Apples, Oranges, and Probabilities: Integrating Multiple Factors into Biodiversity Conservation with Consistency

We explore the problem of integrating some of the many factors involved in conservation planning by focusing on their effects on a common currency of conservation success, the probability of persistence. This approach has the potential to reduce many of the difficulties inherent in combining different pattern and process factors. For handling information expressed as probabilities, five area-selection methods are compared.     

Time allocation strategies in insect parasitoids: from ultimate predictions to proximate behavioral mechanisms

As most parasitoids are time limited, they usually die before they have laid all their eggs. In such cases, optimal foraging theory predicts that female parasitoids will adopt behavioral reproductive strategies enabling them to maximize progeny production per unit of time. One key situation in which parasitoid females must optimize their time budget is related to the fact that most of their hosts are distributed in discrete patches in the environment. In this review, I first present the results of basic theoretical models predicting female wasp search duration on a patch of hosts. I then compile and analyze all studies investigating the effect of different factors on parasitoid patch time allocation and patch-leaving decision rules. Different patch-leaving mechanisms that were proposed to explain the results obtained are discussed, along with statistical methods that should be used to estimate them from experimental data. Finally, ideas for future research are presented.     

Source Apportionment in the Town of La Spezia (Italy) by Continuous Aerosol Sampling and PIXE Analysis

We describe the results of an aerosol sampling campaign performedin 1999 in the medium-size industrial town of La Spezia, in theNorthwest of Italy. We used two-stage continuous streakersamplers in three different sites and periods of the year. This kind of samplers allows the separation of the PM₁₀ andPM_2.2 fractions of the particulate matter. Moreover, the hourly resolution in the aerosol collection is particularly useful inan urban environment where, typically, many pollution sourceswith fast variations are present. Up to 1700 samples have beenanalysed by Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) at the INFNaccelerator facility in Florence, obtaining hourly concentrationfor about 20 elements from Na to Pb, with a sensitivity rangingfrom below 1 to about 10 ng m^-3. The total hourly aerosolmass has been estimated with an optical analysis of the samesamples performed (before the PIXE analysis) by an equipment designed and mounted in Genoa. An extensive statistical analysisof the data included standard and Absolute Principal ComponentFactor Analysis (PCFA and APCFA) to deduce the compositionand the weight of the major aerosol sources in both fractions.Thorough different statistical approaches, we generally resolvedcontributions from vehicle emission, fossil fuel combustion,soil-road dust and sea salt aerosol.     

Statistical control in correlational studies: 10 essential recommendations for organizational researchers

Statistical control is widely used in correlational studies with the intent of providing more accurate estimates of relationships among variables, more conservative tests of hypotheses, or ruling out alternative explanations for empirical findings. However, the use of control variables can produce uninterpretable parameter estimates, erroneous inferences, irreplicable results, and other barriers to scientific progress. As a result, methodologists have provided a great deal of advice regarding the use of statistical control, to the point that researchers might have difficulties sifting through and prioritizing the available suggestions. We integrate and condense this literature into a set of 10 essential recommendations that are generally applicable and which, if followed, would substantially enhance the quality of published organizational research. We provide explanations, qualifications, and examples following each recommendation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The call for an increased role of replication,extension, and mixed‐methods study designs in organizational research

Examples from previously published work by the lead author on the role of employee health indicators on individual and organizational outcomes provide an intriguing backdrop through the use of illustration for suggesting some of the many benefits obtained by the incorporation of replication, extension, and mixed‐methods study designs in organizational research. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

国内外群体建筑物震害预测方法研究现状综述

群体建筑物震害预测是确定一个城市或地区某一类建筑在确定强度或某一确定时期内的地震作用下,发生某种破坏程度的概率,其目的是分析建筑物在遭受不同地震烈度影响时可能产生的破坏。系统梳理了现今为止国内外群体建筑物震害预测的学术研究现状,总结归纳了国内外传统的群体建筑物震害预测方法和近二十年来国内对于传统震害预测方法的改进研究进展,以期为城市群体建筑物震害预测研究提供新的视角和基础资料。     

Factors affecting adolescents’ use of urban public spaces in their leisure time: an exploratory study from the city of Vienna

Urban public spaces are important areas for leisure, recreation and physical activity and therefore contribute to the quality of life in cities. In particular, for adolescents they provide important spaces to meet with their peers, away from parental or school control. In many cities worldwide, public spaces have undergone severe developmental processes, and often a withdrawal from public space is noted. With regard to the opportunities those spaces provide for adolescents, it is necessary to investigate their current meaning for adolescents in a leisure context. In this article, qualitative research methods were used to investigate factors affecting adolescents’ use of public spaces in Vienna, Austria. In total 45 adolescents were interviewed. Results show that public open spaces are not regarded as important leisure spaces, and data reveal a strong retreat to private areas for leisure purposes. Perceived insecurities and fears support these processes and often result in avoidance of public spaces but also the wish for more control by authorities.     

气候友好型环境影响评价方法研究与探讨

通过环境影响评价手段开展温室气体控制具有一定的可操作性和现实意义。本文主要从技术角度,研究和探讨温室气体环境影响评价整体思路、评价指标与评价基准的选取、排放源强的识别和估算等内容。从而提出气候友好型环境影响评价技术方法的初步观点,为相关技术规范制订做好技术储备,为适应国际应对气候变化形势、适合我国国情需要的监管制度提供必要的技术支撑。     

大气汞污染的研究进展与监测方法

目前全球大气汞的污染日益严重,本文从大气汞的形态、来源、行为过程、时空分布、监测方法及监测点位六个方面对这一污染物的研究进行了论述,并研究指出我国面临严峻的汞污染形势,国内大气汞的研究还比较薄弱,因此逐步开展我国大气汞的系统研究迫在眉睫。     

养殖海水中环境激素的环境风险评价技术研究

海水养殖因海水污染及渔业生产中药物及生长调剂的不当使用,会导致环境激素类物质污染食品,破坏海域的水生生态环境的负面影响,本文研究对环境影响评价技术进行了一些初步的研究及探索工作,包括评价工作程序、评价内容、评价因子、评价指标、评价标准、评价技术方法等方面。旨在为我国渔业养殖生态风险评价工作提供有益借鉴,并对我国的海水养殖环境安全管理起到积极的促进作用。