Profound understanding on the diversity of local residents’willingness to pay(WTP)for ecosystem services(ESs)may aid evaluation of policy impacts by uncovering trade-offs and synergies for achieving sustainable envir...Profound understanding on the diversity of local residents’willingness to pay(WTP)for ecosystem services(ESs)may aid evaluation of policy impacts by uncovering trade-offs and synergies for achieving sustainable environmental resource management.However,the reasons for the spatial preference heterogeneity of WTP are still unclear.In this study,an extensive survey with 4,580 residents in the Yangtze River Middle Reaches Megalopolis(YRMRM),central China,was carried out to investigate the public’s WTP to maintain and improve ESs.We identified key influencing factors and explored how they shaped the preference heterogeneity in WTP by random forest model and surface fitting method.Our results showed that 81.4% of residents reported WTP for ESs greater than zero.Water supply,waste treatment,food supply and raw material supply were the preferred ESs for residents.Living environment factors(i.e.,extent of farmland,water and forest near the residence)were found as the key drivers of WTP.Proximity to farmland,water and forests resulted in high WTP values for a series of specific ESs.The reasons for the heterogeneity of WTP are(1)the difference in proximity to farmland,water and forest(i.e.,the contributor to ESs),(2)the divergence of local residents’preferences for ESs.This study disclosed the heterogeneity and causes of public preferences in YRMRM,which could help policy and decision makers to develop eco-compensation initiatives towards conservative and sustainable use of the environmental resources.展开更多
As of January 31,2024,China had concluded mutual visa exemption agreements covering different types of passports with 157 countries,reached agreements or arrangements on simplified visa procedures with 44 countries,an...As of January 31,2024,China had concluded mutual visa exemption agreements covering different types of passports with 157 countries,reached agreements or arrangements on simplified visa procedures with 44 countries,and enjoyed comprehensive mutual visa exemptions with 23 countries including Thailand,Singapore,Maldives,and the United Arab Emirates.展开更多
In recent yea rs,t raditiona l offline supermarkets are facing big challenges,and warehouse membership superma rkets(hereinafter referred to as membership supermarkets)are quickly gaining p opu l a r it y.Ma ny t r ad...In recent yea rs,t raditiona l offline supermarkets are facing big challenges,and warehouse membership superma rkets(hereinafter referred to as membership supermarkets)are quickly gaining p opu l a r it y.Ma ny t r ad it iona l supermarkets have become membership supermarkets,and even many retail enterprises have entered this field.展开更多
CHINA’S visa-free policy keeps expanding and the country has entered a new era of welcoming visitors from an increasing global reach.By January 1,2024,China had inked mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countri...CHINA’S visa-free policy keeps expanding and the country has entered a new era of welcoming visitors from an increasing global reach.By January 1,2024,China had inked mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countries,simplified visa procedures with 44 countries,and enjoyed comprehensive mutual visa exemptions with 23 countries,including Thailand,Singapore,the Maldives,and the United Arab Emirates.展开更多
In recent years, as the exploration practices extend into more complicated formations, conventional well log interpretation has often shown its inaccuracy and limitations in identifying hydrocarbons. The Permian Wuton...In recent years, as the exploration practices extend into more complicated formations, conventional well log interpretation has often shown its inaccuracy and limitations in identifying hydrocarbons. The Permian Wutonggou Formation hosts typical clastic reservoirs in the Eastern Junggar Basin. The sophisticated lithology characteristics cause complex pore structures and fluid properties. These all finally cause low well testing agreement rate using conventional methods. Eleven years＇ recent statistics show that 12 out of 15 water layers have been incorrectly identified as being oil or oil/water layers by conventional well log interpretation. This paper proposes a methodology called intelligent prediction and identification system （IPIS）. Firstly, parameters reflecting lithological, petrophysical and electrical responses which are greatly related to reservoir fluids have been selected carefully. They are shale content （Vsh）, numbered rock type （RN）, porosity （φ）, permeability （K）, true resistivity （RT） and spontaneous-potential （SP）. Secondly, Vsh, φ and K are predicted from well logs through artificial neural networks （ANNs）. Finally, all the six parameters are input into a neuro-fuzzy inference machine （NFIM） to get fluids identification results. Eighteen new layers of 145.3 m effective thickness were examined by IPIS. There is full agreement with well testing results. This shows the system＇s accuracy and effectiveness.展开更多
