Psychological drivers of risk-reducing behaviors to limit human–wildlife conflict

Conflicts between people and wild animals are increasing globally, often with serious consequences for both. Local regulations or ordinances are frequently used to promote human behaviors that minimize these conflicts (risk-reducing behaviors), but compliance with ordinances can be highly variable. While efforts to increase compliance could be improved through applications of conservation psychology, little is known about the relative influence of different factors motivating compliance. Using concepts from psychology and risk theory, we conducted a longitudinal study pairing data from mail surveys with direct observations of compliance with a wildlife ordinance requiring residents to secure residential garbage from black bears (Ursus americanus). We assessed the relative influence of beliefs and attitudes toward bears and bear proofing, perceived behavioral control, perceived risks and benefits assigned to bears, norms, trust in management, previous experience with conflicts, and demographics on compliance behavior (i.e., bear proofing). Data on previous experience were obtained through direct observation and survey reports. We found that higher compliance rates were associated with more observed conflicts on a respondent's block. Counter to expectations, however, residents were less compliant when they were more trusting of the management agency and perceived more benefits from bears. We suggest that messages have the potential to increase compliance when they empower residents by linking successful management of conflicts to individual actions and emphasize how reducing conflicts could maintain benefits provided by wildlife. Modifying existing educational materials to account for these psychological considerations and evaluating their impact on compliance behavior over time are important next steps in changing human behaviors relevant to the globally important problem of human-wildlife conflict.     

Comparison of the droplet size spectra produced by rotary atomizers and hydraulic nozzles under simulated aerial application conditions

Abstract

A wind tunnel was used to characterize the droplet size spectra of liquid sprays from several different atomizers and nozzles used under simulated aerial application conditions. The atomizers included a D8–46 nozzle, a Through Valve Boom (TVB) nozzle, and rotary cage and drum atomizers.

The D8–46 hydraulic nozzle was evaluated, using water, at orientations of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90° relative to 145 and 180 km/h airstreams. The TVB nozzle was evaluated using water, water with isopropyl alcohol, and water with a non‐ionic surfactant at airstream velocities between 130 and 180 km/h. The rotary atomizers were evaluated at different rotation rates, flow rates of water and an insecticide, in 130 and 180 km/h airstreams.

The volumetric droplet size spectra parameters (D_vo.x) decreased as the angle of the D8–46 nozzle and the airstream velocity increased. Empirical models were developed to predict these values for different windspeed and nozzle angle conditions. The TVB nozzle produced larger droplets than the other atomizers under similar conditions, with a decrease in the D_vo.x parameter values as the airstream velocity increased.

The D_vo.x parameter values produced by the rotary atomizers increased as the liquid flow rate increased, and as the rotation rate and airstream velocity decreased, and were lower for the insecticide than for water. The slotted rotary drum atomizer gave the best control over droplet size, generally producing mono‐modal droplet size spectra where the other atomizers often produced bi‐ and multimodal spectra.     

Test procedure for evaluating the human–machine interface of vehicles with automated driving systems

Abstract

Objective: The human–machine interface (HMI) is a crucial part of every automated driving system (ADS). In the near future, it is likely that—depending on the operational design domain (ODD)—different levels of automation will be available within the same vehicle. The capabilities of a given automation level as well as the operator’s responsibilities must be communicated in an appropriate way. To date, however, there are no agreed-upon evaluation methods that can be used by human factors practitioners as well as researchers to test this.

Methods: We developed an iterative test procedure that can be applied during the product development cycle of ADS. The test procedure is specifically designed to evaluate whether minimum requirements as proposed in NHTSA’s automated vehicle policy are met.

Results: The proposed evaluation protocol includes (a) a method to identify relevant use cases for testing on the basis of all theoretically possible steady states and mode transitions of a given ADS; (b) an expert-based heuristic assessment to evaluate whether the HMI complies with applicable norms, standards, and best practices; and (c) an empirical evaluation of ADS HMIs using a standardized design for user studies and performance metrics.

