E-Readiness Among Male and Female Extension Officers in North-West Province,South Africa

E-readiness, as the inclination to benefit from information technology, among other digital facilitations, was examined among 169 extension officers selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected by a structured, face-validated questionnaire. E-readiness of extension officers was operationalized as a composite score of awareness, availability, accessibility, competencies, and importance of information and communication technology (ICT) tools. Data obtained were analyzed using means and standard deviation. Multiple linear regression was used to isolate the determinants of e-readiness for both male and female extension officers. Significant determinants of e-readiness include living in the job area (t = 2.35, p <.05), means of mobility (2.72), educational level (1.68), number of farmers covered (1.93), working experience (1.80), and age (?2.53).     

基于霍尔三维结构的土地整治信息组织模式

为揭示土地整治信息体系的特征,指导土地整治信息处理和交换,促进土地整治信息化建设,该文在对土地整治信息分类现状、要素构成和分类对象分析的基础上,考虑到土地整治信息来源多样、结构复杂等特点,分别从霍尔三维结构理论、项目管理理论和信息生态原理等角度探讨了土地整治信息的组织模式。按照稳定性、系统性、可扩延性、实用性原则,对3种组织模式下涵盖的信息进行了梳理,确定了用于分类的信息要素,结合信息要素的性质,建立了从属性维、信息维和时空维3个维度构建土地整治信息分类体系,并以土地整治规划为例进行了方法论证。研究表明该分类体系能够较为全面、系统地反映土地整治的信息全貌,揭示土地整治信息的层次与特征,对促进土地整治信息技术进步和管理方式转型,提高信息资源共享度和利用深度等具有参考和借鉴意义。     

Framework for participatory assessments and implementation of global environmental conventions at the community level

Participation by local communities in the assessment and monitoring of efforts to implement global environmental conventions (GECs), such as Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), is a topic of growing interest worldwide. Previous implementation efforts were constrained by the lack of a methodological framework that integrates local knowledge and ecological methods. This study, conducted with assistance from Maasai herders in northern Tanzania, evaluated a socio‐economic and ecological framework for integrating local communities into assessments of the GECs. To reach decisions related to CBD, herders used livestock grazing suitability (GS) and proxy indicators of biodiversity, while to reach decisions related to CCD herders used potential grazing capacity (PGC) related to the risk of degradation. We proposed criteria for indicator selection and developed step‐wise research methods to assess performance of the indicators at spatial scales. The ecological and anthropogenic indicators were then analysed using a correlation matrix to evaluate management decisions. We showed that changes in ecological indicators influenced herder decisions. The anthropogenic indicators for potential were more sensitive to changes in soil degradation, range conditions and trends; while the decisions related to GS were more sensitive to the majority of the proxy indicators of biodiversity. The decisions reflected the potential responses to management, which had implications for CBD and CCD. Because decisions constitute a multiplicity of activities, the responses by local communities could be related to the potential role played by each indicator in the implementation of the convention at the local level. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of non-cropped landscape diversity on spatial dynamics of farmland birds in intensive farming systems

Increasing habitats diversity in agricultural landscapes has been proposed as a key measure for reversing the decline of farmland biodiversity in Europe. However, indicators used for assessing such a potential compensation effect usually only rely on species diversity and abundance while ignoring variations in species-specific vulnerability. The extent to which habitat diversity may reverse the decline of specialist species in Europe to farming systems is thus still unclear. In this study, we investigate whether the effect of non-cropped habitat diversity on farmland birds’ occurrences was dependent on species’ specialization for habitats. In particular, we focused on the relative effects of non-cropped habitat diversity on species’ abilities to persist or to colonize new vacant areas. We used a capture-recapture statistical framework to study the spatial dynamics of 20 farmland bird species in France monitored from 2001 to 2007. We found that non-cropped landscape diversity reduces both the probabilities that a species becomes extinct locally and that a species colonizes new vacant areas, and the occupancy rate. Although this suggests a possible stabilizing effect of the surrounding habitat diversity on species occurrence in farming systems, the occupancy was only weakly affected. Moreover, we found that the most specialist species were the more negatively affected by this landscape diversity in terms of colonization abilities. We argue that accounting for the differences in habitat specialization among farmland species can improve conservation policies dedicated to the management of landscape diversity.     

