A hybrid model for human factor analysis in process accidents: FBN-HFACS

Human factors are the largest contributing factors to unsafe operation of the chemical process systems. Conventional methods of human factor assessment are often static, unable to deal with data and model uncertainty, and to consider independencies among failure modes. To overcome the above limitations, this paper presents a hybrid dynamic human factor model considering Human Factor Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), intuitionistic fuzzy set theory, and Bayesian network. The model is tested on accident scenarios which have occurred in a hot tapping operation of a natural gas pipeline. The results demonstrate that poor occupational safety training, failure to implement risk management principles, and ignoring reporting unsafe conditions were the factors that contributed most failures causing accident. The potential risk-based safety measures for preventing similar accidents are discussed. The application of the model confirms its robustness in estimating impact rate (degree) of human factor induced failures, consideration of the conditional dependency, and a dynamic and flexible modelling structure.     

Community evacuation following a chlorine release, Mississippi

On 7th September 1986, four miles north of Collins, Mississippi, a train transporting chlorine derailed. Two cars ruptured and gas escaped. As a result, 100 families were evacuated. To study the evacuation process, we conducted person-to-person interviews with sixty-two families staying in the evacuation center. Only 52.5% of the families received their first directive to evacuate directly from police or other officials. Delays in evacuating tended to be shorter when people were warned by the police and were told the reason for evacuating. Lack of personal transportation and preexisting health problems resulted in delays in evacuation. Concerns about evacuation included fear of looting, lack of a place to go, lack of transportation, difficulty in moving with children and elderly persons, and the need to take care of pets. One third of the interviewees reported feeling panic. Community evacuation procedures would be improved if: (1) officials contact all households directly; (2) the warning message addresses people's concerns; and (3) transportation is provided.     

Response of the Ascorbate-Peroxidase of Selenastrum capricornutum to Copper and Lead in Stormwaters

The green alga Selenastrum capricornutum expresses a uniqueascorbate peroxidase, that responds to copper and lead. Attemptswere made to test if this peroxidase could be used to monitor thelevels of copper and lead in natural waters. When S.capricornutum was exposed to a stormwater sample, the specificactivity of the peroxidase in the cell extract was commensuratewith the combined copper and lead contents in the sample. Theperoxidase responses were also correlated with the 96 hr biomasstoxicity assay of S. capricornutum. However, unlike thebiomass toxicity assay, the peroxidase activity was not affectedby the anions in the samples. The use of this peroxidase can beused as a marker for testing heavy metal toxicity in the water.     

高等院校教师有效激励机制的探讨

高等院校管理者必须思考如何更加有效的激励教师工作的积极性。高等院校教师的有效激励机制包括教师工作激励机制、教师成就激励机制和优秀教师的价值激励机制。三者有机结合，才能更好的促进教师的工作积极性、主动性、创造性，实现高等院校教师的自我价值。     

环境风险评价中若干问题探讨

社会经济的高速发展,也诱发了新的环境风险可能性的发生,特别是近年来的多种环境风险灾害事故的发生已引起了各国和国际组织的普遍关注。环境风险评价与环境风险管理已成为保护生态环境、维护公众健康的重要内容和制定决策的重要依据。文章结合目前环境风险评价的发展,探讨有关两大类环境风险评价(突发性与非突发性)以及环境风险评价与安全评价的区别,环境风险评价评估标准以及环境风险评价与城市环境管理的一些问题。     

生物硝化池污水中硝化细菌的快速定量研究

实验采用聚合酶链式反应（PCR）技术与最大几率数法（MPN）相结合的MPN－PCR法对生物硝化池污水中的硝化细菌进行快速定量。所用的一对PCR引物是在对硝化细菌的16SrRNA基因进行系统比较的基础上设计合成的，可以扩增出大小为388bp的DNA片段。以从生物硝化池污水中抽提的含硝化细菌DNA的混合DNA为模板，进行PCR扩增并确定合适的扩增条件。运用MPN－PCR法进行定量检测的整个过程可在几小时之内完成。