Conclusions: Each can be used as a stand-alone method or in combination to generate objective, reliable, and valid evaluations of HMIs, focusing on whether they meet minimum requirements. However, we also emphasize that other evaluation aspects such as controllability, misuse, and acceptance are not within the scope of the evaluation protocol.     

Late-onset growth restriction in Galloway–Mowat syndrome: a case report

Galloway–Mowat syndrome (GMS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder and is characterized by marked intrauterine growth retardation, central nervous system anomalies, and early onset nephrotic syndrome. Of the reported cases in the literature, all were diagnosed postnatally. We describe a case of GMS in which only late-onset intrauterine growth restriction was detected by prenatal ultrasound. In her fourth pregnancy, the mother had delivered a male baby with clinical features of GMS who died at seven months of age due to early onset of nephrotic syndrome. In her fifth pregnancy, serial ultrasound examinations were normal during the first and second trimester of pregnancy. Growth restriction and microcephaly were not detectable until 28 to 32 weeks' gestation. At 40 weeks' gestation, a female baby was born with dysmorphic features of GMS. Nephrotic syndrome developed after birth and renal biopsy revealed minimal change nephrotic syndrome. The prenatal course of this case suggests GMS may not be diagnosed in early pregnancy and the only abnormality detected before birth was intrauterine growth restriction. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A sensitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay amplified by biotin–streptavidin system for detecting non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug ketoprofen

A sensitive biotin–streptavidin‐amplified enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (BA‐ELISA) method was developed for detecting non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug ketoprofen. Compared with traditional ELISA method, the sensitivity of proposed immunoassay was enhanced by the biotin–streptavidin system. Under the optimal condition, the median inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was 0.25 ng mL^?1, with minor cross‐reactivity to a number of structural analogs. This developed assay was successfully applied to detect the ketoprofen residues in different fish samples, and good recoveries (72.6–105.5%) were obtained. The results indicated that this immunoassay method could specifically detect trace ketoprofen residues and could be widely used for routine monitoring of food samples.     

Introduction of geomechanical restoration method and its implications for reservoir assessment of unconventional oil-gas resource in China

New technologies are in urgent need of unconventional hydrocarbon exploration and development in China.This paper provides a brief introduction and analysis of a new three-dimensional(3D)geomechanical restoration method developed in recent years.After an in-depth discussion on the technical principle and specific characteristics of the fields,we designed a feasible workflow for two oil-gas fields with great unconventional oil-gas resource potentials in China(Weiyuan and Jiulongshan oil-gas fields of Sichuan).After discussing the major challenges and limitations of the new technology,we also suggest its research efforts and future application prospect It is shown that the new technology will be an effective method to facilitate the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas resources in China.     

Psychosocial and Ergonomic Factors,and Their Relation to Musculoskeletal Complaints in the Swedish Workforce

A random sample of 1 000 subjects (20–65 years old) from the national population of Sweden received a questionnaire; 70% (n = 695) replied, of whom 532 were occupationally active. Female gender, working with neck and/or body bent forward, arms above shoulders, and precision work tasks were predictors of musculoskeletal symptoms. Neck, shoulder, and upper back symptoms were more common in a strained situation at work (high demands, low control) (adjusted odds ratios [adjOR] 2.76, 2.80, and 2.26, respectively). Among females, neck and shoulder symptoms were more common in an iso-strain situation (high demands, low control and low social support) (adjOR 4.43 and 3.69, respectively), and low back symptoms were more common at low social support combined with a passive work situation (adjOR 3.35). No associations were found between iso-strain model and symptoms among males. In conclusion, iso-strain work situation was associated with neck symptoms among females, even when controlling for ergonomic factors.     

