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.     

Particulate matter exchange between atmosphere and roads surfaces in urban areas

The deposition and the re-suspension of particulate matter (PM) in urban areas are the key processes that contribute not only to stormwater pollution, but also to air pollution. However, investigation of the deposition and the re-suspension of PM is challenging because of the difficulties in distinguishing between the resuspended and the deposited PM. This study created two Bayesian Networks (BN) models to explore the deposition and the re-suspension of PM as well as the important influential factors. The outcomes of BN modelling revealed that deposition and re-suspension of PM10 occurred under both, high-traffic and low-traffic conditions, and the re-suspension of PM2.5 occurred under low-traffic conditions. The deposition of PM10 under low-volume traffic condition is 1.6 times higher than under high-volume traffic condition, which is attributed to the decrease in PM10 caused by relatively higher turbulence under high-volume traffic conditions. PM10 is more easily resuspended from road surfaces compared to PM2.5 as the particles which larger than the thickness of the laminar airflow over the road surface are more easily removed from road surfaces. The increase in wind speed contributes to the increase in PM build-up by transporting particulates from roadside areas to the road surfaces and the airborne PM2.5 and PM10 increases with the increase in relative humidity. The study outcomes provide a step improvement in the understanding of the transfer processes of PM2.5 and PM10 between atmosphere and urban road surfaces, which in turn will contribute to the effective design of mitigation measures for urban stormwater and air pollution.     

对熏烟扩散模式应用的探讨

工程上应用的大气污染物扩散模式中 ,熏烟模式由于其非定常性而与其他扩散模式有很大的区别。正确处理模式中各参数及变量的相互关系才能客观地反映污染物对环境影响的结果。本研究通过对熏烟模式的非定常性和各参数、变量相互关系的分析 ,提出了正确使用该模式的方法     

Waste minimization and its ecological evaluation A case study in printed circuit board manufacture

The printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers face several problems regarding the waste they generate. In Austria, a detailed study for waste minimization was carried out with three PCB manufacturers and one electroplating company. In this project a lot of ecologically and economically effective options were found and implemented. The ecological evaluation of processes is still an unsolved problem. Several evaluation models are tested on selected processes of the project.     

以绿化三维量分析植物群降解SO2的宏观效应

控制和降低城市上空ＳＯ２的环境浓度对于改善城市环境，促进城市生态的良性循环具有十分重要的意义。本文从上海市绿化三维量分布模型、与ＳＯ２浓度分布模型的相关分析入手，以季节变化作为对比因子，讨论了城市绿化植物群的数量及分布对城市上空ＳＯ２浓度分布的宏观影响；并据此提出了可有效地控制城市上空ＳＯ２浓度的绿地建设的基本原则。     

Sex‐specific and dose‐response relationships of urinary cobalt and molybdenum levels with glucose levels and insulin resistance in U.S. adults

Growing studies have linked metal exposure to diabetes risk. However, these studies had inconsistent results. We used a multiple linear regression model to investigate the sex-specific and dose-response associations between urinary metals (cobalt (Co) and molybdenum (Mo)) and diabetes-related indicators (fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and insulin) in a cross-sectional study based on the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The urinary metal concentrations of 1423 eligible individuals were stratified on the basis of the quartile distribution. Our results showed that the urinary Co level in males at the fourth quartile (Q4) was strongly correlated with increased FPG (β = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.17–1.04), HbA1c (β = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.09–0.54), insulin (β = 8.18, 95% CI: 2.84–13.52), and HOMA–IR (β = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.40–5.44) when compared with first quartile (Q1). High urinary Mo levels (Q4 vs. Q1) were associated with elevated FPG (β = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.17–0.75) and HbA1c (β = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.11–0.42) in the overall population. Positive linear dose-response associations were observed between urinary Co and insulin (P_nonlinear = 0.513) and HOMA–IR (P_nonlinear = 0.736) in males, as well as a positive linear dose-response relationship between urinary Mo and FPG (P_nonlinear = 0.826) and HbA1c (P_nonlinear = 0.376) in the overall population. Significant sex-specific and dose-response relationships were observed between urinary metals (Co and Mo) and diabetes-related indicators, and the potential mechanisms should be further investigated.     

Pulse cleaning flow models and numerical computation of candle ceramic filters

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区域环评中大气环境容量估算的研究进展

目前,在大气环境影响评价中,区域大气环境容量的研究是实施大气污染物总量控制的前提.文章综述了大气污染物区域环境容量的主要影响因素、用于其计算的空气质量模型以及大气环境容量研究的一般步骤.现阶段应用较广泛的大气环境容量的预测模型有A-P值法模型、箱模型、线性优化模型、ADMS模型及多种模型相结合的复合模式等,通过研究分析,提出了现阶段大气环境容量研究存在的主要问题及其有效的解决途径.