IMPACT OF FLOOD HAZARD ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUES IN GALT (CAMBRIDGE), ONTARIO1

ABSTRACT: This study is an examination of the relationship between flooding and property values for an urban community in southwestern Ontario which has a lengthy history of flooding. As well, peoples’perceptions of the effect of flooding on property values is discussed. Analysis of sales prices and assessment data demonstrated no statistically significant differences in values of property for residences located in high- and low-risk areas either before or after a major flood in 1974. With both the high- and low-risk areas, sales prices after the 1974 flood were significantly higher than sales prices before the flood. The perceived property values followed a similar pattern. We concluded that differences in flood risk and flood experience did not adversely affect actual or perceived long-term property values.     

Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Plastics Molded from Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Modified Soy Protein Isolates

Soybean protein is a potential material for manufacturing of biodegradable plastics. The objective of this investigation was to characterize the thermal and mechanical properties of plastics made from sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-modified soy proteins. Soy protein isolate (SPI) was prepared from defatted soy flour, modified with various concentrations of SDS, and then molded into plastics. The temperatures of denaturation of the modified soy protein increased at low SDS concentration and then decreased at high SDS concentration. At the same SDS concentration, the plastics molded from the modified soy proteins showed a similar temperature of denaturation, but a lower enthalpy of denaturation compared to the modified soy protein. Young's modulus of the plastics decreased as SDS concentration increased, and the tensile strength and strain at break of the plastics reached a maximum value at 1% SDS modification. Two glass transition temperatures were identified corresponding to the 7S and 11S globulins in SPI by dynamic mechanical analysis, and they decreased as SDS concentration increased. The SDS modification increased the water absorption of the plastics.     

深部软岩巷道变形机理及卸荷本构关系研究

安全发展是构建和谐社会的前提,煤炭行业的安全生产又是重中之重,随着煤炭开采深度的增加,巷道支护和管理方面存在的困难将无疑超过浅部其他水平,深部高应力软岩巷道围岩控制成为制约矿井安全、高效生产的主要因素之一.当前我国在安全生产理论方面的研究成果已经对煤矿的安全生产产生了重大影响,并取得卓越成就,而安全生产科学理论的贯彻执行必须借助技术、设备和工艺的创新性研究,并在现场实践中得以全面应用.本文通过对深部巷道开挖过程的应力调整机理、破坏特性及本构关系的研究,提出以锚杆、锚索为主的深部软岩巷道联合支护控制对策,并强调支护材料性能的互补性和施工的适时性.经现场实践,取得良好支护效果.     

The community vs. the market and the state: Forest use inUttarakhand in the Indian Himalayas

Most writers on resource management presume that local populations, if they act in their self-interest, seldom conserve or protect natural resources without external intervention or privatization. Using the example of forest management by villagers in the Indian Himalayas, this paper argues that rural populations can often use resources sustainably and successfully, even under assumptions of self-interested rationality. Under a set of specified social and environmental conditions, conditions that prevail in large areas of the Himalayas and may also exist in other mountain regions, community institutions are more efficient in managing resources than either private individuals or the central government. In advancing this argument, the paper undermines the often dogmatic belief in the universal superiority of private forms of ownership and management.     

Past and future sustainability of water policies in Europe

The article contributes to a discussion on two global issues on water: water resources management, and water supply and sanitation. Focusing on Europe, it traces the legal roots of current systems in history: as a resource, water is considered as a common property, rather than a market good; while as a public service it is usually a commodity. Public water supply and sanitation technologies and engineering have developed under three main paradigms: quantitative and civil engineering; qualitative and chemical/sanitary engineering (both on the supply side); and the most recent one, environmental engineering and integrated management (on the demand side). The cost of public drinking water is due to rise sharply in view of the two‐fold financial challenge of replacing an ageing infrastructure and keeping up with ever‐rising environmental and sanitary quality standards. Who will pay? Government subsidies, or water users? The author suggests that apparent successes with privatisation may have relied heavily on hidden government subsidies and/or the healthy state of previously installed water infrastructure: past government subsidies are still felt for as long as the lifetime of the infrastructure. The article stresses the importance of public participation and decentralized local management of water and sanitation services. Informing and involving users in water management decisions is seen as an integral part of the ‘ethics’ side of the crucial three E's (economics, environment, ethics). The article strongly argues for municipal provision of water services, and hopes that lessons learnt and solutions found in the European experience may serve water services management efforts in other regions of the world.     