农户参与水土保持的福利效应:概念、内涵与评价指标框架

[目的] 系统梳理农户参与水土保持的福利效应概念、内涵与评价指标框架,为水土保持福利效应的综合评价提供依据。[方法] 结合已有研究报道、相关标准等,阐释水土保持福利效应的概念与内涵,厘清水土保持效益与水土保持福利效应的逻辑关系,梳理水土保持福利效应的评价尺度并提出福利效应评价指标框架。[结果] 水土保持福利效应具有评价客体明确、价值可货币化、与参与程度高度相关、个体差异和群体一致等内涵特征。水土保持福利效应评价是对水土保持效益评估的深化和拓展,二者是被包含与包含的关系。水土保持福利效应评价应立足于水土保持效益综合评价,其指标框架包含经济福利、社会福利和生态福利等多个要素。[结论] 当前人们对农户参与水土保持的福利效应关注不够。水土保持福利效应的评价着眼于政策性水土保持工程,其评价指标和方法未形成统一认识,还需进一步研究水土保持福利效应的理论及方法体系,以便为新时代水土保持建设提供决策支持。     

电控液驱车辆加速策略研究

为了使液驱混合动力车辆在加速过程中满足驾驶员意图和车辆动力学的要求,该文针对一种应用定压网络液压马达控制系统的电控液驱车辆,进行了加速驱动控制策略的研究;提出了初始压力调节方案和命令速度调节方案2种加速控制策略;在建立系统数学模型、设计加速驱动控制器的基础上,利用MATLAB/SIMULINK对系统进行了加速性能和燃油经济性能仿真;仿真结果表明,本文所提出的2种加速控制策略能够满足驾驶员的加速意图要求,其中命令速度调节方案具有较好的燃油经济性能,初始压力调节方案具有较好的加速动力性能,研究结果可为液驱混合动力车辆加速控制提供参考。     

A biodiversity monitoring framework for practical conservation of grasslands and shrublands

Comprehensive and standardized biodiversity monitoring schemes are needed to build scientifically sound decision-making tools for biodiversity conservation. Based on a thorough review of published literature, we propose a novel biodiversity monitoring framework to unify conservation theory and practice. The framework is built on the inter-connection among different types of indicators, and on the systematic articulation of their relationships into seven indicator approaches. Semi-natural grasslands and shrublands in Europe, which still lack a common biodiversity monitoring scheme, are used as a model for the framework. Different biotic indicators have been widely used to estimate the state of biodiversity, but we integrate these with biodiversity drivers, i.e. factors driving changes in biodiversity, to track biodiversity response to environmental changes. Precise information on biodiversity drivers (e.g. past and present management or disturbance regimes, environmental conditions, landscape patterns) has an effective indicator value, but this is often not taken into account in monitoring schemes. Our framework can be used to detect gaps in available data, translate indicator systems into practical conservation, identify combined sets of indicators to monitor biodiversity in target habitats, and recognize most suitable surrogates when information for some indicators is missing. We also take into account the effect of regional species pools in order to consider large-scale historical and biogeographical processes. We propose general guidelines to create validate and launch biodiversity monitoring frameworks for target habitats in the light of current examples of biodiversity conservation schemes (e.g. Natura 2000 in Europe).     

The perception of farm safety and prevention issues among the Old Order Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

The purpose of this study was to explore farm safety and prevention issues within an Old Order Amish community. A qualitative ethnographic approach was used to explore perceptions of Amish adults as to the issues related to farm safety and prevention for their children. Access to this community was facilitated through two contact people who were well known in the community. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and recorded as field notes. Data analysis was done by looking for themes based on the questions asked about safety and prevention. From this analysis, four themes were found related to safety and prevention. They included education of the parents, education of the children, home and farm preventive measures, and enforcement of established rules. In addition, childhood readiness was found to be another important issue related to farm safety. Childhood readiness was found to have three themes, developmental appropriateness, parental control and supervision, and birth order of the child. Data from this study suggested that farm safety is a concern of the Old Order Amish in Lancaster County. Their perceptions of safety and prevention issues centered on the incidents that have occurred and are considered dangerous. It is important to look at the identified safety and prevention and childhood readiness themes to identify the most beneficial approaches for the Amish to promote safety on their farms.     