This paper describes the development of a knowledgebased system (KBS) for determining whether or not, and under what conditions, a bank Ioan officer should grant a business loan to a company. The prototype system deve...This paper describes the development of a knowledgebased system (KBS) for determining whether or not, and under what conditions, a bank Ioan officer should grant a business loan to a company. The prototype system developed focuses on what is bank loans risks management, how to prevent risk by the analysis of the ability of paying back loans. The paper makes the structural analysis involved in the system's decision situation, the structured situation diagram or model, dependency diagram and the document needed by the KBS prototype system thus are developed. Through testing the samples from loan business, the quality for the analysis of the ability of paying back loans can be effectively evaluated by the KBS prototype system.展开更多
Introduction: Several Nigerians are completely denied access to adequate health care because of cultural, temporal and financial factors with inequity. Objectives: To ascertain the household perceptions, willingness t...Introduction: Several Nigerians are completely denied access to adequate health care because of cultural, temporal and financial factors with inequity. Objectives: To ascertain the household perceptions, willingness to pay, benefit package preferences, and health systems readiness for Insurance Scheme. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 400 heads of households and 43 health workers in Enugu, Southern Nigeria. Results: Awareness of NHIS among the heads of household was 56.8%, while it was 86% among the health workers. Awareness of NHIS among heads of households was significantly associated to both educational level (X<sup>2</sup> = 16.083, P = 0.001), and occupation (X<sup>2</sup> = 5.694, P = 0.017). More males (61.6%) had correct perceptions of NHIS compared to females (58.6%), but not statistically significant (X<sup>2 </sup>= 0.336, P = 0.562). Majority of households respondents 89% are willing to pay for NHIS. Willingness to pay was significantly associated to occupation (X<sup>2</sup> = 5.169, df = 1, P = 0.023), but willingness to pay mandatory 5% premium was not significantly associated to occupation (X<sup>2</sup> = 0.884, P = 347). Only 11.6% of the health facilities are enlisted as providers in the scheme. Conclusion: Willingness to pay was high, but majority are not ready to pay 5% premium of their earnings. Awareness creation programmes should be improved for the public, and more health facilities enlisted for wider coverage.展开更多
The main focus of study is to characterize lower and upper cretaceous carbonate deposits with Low Resistivity Pay, in Persian Gulf. Four oil reservoirs in the Cretaceous including the Zubair, Buwaib, Shuaiba and Khati...The main focus of study is to characterize lower and upper cretaceous carbonate deposits with Low Resistivity Pay, in Persian Gulf. Four oil reservoirs in the Cretaceous including the Zubair, Buwaib, Shuaiba and Khatiyah Formations of Southern fields have been analyzed. Here is a look at that to determine main factors on decreasing resistivity in pay zone. In some intervals resistivity responses reach less than 6 to 1 ohm·m. Significant hydrocarbon accumulations are “hidden” in low resistivity Pay zone, (LRPZ). LRPZ reservoirs have been found in some formations in Persian Gulf. Causes of LRPZ reservoirs on the basis of experimental analysis include clay-coated grains, carbonate with interstitial dispersed clay. On the other side Smectite and Kaolinite of main clays types have high CEC and greater impact on lowering resistivity. Micritization and Pyritization of digenetic process have noticeable impact on LRPZ. It is mentioned that Lønøy method applied to address pore throat sizes which contain Inter crystalline porosity, Chalky Limestone, Mudstone micro porosity. Pore systems are classified at class 2 and 3 Lucia and pore size varies from 0.5 to 4 micron. NMR Core and Log results show different pore size distribution. NMR core and MRIL results explain that decreasing of resistivity in pay zone is related to texture and grain size variation not being existence of moved water. Irreducible water estimate for this reservoir was between 30% and 50%. T2 cut off estimates, for defining irreducible water saturation, 115 ms.展开更多
This study estimated tourists’Willingness to Pay(WTP)per day for recreation services in Nyerere National Park(NNP)and compared these values with daily travel costs that are incurred by tourists to visit NNP in order ...This study estimated tourists’Willingness to Pay(WTP)per day for recreation services in Nyerere National Park(NNP)and compared these values with daily travel costs that are incurred by tourists to visit NNP in order to inform whether recreation resources in the park are overvalued or undervalued.The study revealed that tourists’WTP per day for recreation services was estimated at$237.4 and$1521 for resident and non-resident tourists,respectively.The estimated tourists’WTP values exceed the daily travel costs currently incurred by tourists,which are$201.04 and$1517.97 for resident and non-resident tourists,respectively.This indicates that tourists are willing to spend more to enjoy recreation services in NNP,which signifies that recreation resources in NNP are slightly undervalued.In addition,the findings disclosed that the largest share of tourist daily travel expenses is allocated to transportation services,and very little is paid to the park as a conservation fee.It was revealed that out of the daily travel expenses incurred by non-resident and resident tourists,only 4.62%and 2.23%are respectively paid directly to NNP as conservation fees.This study considers that allocation is not very fair;thus,NNP,in collaboration with TANAPA,needs to adjust the current entrance or conservation fee and reduce the transportation costs charged by tourist companies.The travel costs incurred by tourists,age,education,monthly income,site visited,substitute site,and quality of park were identified as significant factors in influencing tourists’WTP for recreation services in NNP.Thus,policies oriented to reduce tourists’transportation costs and improve the quality of national parks would attract more tourists to NNP.展开更多