3D simulation of hydrogen ignition in a rapid compression machine

Low-temperature (at T < 900–950 K) ignition delays of hydrogen–air mixtures are mainly measured in rapid compression machines (RCM). This communication is aimed at numerical simulation of ignition delays of hydrogen–air mixtures in the RCM by means of a coupled three-dimensional (3D) Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) – Particle Method (PM) simulation of RCM operation capable of catching turbulence–chemistry interaction. The study indicates that the time history of piston motion in an RCM affects the final state of a test mixture at the end of compression stroke and therefore influences the phenomena relevant to test mixture ignition. More specifically, the calculations show that different laws of piston motion at a fixed average piston velocity (i.e., fixed piston displacement and fixed compression time) and fixed compression ratio result in different evolution of mean pressure, temperature and velocity fields in the RCM test section leading to different ignition behavior. The reasons for the arising differences lie in the fact that the local instantaneous piston velocity determines the roll-up vortex structure, strength and turbulence dissipation in it, heat transfer in test-section walls, and mass leakage through piston rings.     

A Non-confrontational Approach to Socially Responsible Air Pollution Control: The electoral experience of Kitakyushu

Social scientists have described Japan's urban anti-pollution protests in the 1960s as a national phenomenon. However, in Kitakyushu, Japan's most polluted industrial city at that time, no distinct citizens' movement developed. Because local politics and economics were so dominated by large industry, its citizens were reluctant to directly challenge these industries. Instead, local women's groups studied local pollution problems and presented their general findings to the public. These activities raised public awareness and resulted in increased support for local leftist politicians because leftist administrations had succeeded in cutting pollution in their cities. Kitakyushu's conservative mayor and local industry both became concerned that leftists would win the next local elections if pollution was not reduced. Thus the municipal government utilised scientific pollution data and prepared individualised pollution reduction recommendations in sulphur oxide pollution control agreements, which were accepted and complied with by all local industries. The result was a significant reduction in air pollution without the need for active intervention from Kitakyushu's citizenry. Cientificos sociales han descrito las protestas anti-polución urbana de Japon en los años 60 como un fenómeno nacional. Sinembargo, en Kitakyushu, ciudad industrial japonesa más polucionada en ese tiempo, no se desarrollóningún movimiento ciudadano evidente. Debido a que las políticas locales y económicas eran dominadas por la gran industria, sus ciudadanos no estaban dispuestos a retar directamente estas industrias. En lugar de eso, grupos locales de mujeres estudiaron problemas locales de polución y presentaron sus resultados al público. Estas actividades despertaron conciencia pública y resultaron en el incremento del apoyo para políticos izquierdistas locales debido a que las administraciones izquierdistas habían triunfado en la reducción de la polución en sus ciudades. El alcalde conservador y la industria local de Kitakyushu empezaron a preocuparse que los izquierdistas ganarían las próximas elecciones locales si la polución no era reducida. Asíque, el Gobierno Municipal utilizó información científica sobre polución y preparó recomendaciones de reducción de polución individualizada en acuerdos de control de polución en oxído sulfurico, los cuales fueron aceptados y obedecidos por todas las industrias locales. El resultado fue una significativa reducción en la polución del aire sin la necesidad de la intervención activa de parte de la ciudadania de Kitakyushu.     

The use of cost–benefit analysis in environmental policies: Some issues raised by the Water Framework Directive implementation in France

This paper aims to practically contribute to the literature on the use of cost–benefit analysis (CBA) and economic evaluation in environmental decision-making through a practical case study: the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in France, for the first cycle (2010–2015). The WFD requires that Member States achieve “good status” for all water bodies in 2015. However, exemptions can apply, if justified, on natural, technical or economic reasons. For the latter, EU guidance documents recommend to use CBA. In France, the water agencies carried out 710 CBAs on proposed restoration projects for water bodies. This article reports on this experience. Issues concerning these analyses are discussed, especially the assessment of non-market benefits. Finally, this article questions the use of economic analysis in the implementation of environmental policy.