The effect of landscape type and landscape elements on public visual preferences: ways to use knowledge in the context of landscape planning

This study deals with an assessment of the visual quality of landscapes, and specifically with the perception of selected elements in the landscape. The aim of the study was to find out how particular elements are perceived in various landscape types, whether this perception is affected by the landscape type in which the elements are placed, and to what extent the respondents’ characteristics affect the assessment. The study was carried out with a sample of respondents of various ages, educational levels and types of employment. The respondents came from Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The preferences of the respondents were determined using an online questionnaire, in which they rated landscape photographs on a 21 point rating scale with a range from ?10 to +10 points. Using generalised linear mixed effect models, it was found that the perception of an element is most affected by the landscape type, since the same element was assessed differently according to the landscape in which it was situated. The results confirmed that selected elements which do not disturb the harmony of the landscape are generally positively perceived, and the selected elements of a technical character are generally negatively perceived. Among the characteristics of the respondents, only gender and the respondent's current place of residence have an effect on their visual preferences.     

Improved management practice and process hazard analysis techniques for minimizing likelihood of process safety incidents in Taiwan

In Taiwan, process safety accidents often occur despite the prior implementation of process hazard analysis (PHA). One of the main reasons for this is the poor quality of the PHA process; with the main hazards not being properly identified, or properly controlled. Accordingly, based on the findings of 86 process safety management (PSM) audits, dozens of post-accident site resumption review meetings, and hundreds of PSM review sessions, this study examines the main deficiencies of management practice and PHA implementation in Taiwan, and presents several recommendations for improved PHA assessment techniques and procedures. The study additionally examines the feasibility for using PSM-related information, such as process safety information and process incident information, as a tool for further enhancing the PHA quality. Overall, the study suggests that, in addition to following the basic rules of PHA and requirements of OSHA (1992),management in Taiwan should also provide training in the enhanced assessment techniques proposed herein and take active steps to incorporate PSM information into the PHA framework in order to improve the general quality of PHA and reduce the likelihood of process safety accidents accordingly.     

Recognizing reflexivity among conservation practitioners

When deciding how to conserve biodiversity, practitioners navigate diverse missions, sometimes conflicting approaches, and uncertain trade-offs. These choices are based not only on evidence, funders’ priorities, stakeholders’ interests, and policies, but also on practitioners’ personal experiences, backgrounds, and values. Calls for greater reflexivity—an individual or group's ability to examine themselves in relation to their actions and interactions with others—have appeared in the conservation science literature. But what role does reflexivity play in conservation practice? We explored how self-reflection can shape how individuals and groups conserve nature. To provide examples of reflexivity in conservation practice, we conducted a year-long series of workshop discussions and online exchanges. During these, we examined cases from the peer-reviewed and gray literature, our own experiences, and conversations with 10 experts. Reflexivity among practitioners spanned individual and collective levels and informal and formal settings. Reflexivity also encompassed diverse themes, including practitioners’ values, emotional struggles, social identities, training, cultural backgrounds, and experiences of success and failure. Reflexive processes also have limitations, dangers, and costs. Informal and institutionalized reflexivity requires allocation of limited time and resources, can be hard to put into practice, and alone cannot solve conservation challenges. Yet, when intentionally undertaken, reflexive processes might be integrated into adaptive management cycles at multiple points, helping conservation practitioners better reach their goals. Reflexivity could also play a more transformative role in conservation by motivating practitioners to reevaluate their goals and methods entirely. Reflexivity might help the conservation movement imagine and thus work toward a better world for wildlife, people, and the conservation sector itself.     

Required hours of practice for learner drivers: A comparison between two Australian jurisdictions

Problem

This study considers whether requiring learner drivers to complete a set number of hours while on a learner license affects the amount of hours of supervised practice that they undertake. It compares the amount of practice that learners in Queensland and New South Wales report undertaking. At the time the study was conducted, learner drivers in New South Wales were required to complete 50 hours of supervised practice while those from Queensland were not.

Method

Participants were approached outside driver licensing centers after they had just completed their practical driving test to obtain their provisional (intermediate) license. Those agreeing to participate were interviewed over the phone later and asked a range of questions to obtain information including socio-demographic details and amount of supervised practice completed.

Results

There was a significant difference in the amount of practice that learners reported undertaking. Participants from New South Wales reported completing a significantly greater amount of practice (M = 73.3 hours, sd = 29.12 hours) on their learner license than those from Queensland (M = 64.1 hours, sd = 51.05 hours). However, the distribution of hours of practice among the Queensland participants was bimodal in nature. Participants from Queensland reported either completing much less or much more practice than the New South Wales average.