The importance of valuing environmental resources,especially in ecotourism sites,has become increasingly important over the last two decades.Ecotourism is now considered as an important source of livelihood of local s...The importance of valuing environmental resources,especially in ecotourism sites,has become increasingly important over the last two decades.Ecotourism is now considered as an important source of livelihood of local stakeholders in backward regions.Therefore,the preservation of ecotourism sites through community participation seems very important to maintain continued flow of tourists.This study aimed at recognizing the importance of community participation for the preservation of ecotourism sites.For this,this study executed a survey based on non-probability sampling in two ecotourism sites(Garpanchkot and Baranti)covering 100 respondents in Purulia District,West Bengal of India.The central issue of this study was to assess the tendency of community participation for the conservation of ecotourism sites and find the optimum condition for offering participatory labour time.This study showed that the participation of young people is high,and the majority of respondents are aware of the importance in protecting ecotourism sites.Because respondents were too poor to offer money,the contingent valuation method(CVM)was used to elicit their willingness to pay(WTP)participatory labour time for the conservation of ecotourism sites.Respondents’age,income,education level,caste,and their perceived environmental quality had significant relationship with their WTP participatory labour time by applying the ordinary least square(OLS)model.It was found that the mean WTP participatory labour time of each respondent in a month is approximately 3.64 h.The significance of this study is that community participation can improve the sense of belonging,trust,and credibility of ecotourism sites,making them more appreciative of the value and protection of these sites.展开更多
Based on the questionnaire survey,this article reveals the effects of the current university compensation system on faculties in three psychological aspects,namely performance exam effect,work pressure and endurance c...Based on the questionnaire survey,this article reveals the effects of the current university compensation system on faculties in three psychological aspects,namely performance exam effect,work pressure and endurance capability.The results indicate that university faculties have a strong pursuit for self-fulfillment and successful career.Most of them love their teaching career and wish to further improve the fairness and efficiency of university management system by deepening the management systemic reform.Multi-leveled,multi-purposed and multi-modeled managing strategy of university compensation system is proved to be the main methods of improving fairness and efficiency.展开更多
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Plan,Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China(Grant No.2020YFC1908704)the Innovative Foundation of Huazhong University of Science and Technology(Grant No.2018KFYYXJJ133).
文摘Profound understanding on the diversity of local residents’willingness to pay(WTP)for ecosystem services(ESs)may aid evaluation of policy impacts by uncovering trade-offs and synergies for achieving sustainable environmental resource management.However,the reasons for the spatial preference heterogeneity of WTP are still unclear.In this study,an extensive survey with 4,580 residents in the Yangtze River Middle Reaches Megalopolis(YRMRM),central China,was carried out to investigate the public’s WTP to maintain and improve ESs.We identified key influencing factors and explored how they shaped the preference heterogeneity in WTP by random forest model and surface fitting method.Our results showed that 81.4% of residents reported WTP for ESs greater than zero.Water supply,waste treatment,food supply and raw material supply were the preferred ESs for residents.Living environment factors(i.e.,extent of farmland,water and forest near the residence)were found as the key drivers of WTP.Proximity to farmland,water and forests resulted in high WTP values for a series of specific ESs.The reasons for the heterogeneity of WTP are(1)the difference in proximity to farmland,water and forest(i.e.,the contributor to ESs),(2)the divergence of local residents’preferences for ESs.This study disclosed the heterogeneity and causes of public preferences in YRMRM,which could help policy and decision makers to develop eco-compensation initiatives towards conservative and sustainable use of the environmental resources.