Factors influencing public preferences for invasive alien species management

Invasive species research has traditionally focused on the ecological aspects of invasions and their threats to biodiversity. Few studies have incorporated social dimensions of invasive alien species (IAS) management. In this study, we surveyed visitors (N = 1166) to Cumberland Island National Seashore, GA, USA, to measure their knowledge of, attitudes toward, and preferences for various IAS management options. Multinomial logistic regression, two-step cluster analysis, and the Potential for Conflict Index were used to determine factors that predict support for IAS control, identify subgroups of visitors with unique management preferences, and evaluate the level of consensus among these distinct groups. Results showed that, although knowledge and perceived threat scores were related to management preferences, environmental attitude orientations were the best indicators of support for IAS control. Absolute ecocentric visitors (typically younger, less educated individuals with less experience in parks) believed that all living things have a right to coexist without disruption and favored a hands-off management approach. Adaptive ecocentric visitors (typically older, more educated individuals with more experience in parks) believed that some degree of human interference is necessary to maintain ecosystem integrity and favored hands-on management. Despite these different perspectives, adaptive on-site control of invasive species was viewed as the most acceptable and least controversial management option across all visitor subgroups. This study may inform IAS management practices by providing a framework for identifying stakeholder characteristics and synthesizing public preferences to minimize conflict and highlight ecologically beneficial and socially acceptable outcomes.     

The challenge of monitoring biodiversity in payment for environmental service interventions

Payments for environmental services (PES) aim to improve the supply of environmental services by making payments to service providers, which are conditional on the provision of those services. Payments cannot be conditional unless the service can be effectively monitored, making monitoring of service provision a central feature of PES. We introduce a framework for designing monitoring programmes in PES schemes for biodiversity conservation. We suggest that decisions must be made concerning the indicators to be used (e.g. species, threats or positive actions), how they will be monitored (e.g. using ground-based or remote-sensed data) and how the monitoring information will be used to differentiate payments (e.g. trends over time, performance relative to neighbouring sites, performance against a target). We then use this framework to examine the feasibility of monitoring species and threat indicators in a community-based biodiversity payment scheme in Menabe, Madagascar. We find that detecting population changes, differences between sites, or whether a target has been met is only feasible for the most common indicators, suggesting that it may not be possible to base payments on the species conservationists are most interested in. If payments need to be based on relatively common indicators, threat indicators may be more appropriate than common species indicators due to a stronger relationship to the service of interest (presence of a rare species). It is, however, possible to incorporate information from rare indicators using accumulation curves to compare between sites. This study highlights the impact of indicator choice on the monitoring effort required in a biodiversity PES. We urge caution in the design of payment schemes and suggest it can be detrimental to structure a scheme around an indicator that cannot be effectively monitored.     

Flavor characterization of ripened cod roe by gas chromatography, sensory analysis, and electronic nose

Characterization of the flavors of ripened roe products is of importance to establish a basis for a standardized product. Flavor profiles of commercially processed ripened roe from Iceland and Norway were studied by sensory analysis, gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and an electronic nose to characterize the headspace of ripened roe. Sensory analysis showed that ripened roe odor and flavor in combination with caviar flavor and whey/caramel-like odor give the overall positive effect of the complex characteristic roe flavor. Analysis of volatiles by GC-MS and electronic nose confirmed the presence of aroma compounds contributing to the typical ripening and spoilage flavors detected by the sensory analysis. Methional, 1-octen-3-ol, and 2,6-nonadienal were the most important compounds contributing to ripened roe odor. Spoilage flavors were partly contributed by 3-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methylbutanal, which can be measured by the electronic nose and are suggested as quality indicators for objectively assessing the ripening of roe. Principal component analysis of the overall data showed that GC-O correlated well with sensory evaluation and the electronic nose measurements.     

