Public opinion and the environment: Ecology,the coastal zone,and public policy

Abstract

In a public opinion survey conducted in Santa Barbara county, California, respondents were interviewed regarding their feelings on coastal zone development, within a context of broader environmental and political issues.

A high degree of expressed concern for the environment was found, but the data also indicate a widespread reluctance to allocate a greater share of personal income to improve environmental quality.

Among the issues dealt with are citizen views on environmental problems, the effectiveness of government in the environmental field, offshore oil drilling, and coastal zone development.

The results show that on each of the issues analyzed, a person's education, age, and the extent of his political participation are the major factors which determine his concern for the environment. Additional variables appear to have some significance in determining attitudes toward local environmental projects and perceptions of government.

Offered are implications of the findings for the future of organized action on environmental problems.     

海运教育与培训以及操船模拟器的国际展望

着重对操船模拟器的作用、技术条件、质量保证进行了专业分析,同时阐述了其在海运教育与培训中的作用,以及这两个领域的国际协作前景。     

Error quantification of a high resolution coupled hydrodynamic-ecosystem coastal-ocean model: Part3, validation with Continuous Plankton Recorder data

Data collected during the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey has been used to validate a three-dimensional hydrodynamic ecosystem model simulation of the North-west European Shelf for the years 1988–89. The CPR time series is unique to the North Atlantic region as a validation tool. Data were extracted from the model to correspond with those collected by the CPR survey, and both the model and survey plankton data were standardised to allow the comparison of model biomass with survey counts. Simple linear regression and absolute error maps provide a qualitative evaluation of spatio-temporal model performance of simulated diatoms, flagellates, total phytoplankton and omnivorous mesozooplankton. Comparisons of z-scores indicate that the model reproduces the main pelagic seasonal features, and there is good correlation between magnitudes of these features with respect to standard deviations from a long-term mean. The model is replicating up to 62% of the mesozooplankton seasonality across the domain, with variable results for the phytoplankton. There are, however, differences in the timing of patterns in plankton seasonality. The validation exercise has highlighted that the spring diatom bloom in the model is too early, suggesting the need to reparameterise the response of phytoplankton to changing light levels in the model. Errors in the north and west of the domain imply that model turbulence and vertical density structure need to be improved to more accurately capture plankton dynamics.     

A two-dimensional response to a tropical storm on the Gulf of Mexico shelf

Surface current data from drifting buoys and remotely sensed wind data recorded over the continental shelf in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico during the passage of tropical storm Josephine in October 1996 are examined. Drifter data show the existence of a strong surface jet (velocities reaching 1 m s⁻¹) that moves up the west Florida shelf and westward along the Louisiana–Texas shelf, and lasts for nearly 1 week. The coastal jet occurs during an intense synoptic scale wind event where wind speeds reach 15 m s⁻¹. A simple force balance and statistical analysis are performed to assess the role of strong wind forcing. The primary balance shows an Ekman-type current. The role of local acceleration is greatest when winds are directed along bathymetry. A simple two-dimensional strongly forced shelf response model developed from the linear steady-state momentum equations also indicates larger along-shore currents due to both Ekman-type forcing by cross-shore winds and a cross-shore pressure gradient arising from conservation of mass. Model parameters fit empirically are within 15% of theoretical values. The simple model explains 30% and 46% of the variance in the observed along-shore and cross-shore surface currents, respectively.     

Shipbuilding trends in response to environmental issues

This paper offers an overview about how societal issues and environmental challenges will influence shipbuilding in the near future. It begins with an evaluation of societal developments and refers to globalization and climate change. The paper then continues to assess the impact of these developments on ship design and operation, and considers how the adverse effects of shipping in this context can be reduced. In this respect, topics like emission control and scrapping of ships are considered.     

Prediction of ship brittle fracture casualty rates by a probabilistic method

It has been proposed that grade A should be replaced with a tougher steel for ship construction. This recommendation is not supported by casualty statistics. Brittle fractures have decreased from once every 10 ship years at the time of the Liberty ships, to once every 100 ship years in the 1950s, and now stand at around once every 10,000 ship years. The authors have developed a probabilistic fracture mechanics approach indexed to the Charpy 27 Joule temperature, T_27J. This is used here to analyse the Liberty ship failures. Comparison with a databank of T_27J values for grade A steel spanning 1920 to 1995 suggests that the Liberty ship steel was unusually brittle. The probability analysis shows good agreement between predicted and observed fracture casualty rates for the Liberty ships and helps explain why brittle fractures are now uncommon in grade A steel ships.     

不同类型逆变器功率损耗和输出电压品质的比较

重点对不同类型逆变器馈电的传动系统的功率损耗和输出电压品质进行了比较,逆变器类型包括采用dv/dt或正弦波滤波器的硬开关逆变器以及谐振或准谐振逆变器.谐振逆变器以ZCS谐振逆变器为代表,准谐振逆变器以直流环节采用高频变压器的ZVS准谐振逆变器为代表,给出了仿真和试验结果.在PSPICE环境下,模型仿真几乎全部使用实物.数字仿真时,采用异步电机和电缆组成的高频模型.实验测量是在现有逆变器实验模型上进行的,此模型专用于检测带有dv/dt(或正弦波)滤波器选件的逆变器功能.测量时使用了LEM Norma D6100功率分析仪和一台基于PC平台的功率分析仪,并采用多功能插件NI-Daq 6024E和在LabVIEW环境下开发的控制软件.     

Study and application of calculation method for temporary consolidation beside piers in pc cantilever casting beamEI北大核心

Research purposes: The temporary consolidation at top piers is regarded as rigid body in continuous girder cantilever construction. And the calculation theory and method are mature. Whereas, temporary consolidation beside piers should be regarded as elastic body. And the calculation methods about it are insufficient. Through the mechanical analysis of temporary consolidation beside piers, a simple calculation method is proposed and can be applied in various construction conditions. Research conclusions: (1) Simplify the temporary consolidation beside piers as elastic three fulcrums model which is consistent with practical force-baring conditions. (2) Calculation method based on elastic three fulcrums model can be well applied in various construction conditions. (3) Calculation of axial forces temporary consolidation beside piers is well related to their tension-compression stiffness, and we should choose calculation formula based on their tension-compression stiffness and force-baring conditions. (4) The calculation method proposed can be the base and accordance for design of temporary consolidation beside piers in PC cantilever casting girders.     

大秦线353130B型轴承故障统计与分析

对大秦线C80系列运煤专用敞车353130B型轴承在运用和检修中发现的故障进行了统计分析,研究了导致轴承早期失效的原因,并提出了有针对性的改进措施。