文摘As of January 31,2024,China had concluded mutual visa exemption agreements covering different types of passports with 157 countries,reached agreements or arrangements on simplified visa procedures with 44 countries,and enjoyed comprehensive mutual visa exemptions with 23 countries including Thailand,Singapore,Maldives,and the United Arab Emirates.
文摘In recent yea rs,t raditiona l offline supermarkets are facing big challenges,and warehouse membership superma rkets(hereinafter referred to as membership supermarkets)are quickly gaining p opu l a r it y.Ma ny t r ad it iona l supermarkets have become membership supermarkets,and even many retail enterprises have entered this field.
文摘CHINA’S visa-free policy keeps expanding and the country has entered a new era of welcoming visitors from an increasing global reach.By January 1,2024,China had inked mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countries,simplified visa procedures with 44 countries,and enjoyed comprehensive mutual visa exemptions with 23 countries,including Thailand,Singapore,the Maldives,and the United Arab Emirates.
基金financially supported by the National Science and Technology Major Demonstration Project 19 (2011ZX05062-008)
文摘In recent years, as the exploration practices extend into more complicated formations, conventional well log interpretation has often shown its inaccuracy and limitations in identifying hydrocarbons. The Permian Wutonggou Formation hosts typical clastic reservoirs in the Eastern Junggar Basin. The sophisticated lithology characteristics cause complex pore structures and fluid properties. These all finally cause low well testing agreement rate using conventional methods. Eleven years＇ recent statistics show that 12 out of 15 water layers have been incorrectly identified as being oil or oil/water layers by conventional well log interpretation. This paper proposes a methodology called intelligent prediction and identification system （IPIS）. Firstly, parameters reflecting lithological, petrophysical and electrical responses which are greatly related to reservoir fluids have been selected carefully. They are shale content （Vsh）, numbered rock type （RN）, porosity （φ）, permeability （K）, true resistivity （RT） and spontaneous-potential （SP）. Secondly, Vsh, φ and K are predicted from well logs through artificial neural networks （ANNs）. Finally, all the six parameters are input into a neuro-fuzzy inference machine （NFIM） to get fluids identification results. Eighteen new layers of 145.3 m effective thickness were examined by IPIS. There is full agreement with well testing results. This shows the system＇s accuracy and effectiveness.
基金Supported by the National Science Foundation of China(No.7977086)
文摘This paper describes the development of a knowledgebased system (KBS) for determining whether or not, and under what conditions, a bank Ioan officer should grant a business loan to a company. The prototype system developed focuses on what is bank loans risks management, how to prevent risk by the analysis of the ability of paying back loans. The paper makes the structural analysis involved in the system's decision situation, the structured situation diagram or model, dependency diagram and the document needed by the KBS prototype system thus are developed. Through testing the samples from loan business, the quality for the analysis of the ability of paying back loans can be effectively evaluated by the KBS prototype system.
文摘Introduction: Several Nigerians are completely denied access to adequate health care because of cultural, temporal and financial factors with inequity. Objectives: To ascertain the household perceptions, willingness to pay, benefit package preferences, and health systems readiness for Insurance Scheme. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 400 heads of households and 43 health workers in Enugu, Southern Nigeria. Results: Awareness of NHIS among the heads of household was 56.8%, while it was 86% among the health workers. Awareness of NHIS among heads of households was significantly associated to both educational level (X<sup>2</sup> = 16.083, P = 0.001), and occupation (X<sup>2</sup> = 5.694, P = 0.017). More males (61.6%) had correct perceptions of NHIS compared to females (58.6%), but not statistically significant (X<sup>2 </sup>= 0.336, P = 0.562). Majority of households respondents 89% are willing to pay for NHIS. Willingness to pay was significantly associated to occupation (X<sup>2</sup> = 5.169, df = 1, P = 0.023), but willingness to pay mandatory 5% premium was not significantly associated to occupation (X<sup>2</sup> = 0.884, P = 347). Only 11.6% of the health facilities are enlisted as providers in the scheme. Conclusion: Willingness to pay was high, but majority are not ready to pay 5% premium of their earnings. Awareness creation programmes should be improved for the public, and more health facilities enlisted for wider coverage.