基于财务指标的选股系统设计与实现

为了找出具有投资价值和投资安全性较高的股票,研究提出了以Joseph D·Piotroski教授的选股策略为实例,结合EXCEL、JAVA编程技术的解决方案,即基于财务指标的选股系统。系统根据用户的选择对相关财务指标进行打分计算,通过得分情况筛选股票。该系统通过选择不同的财务指标组合,达到灵活创建用户股票池的目的。     

基于3S技术的区域性耕地资源变化影响评价模式研究

针对目前尚未形成国内外公认的耕地资源变化影响评价方法,该文提出基于耕地生产能力评价指标体系、耕地质量评价指标体系以及耕地自然等和利用等指标体系的3种区域性耕地资源评价指标体系,确定3种基于3S技术的耕地资源变化影响评价模式.与基于粮食单产划分耕地等级进行评价的传统方法,共同构成了区域性耕地资源变化影响评价的4种方案.还分析了4种评价方案的思想基础、特点及实用性的差异.并以东北地区为案例,利用耕地自然等和利用等指标体系方法,分析了1993～2003年东北耕地变化对粮食生产能力的影响.此外,提出作物种植结构以及作物品种变化对粮食生产能力影响评价的建议.为区域性耕地资源变化影响评价方法体系提供参考和借鉴.     

山区乡村多功能发展与乡村聚落演变的耦合机理

探究山区乡村功能多元化与乡村聚落演变的耦合关系,对山区乡村振兴和乡村可持续发展具有重要意义。通过构建二者的耦合协调综合评价指标体系,利用耦合协调度模型和地理探测器等方法,以三峡库区腹地奉节县为研究区,定量探究了乡村功能多元化与乡村聚落演变的耦合关系及驱动机制,进而提出了相关建议。结果表明：1）研究区乡村功能多元化和乡村聚落演变综合指数呈上升趋势;两系统耦合协调度逐年增长,失调乡镇数量减少,在空间上呈现“西低东高,南低北高”的发展态势。2）乡村功能多元化与乡村聚落演变耦合协调度具有明显的空间集聚特征,高高集聚区域主要集中在永安街道等中心城镇的郊区。3）基于功能多元化综合指数与聚落演变综合指数的增减关系,该文将各乡镇归纳为活力型、衰退型、转型型和传统型4种耦合模式。4）人口密度、人均GDP、人类活动强度等社会经济因素是主要驱动因子,各因子间的交互作用大部分为非线性增强和双因子增强。该文的研究方法和研究结果可为其他地区进行相关研究以及制定差异化的村落振兴方案提供参考。     

路基遭受泥石流灾害的易损性评价

[目的]研究路基易损性,为泥石流地区路基防治等级的确定和路基承灾能力评估提供一种有效的方法。[方法]根据路基遭受泥石流灾害破坏的情况,并结合前人对易损性的研究成果,提出路基易损性的概念。根据路基承灾特点和泥石流致灾特征,从泥石流作用效应和路基结构抗力2方面系统分析路基的地质选址、设计、施工、维修养护及泥石流致灾因子对路基易损程度的影响,选取路基易损性评价指标,确定路基易损性评价指标体系,并借助于层次分析法确定各级指标权重,然后采用岭型分布函数确定指标隶属度,最后运用模糊综合评价法建立路基易损性评价模型,进行路基易损性评估。[结果]该方法对公路一处路基进行易损性评价,结果为中度易损性。[结论]评价结果与现场实际情况相符,证实了该方法的可行性。     

Aggregates and gel network structure of globin hydrolysates

A gel with excellent functional properties was prepared successfully using the hydrolysates of globin. In the present study, the structures of intermediate aggregates and gel network were observed directly with an electronic microscope. It was shown clearly that the intermediate aggregates were in a thin rod shape with a length of 130--140 nm, which was in good accordance with the results of the light scattering obtained in a previous study. The diameter of intermediate aggregates was 4--5 nm. Each unit of the intermediate aggregate was composed of beta-chain and peptide beta-1 in a ratio of 1:1. Its molecular weight was 26922 Da, and it had a diameter of 4.1 nm. The thin rod-shaped aggregates were formed with units through the hydrophobic interaction. The length of intermediate aggregate was >30--33 times the diameter. Furthermore, the cross-linked structure formed by peptide alpha-1 and the thin rod-shaped aggregates was also confirmed by the photography of the electronic microscope. These results supported the model proposed in previous papers as proper to depict exactly the formation and structure of the gel network of globin hydrolysates.     

