Traditional agriculture in transition: examining the impacts of agricultural modernization on smallholder farming in Ghana under the new Green Revolution

Following the renewed effort at achieving a new green revolution for Africa, emphasis has been placed on modernizing smallholder agriculture through the deployment of improved inputs especially mechanized technologies. In Ghana, the government has in the last decade emphasized the provision of subsidized mechanized ploughing services to farmers alongside a rapidly growing private sector tractor service market. While mechanized technology adoption rates have increased rapidly, the deployment of these technologies has been without critical analysis of the impacts on production patterns and local agrarian systems. This paper examines the distributional impacts of agriculture mechanization on cropping patterns and farm sizes of smallholder farmers in northern Ghana using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques, and semi-structured interviews with smallholder farmers (n=60). Specifically, comparative analysis of the field sizes and cropping patterns of participant farmers prior to and after the adoption of mechanized technologies was conducted. In-depth interviews were used to contextualize the experiences of smallholder farmers toward understanding how mechanization may be impacting traditional agriculture. Our findings reveal a mechanization paradox in which farm sizes are expanding, while cropping patterns are shifting away from traditional staple crops (pearl millet and sorghum bicolor) to market-oriented crops (maize, rice and groundnuts). This transition we argue, has adverse implications on the cultural dimension of food security, the organization of social life, and climate change adaptation. We recommend a retooling of the current agricultural policy focus to ensure context sensitivity for a more robust battle against food insecurity.     

发现式学习与新课程改革

布鲁纳在20世纪60年代以结构主义理论为基础领导了美国的课程改革运动.虽然此次课程改革以失败而告终,但是发现式学习方法及其教学方法的提出却受到了广泛的关注.布鲁纳也曾就发现式学习进行了专门的论述.本文从发现式学习法的特点、作用出发来探求我国目前正在进行的第八轮新课程改革,试图为我国新课程改革中学习、教学方法的改革提供一个新的视角.     

旅游目的地网络空间结构及其复杂性研究——野三坡旅游地案例实证

复杂性是旅游目的地网络化发展的必然趋势,是认识旅游地网络空间结构与组织特征的重要研究手段。论文以河北省野三坡旅游地为例,通过构建旅游联系强度模型,建立旅游地空间网络,并运用TOP网络空间分析以及复杂网络理论,揭示旅游地网络空间结构与组织的复杂性特征。研究发现：1）旅游地网络具有空间集聚性,形成了以核心景区为中心,由中心城镇、乡村社区和特色园区共同构成的空间集聚单元,并体现出“邻近连接”与“择优连接”的双重特性;2）旅游地网络服从幂律分布,具有无标度网络特性;3）每个节点的前三名和前五名旅游联系强度网络（Top3和Top5网络）具有较小的平均路径长度、较大的集聚系数,呈现出典型的“小世界网络”特征;4）旅游地网络是典型的异配型网络,度-度呈负相关,而网络节点的集聚系数与其度值之间存在近似的倒数关系,因此具有层次性。     

离子色谱分析中的几个问题探讨

在掌握离子色谱技术最新发展动态的基础上,对离子色谱的新进展、前处理新技术、常用的改善分离度方法、若干注意事项、常遇到的问题等进行了分析探讨,以期用离子色谱技术更多更好地解决实际问题.     

Air Pollution and Heat Exposure Study in the Workplace in a Glass Manufacturing Unit in India

Air pollution in the workplace environment due to industrial operation have been found to cause serious occupational health hazard. Similarly, heat stress is still most neglected occupational hazard in the tropical and subtropical countries like India. The hot climate augments the heat exposure close to sources like furnaces. In this study an attempt is made to assess air pollution and heat exposure levels to workers in the workplace environment in glass manufacturing unit located in the State of Gujarat, India. Samples for workplace air quality were collected for SPM, SO₂, NO₂ and CO₂ at eight locations. Results of workplace air quality showed 8-hourly average concentrations of SPM: 165–9118 μg/m³, SO₂: 6–9 μg/m³ and NO₂: 5–42 μg/m³, which were below the threshold limit values of workplace environment. The level of CO₂ in workplace air of the plant was found to be in the range 827–2886 μg/m³, which was below TLV but much higher than the normal concentration for CO₂ in the air (585 mg/m³). Indoor heat exposure was studied near the furnace and at various locations in an industrial complex for glass manufacturing. The heat exposure parameters including the air temperature, the wet bulb temperature, and the globe parameters were measured. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), an indicator of heat, exceeded ACGIH TLVs limits most of the time at all the locations in workplace areas. The recommended duration of work and rest have also been estimated.     

浅析新农村建设中主要环境问题及对策措施

对新农村建设中主要存在的生活污染、农业生产活动污染和农村第三产业带来的污染等一系列环境问题进行了分析。要实现新农村建设和环境保护的“共赢”,新农村建设和农村环境保护建设就要同步规划、同步实施、同步发展,推进新农村走上生产发展、生活富裕、生态良好的文明发展道路。     

硫磺回收装置标定及分析

本文对Ⅱ套SRU的标定结果，进行了比较详细的技术分析，在此基础上，对装置及其运行状况作出了评价，并提出了一些建设。     

地勘单位安全工作现状及强化安全管理对策和安全管理工作思考

本文针对目前地勘单元安全工作的现状，提出强化安全管理的对策，并结合当前国内安全生产的严峻形势，对安全管理工作进行了思考。     

我国现阶段应采取的节水措施

文中提及我国现阶段节水工作要从提高新水资源利用率入手，在进行节水宣传教育的同时，建立能动的节水机制，充分利用宝贵的降水资源，发挥可利用新水资源最大的效率，为我国未来经济社会的发展创造有利的条件。     

加工含硫阿曼原油后柴油加氢装置的防腐与安全运行

通过分析柴油加氢装置的腐蚀现象及腐蚀原因，找出了因腐蚀造成的安全隐患。通过化验分析推断出发生腐蚀的重点部位。采用了加注缓蚀剂等有效的防腐措施，使腐蚀得到有效控制，保证了装置的安全运行。