模型,并通过设备轴承状态维修的例证来说明模型的可用性。结果表明:设备实现物联网后,基于物联网技术的设备状态维修安全管理是科学可行的,便于设备的维修管理,提高设备的安全工作寿命。     

Remodelling reparation: changes in the compensation of victims of natural catastrophes in Belgium and the Netherlands

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the development and present state of compensation for victims of catastrophes in Belgium and the Netherlands. These two neighbouring countries have both seen legislative changes in this field in recent years, albeit with different outcomes. The paper thus analyses to what extent the two compensation scheme structures allow for conclusions as to the comparative benefits of a comprehensive insurance scheme for natural disasters. From the perspective of law and economics, the evolution of private insurance and public intervention through compensation funds, the preference for private or public solutions and the actual financing of these are examined. Drawing on practical experience, such as the case of flood risks, the solutions are tested in view of incentive-based financing. The paper concludes that the private insurance market is more developed in Belgium than it is in the Netherlands, where the reform process has not yet ended.