耕地土壤健康及其评价探讨

开展面向耕地的土壤健康评价,对保障我国粮食安全和生态文明建设具有紧迫的现实意义.针对相关研究中土壤健康概念抽象、评价尺度杂糅等普遍性问题,及欧美主流技术路线中的局限性,文章从概念解构的视角进行了探讨,提出研究框架,以期为我国耕地土壤健康评价工作提供参考.首先,通过构建基于土壤功能与胁迫的土壤健康观,从理论方面将耕地土壤...     

中国循环农业评价体系研究进展

循环农业的研究与实践是当前中国农业领域的热点, 如何构建一套合理的循环农业评价体系是促进循环农业发展关键问题之一。本文梳理了近年来中国循环农业评价研究的概况, 重点分析了中国循环农业评价的内容与指标体系、评价方法等。现有循环农业评价研究主要有两类: 一是宏观层面针对国家和地区循环农业发展的综合评价, 从经济与社会发展、资源减量投入、资源循环利用和资源环境安全4个方面构建指标体系评价该区域循环农业所带来的社会、经济和生态效益, 或循环农业的有效性, 此类研究占绝大部分; 另一类是针对工业园区和企业或具体产业模式、农场, 采用系统动力学、能值、生命周期评价等系统分析方法评价不同模式的物质循环与能量流动及其对环境影响, 目前这类研究的内容和方法存在较大差异, 需要进一步探讨和深化。综合分析认为, 要构建评价指标体系, 需要在进一步明确循环农业的内涵和原理的基础上, 选择有针对性的评价指标。不同的循环农业评价指标体系因为其服务的对象及目标不同, 其构成也有所不同。针对评价对象, 在国家、区域层面和园区/企业层面的评价重点应该有所区别, 同时对于微观的循环农业发展模式/技术层面, 其评价的内容和指标也应该区别于宏观层面的评价。有针对性地构建适于不同层面的循环农业评价体系, 才能为制定科学合理循环农业发展规划提供参考。     

基于DPSIR概念框架的区域水土保持效益评价新思路

 定量评价区域水土保持效益并得到综合质量指数,便于区域水土保持效益的纵向或横向比较,进而为水土保持技术的提升和区域生态环境建设的科学决策服务。DPSIR(driving force-pressure-state-impact-response)概念框架有助于全面分析水土保持的"驱动力"、"压力"、"状态"、"影响"和"响应",有助于理解水土保持社会、经济和环境各因素的作用过程以及彼此之间的因果关系。在介绍DPSIR概念框架的基础上,根据区域水土保持效益评价指标体系构建的主导原则,初步提出水土保持效益评价的DPSIR框架,进而提出水土保持效益评价从基础数据到综合指数集成的新思路。     

面向农村微能网的评价指标构建及应用

为了客观的评价农村微能网规划结果的优缺点,该研究建立农村微能网的规划评价指标体系,该评价指标体系包含可靠性、经济性、环保性和效益性4个一级指标、7个二级指标和14个三级指标。首先运用熵权法对农村微能网各规划方案进行客观评价,得到各规划方案的客观评价值,然后根据项目所在地的环境条件、项目资金情况和项目投资方需求不同,运用专家评价法建立专家评价指标权重表,将熵权法与专家评价法相结合,得到适合微能网项目实际开发需要的评价指标的权重分布,优选出适合项目投资方的微能网规划方案。算例结果表明,采用熵权法得到农村微能网3个规划方案的客观评价值分别为1.32、1.14和2.47,得到具有供能装置、能量转换装置和冷-热-电多形式储能装置的方案3为农村微能网最优规划方案。采用专家评价法与熵权法相结合的主客观评价方法对农村微能网规划方案进行综合评价,如果侧重关注环保性指标,则未规划储能装置的方案2为最优选择,如果侧重关注可靠性、效益性和经济性指标,则具有供能装置、能量转换装置和冷-热-电多形式储能装置的方案3是最优选择,证明了该研究所构建的微能网评价体系可以对微能网规划方案实现有效评价,为微能网的建设规划提供有益的参考。