文摘The main focus of study is to characterize lower and upper cretaceous carbonate deposits with Low Resistivity Pay, in Persian Gulf. Four oil reservoirs in the Cretaceous including the Zubair, Buwaib, Shuaiba and Khatiyah Formations of Southern fields have been analyzed. Here is a look at that to determine main factors on decreasing resistivity in pay zone. In some intervals resistivity responses reach less than 6 to 1 ohm·m. Significant hydrocarbon accumulations are “hidden” in low resistivity Pay zone, (LRPZ). LRPZ reservoirs have been found in some formations in Persian Gulf. Causes of LRPZ reservoirs on the basis of experimental analysis include clay-coated grains, carbonate with interstitial dispersed clay. On the other side Smectite and Kaolinite of main clays types have high CEC and greater impact on lowering resistivity. Micritization and Pyritization of digenetic process have noticeable impact on LRPZ. It is mentioned that Lønøy method applied to address pore throat sizes which contain Inter crystalline porosity, Chalky Limestone, Mudstone micro porosity. Pore systems are classified at class 2 and 3 Lucia and pore size varies from 0.5 to 4 micron. NMR Core and Log results show different pore size distribution. NMR core and MRIL results explain that decreasing of resistivity in pay zone is related to texture and grain size variation not being existence of moved water. Irreducible water estimate for this reservoir was between 30% and 50%. T2 cut off estimates, for defining irreducible water saturation, 115 ms.
文摘This study estimated tourists’Willingness to Pay(WTP)per day for recreation services in Nyerere National Park(NNP)and compared these values with daily travel costs that are incurred by tourists to visit NNP in order to inform whether recreation resources in the park are overvalued or undervalued.The study revealed that tourists’WTP per day for recreation services was estimated at$237.4 and$1521 for resident and non-resident tourists,respectively.The estimated tourists’WTP values exceed the daily travel costs currently incurred by tourists,which are$201.04 and$1517.97 for resident and non-resident tourists,respectively.This indicates that tourists are willing to spend more to enjoy recreation services in NNP,which signifies that recreation resources in NNP are slightly undervalued.In addition,the findings disclosed that the largest share of tourist daily travel expenses is allocated to transportation services,and very little is paid to the park as a conservation fee.It was revealed that out of the daily travel expenses incurred by non-resident and resident tourists,only 4.62%and 2.23%are respectively paid directly to NNP as conservation fees.This study considers that allocation is not very fair;thus,NNP,in collaboration with TANAPA,needs to adjust the current entrance or conservation fee and reduce the transportation costs charged by tourist companies.The travel costs incurred by tourists,age,education,monthly income,site visited,substitute site,and quality of park were identified as significant factors in influencing tourists’WTP for recreation services in NNP.Thus,policies oriented to reduce tourists’transportation costs and improve the quality of national parks would attract more tourists to NNP.
文摘The importance of valuing environmental resources,especially in ecotourism sites,has become increasingly important over the last two decades.Ecotourism is now considered as an important source of livelihood of local stakeholders in backward regions.Therefore,the preservation of ecotourism sites through community participation seems very important to maintain continued flow of tourists.This study aimed at recognizing the importance of community participation for the preservation of ecotourism sites.For this,this study executed a survey based on non-probability sampling in two ecotourism sites(Garpanchkot and Baranti)covering 100 respondents in Purulia District,West Bengal of India.The central issue of this study was to assess the tendency of community participation for the conservation of ecotourism sites and find the optimum condition for offering participatory labour time.This study showed that the participation of young people is high,and the majority of respondents are aware of the importance in protecting ecotourism sites.Because respondents were too poor to offer money,the contingent valuation method(CVM)was used to elicit their willingness to pay(WTP)participatory labour time for the conservation of ecotourism sites.Respondents’age,income,education level,caste,and their perceived environmental quality had significant relationship with their WTP participatory labour time by applying the ordinary least square(OLS)model.It was found that the mean WTP participatory labour time of each respondent in a month is approximately 3.64 h.The significance of this study is that community participation can improve the sense of belonging,trust,and credibility of ecotourism sites,making them more appreciative of the value and protection of these sites.
文摘Based on the questionnaire survey,this article reveals the effects of the current university compensation system on faculties in three psychological aspects,namely performance exam effect,work pressure and endurance capability.The results indicate that university faculties have a strong pursuit for self-fulfillment and successful career.Most of them love their teaching career and wish to further improve the fairness and efficiency of university management system by deepening the management systemic reform.Multi-leveled,multi-purposed and multi-modeled managing strategy of university compensation system is proved to be the main methods of improving fairness and efficiency.