Summary

While it appears that the requirement that learner drivers complete a set number of hours may increase the average amount of hours of practice obtained, it may also serve to discourage drivers from obtaining additional practice, over and above the required hours.

Impact on Industry

The results of this study suggest that the implications of requiring learner drivers to complete a set number of hours of supervised practice are complex. In some cases, policy makers may inadvertently limit the amount of hours learners obtain to the mandated amount rather than encouraging them to obtain as much practice as possible.     

浅埋薄基岩煤层短壁连采模式及应用研究

随着短壁连采技术的发展和应用,给浅埋薄基岩煤层的高效开采创造了有利条件。本文以神东煤田浅埋区域2-2煤层为研究对象,从分析其覆岩活动规律入手,借助实践经验、实验数据、理论计算及计算机模拟等结论,得出浅埋薄基岩煤层短壁回采工艺的一系列合理参数(主要包括:工作面长度、采硐布置方式、宽度、同采数量、煤柱尺寸、支护方式等),从而确定出浅埋薄基岩煤层短壁连采技术适用条件分类(划分为五个类别:Ⅰ单一采硐式、Ⅱ5间10m-多硐间隔式、Ⅲ5间5m-多硐间隔式、Ⅳ10间5m-多硐间隔式、Ⅴ多硐连续式),形成了浅埋薄基岩煤层开采模式。经过在苏家壕煤矿的应用,成功解决了薄基岩条件下短壁工作面高产高效的问题,并取得了良好效果,对其他相似煤层的开采具有广泛的指导意义。     

含铜蚀刻废液的回收与利用

某酸性蚀刻废液和碱性蚀刻废液混合得到沉淀物———Cu(OH)Cl,过滤后该沉淀物可与浓H2SO4反应生成CuSO4产品,而残留废水中的Cu2 可通过Na2S去除。实验室小试结果表明,当该酸性和碱性蚀刻废液以5∶13的体积比混合时,可以使Cu(OH)Cl得到最大限度的沉淀(96.53%的铜沉淀);当以15∶4的质量比(Na2S∶Cu2 )投加Na2S时,残留废水中的Cu2 可以最大限度的去除(98.78%的铜离子得到去除)。此后的工程实践对具体的工艺操作进行了调试,验证了此工艺回收与利用含铜蚀刻废液的可行性。     

资源循环科学与工程专业课程体系优化与教学内容创新实践的探索

针对资源循环科学与工程本科专业课程教学,以西安建筑科技大学该专业课程体系为案例,通过对毕业生和专业研讨会调研,分析了课程体系建设的现状和存在的问题。借鉴其他高校资源专业的课程体系和教学内容,通过梳理各门专业课程的教学内容和相互联系,构建了资源专业课程体系课程群,探索了课程体系优化的方法和增加创新实践环节的具体措施。     

宏观生态环境动态监测实践--以内蒙古敖汉旗为例

从70年代后期开始,敖汉旗政府和人民开展以植树造林为主的生态环境建设措施,到90年代生态环境已得到明显改善.文章利用RS、GIS技术结合当地政府的统计资料和实测资料分析了生态环境的变化和当地政府建设生态环境的成功经验.     

加强中学生环境保护知识教育在教学中的实践

日趋严重的环境问题已成为世界性的问题,环境污染与人类生存、社会的发展和进步出现了尖锐的矛盾,已引起世界各国政府的高度关注。要解决环境问题,必须从教育入手,特别是在中小学中加强环境教育。怎样对学生进行环境教育呢？本文从三个方面进行了探讨,一是以讲座形式对学生进行环境教育;二是组织学生进行课外活动或参观;三是请有关专家对学生进行专题报告。学生通过这些活动可了解到化学物质对环境污染所造成的严重后果,了解到环境问题是和每个人息息相关的,保护环境是每个人义不容辞的责任,这将使中学化学教育在加强环境保护教育中起到应有的作用。     

From Policy to Practice: Challenges in Infant Feeding in Emergencies During the Balkan Crisis

The preparation and dissemination of policy statements are necessary but insufficient to prevent the inappropriate use of infant-feeding products in emergencies. The widespread failure of humanitarian agencies operating in the Balkan crisis to act in accordance with international policies and recommendations provides a recent example of the failure to translate infant-feeding policies into practice. This article explores the underlying reasons behind the failures which include: (1) the weak institutionalisation of policies; (2) the massive quantities of unsolicited donations of infant-feeding products: (3) the absence of monitoring systems; (4) inadequate co-ordination mechanisms; (5) the high costs of correcting mistakes; and (6) the cumulative effects of poor practice. Efforts to uphold best practice during the crisis are also documented. Finally, the article identifies actions that could be undertaken in advance of and during future emergencies to enhance the application of infant feeding policies in emergencies.