极地冻土低温力学特性及井眼坍塌风险分析

为解决极地冻土区油气资源储量极大但其力学特性和钻井井壁失稳机理尚不清晰的问题,对冻土岩样开展低温三轴力学特性实验,并基于此开展钻井井壁坍塌失稳相关数值模拟分析.结果表明:冻土的极限强度会随温度的降低和围压的增大而逐渐提高;冻土弹性模量尽管会随温度的降低而增加,但受围压影响较小,而泊松比基本不受温度及围压的影响;冻土内聚...     

一株产耐热纤维素酶菌株的筛选及酶学性质

采用纤维素刚果红平板法从大田蘑菇种植场建堆的稻草样中分离得到了1株能产具有较好温度耐受性和pH稳定性的纤维素酶的放线菌DY3.综合形态、生理生化特征以及16S rDNA序列分析,将其初步鉴定为嗜热裂孢菌(Thermobifida fusca).对该菌所产纤维素酶的性质研究表明:最适催化温度为65℃,在70℃保温60 min后仍有75%以上的活力;最适催化pH为7.5,在pH 5.5～10.0之间该酶的稳定性较好,pH 10.0的条件下仍有80%的活力;最适作用底物是羧甲基纤维素钠.研究可为木质纤维素的生物预处理提供一定参考价值.     

Agriculture,ethics, and restrictions on property rights

The argument in this essay is twofold. (1) Procedural justice requires,in particular cases, that we restrict property rights in natural resources, e.g., California agricultural land or Appalachian coal land. (2) Conditions imposed by Locke's political theory and by dense population require,in general, that we restrict property rights in finite or non-renewable natural resources such as land. If these arguments are correct, then we have a moral imperative to use land-use controls (such as taxation, planning, zoning, and acreage limitations) to restructure land ownership and land use in a far more radical way than has ever been accomplished in the past.     

林(竹)草不同植被恢复模式下的土壤物理特性

利用建立生态定位观测场,对华西雨屏区洪雅县低山区退耕还林中的桦木+扁穗牛鞭草、苦竹+扁穗牛鞭草、纯扁穗牛鞭草和撑绿杂交竹＋扁穗牛鞭草4种林（竹）草植被类型进行定位观测,研究不同植被恢复类型对土壤物理特性的改良。试验结果表明：林（竹）草不同植被类型植被恢复5年后,土壤0～40 cm土层的砂粒和粗粉粒百分含量均有一定的下降,在一定程度上逆转了原坡耕地土壤继续“粗化”的趋势;4种植被恢复类型土壤0～40 cm土层的物理性粘粒含量与农耕地相比均有一定提高,在一定程度上增强了固持土壤养分的能力,以苦竹＋扁穗牛鞭草改良效果最好;与农耕地相比,4种植被恢复类型土壤0～40 cm土层土壤容重有增有减,以苦竹＋扁穗牛鞭草和撑绿杂交竹＋扁穗牛鞭草植被恢复类型改良效果相对较优;虽然除纯牛鞭草地外其它3种植被恢复类型土壤0～40 cm的总孔隙度与农耕地相比都有一定程度的增加,但土壤总孔隙度都偏小,非毛管孔隙/毛管孔隙值也不合理。可见土壤结构的改良并非退耕后植被恢复短期内就能实现的,还需长时间的植被保护、合理的经营。〖     

Soil Lead at Elementary Public Schools: Comparison Between School Properties and Residential Neighbourhoods of New Orleans

Soil studies, conducted in Maryland, Minnesota and Louisiana, have described the urban pattern of lead contamination. They have shown that the highest amounts of lead cluster within the interior of the largest cities. The results of the New Orleans urban patterns of distribution of soil lead provided the basis for further study. The hypothesis was tested that elementary school properties have the same pattern of soil lead contamination as their neighbouring residential communities. Thirty New Orleans Public Elementary Schools were selected for this study. Surface samples (2.5cm or 1 inch depth) were collected from playgrounds and next to entrances of each school. Results showed that soil lead on school properties follows the same relative contamination patterns (pvalue10^–5) as soil lead on residential properties of neighbouring communities. Schools however, have significantly lower lead contamination than the neighbouring residential properties. Innercity school properties present a higher risk of soil lead exposure than mid and outercity schools. Soils next to innercity school entrances showed the highest lead, with 18.5% having concentrations over 400gg^–1. Systematic landscaping around the school entrances would significantly reduce the hazard from lead dust contaminated soils.