Search results for "Processes"

Detection, characterization and sizing of hydrogen induced cracking in pressure vessels using phased array ultrasonic data processing

2016

Abstract Pressure vessels operating in sour service conditions in refinery environments can be subject to the risk of H₂S cracking resulting from the hydrogen entering into the material. This risk, which is related to the specific working conditions and to the quality of the steel used, shall be properly managed in order to maintain the highest safety at a cost-effective level. Nowadays the typical management strategy is based on a risk based inspection (RBI) evaluation to define the inspection plan used in conjunction with a fitness for service (FFS) approach in defining if the vessel, although presenting dangerous defects such as cracks, can still be considered “fit for purpose” for a giv…

Ranking and comparing key factors causing time-overruns in on-site construction

2022

For years, the construction industry has looked for ways to avoid time-overruns in construction. Despite previous research mapping the factors affecting time performance, site-managers have difficulties in reducing the time-overrun. In order to create a clearer guidance on how to control time-performance, this study investigates the resource related factors because they are within the site-manager’s control. Three Case studies were followed and a survey including 36 participants where conducted. Both investigated and ranked the likelihood of delay due to the seven different resource factors. The ranking of the resource factors was identified as: (1) Construction design, (2) Connecting works…

Major typhoon phases in the upper Gulf of Thailand over the last 1.5 millennia, determined from coastal deposits on rock islands

2018

Abstract Rapid growth of Asian megacities, exemplified by the megacity of Bangkok, Thailand, with a population of over 10 million inhabitants, means that an increasing number of people are living in low-lying coastal areas exposed to hazards such as typhoons. While Bangkok has always been considered not to be at risk from typhoon strikes, recent discoveries of elevated carbonate boulder deposits have started to question this assumption. This work reports on findings from the islands of Ko Khang Khao and Ko Phai, farther north and west than earlier studies, and adds to the existing body of evidence for prehistorical typhoon-driven high energy marine inundation (HEMI) events penetrating north…

Tourist Perceptions of Resources and Activities in Rural Areas

2004

ABSTRACT This paper tries to delve into the tastes and preferences of tourists visiting rural areas in Spain as an alternative to the traditional sun and beach holiday that dominates Spanish tourism. This paper focuses on the demand side of rural tourism; more specifically whether the tourists visiting a Spanish rural area, El Alto Palancia region, show different behaviours towards two sets of variables, depending on the age, gender, income and educational background. The first variable, “interest in certain resources associated with rural tourism”, was focused on natural and architectural resources that attract the tourist's attention. The second, a broad set of “activities that a tourist …

Pulse Oximetry as a Diagnostic Tool to Determine Pulp Vitality: A Systematic Review

2021

Pulse oximetry (PO) can be used as a technique to assess vascularization. Although it is commonly used in the field of medicine, it still has limited use in dentistry. The aim of this study is to evaluate, by means of a systematic review, if pulse oximetry is a viable and effective system to determine pulp vitality and assess the clinical criteria for its use. A literature search was performed in Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Clinical studies using pulse oximetry as a tool to determine pulp vitality in permanent teeth were eligible. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed following the Quality Assessment for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) gu…

DNA binding, nuclease activity, DNA photocleavage and cytotoxic properties of Cu(II) complexes of N-substituted sulfonamides.

2013

Abstract Ternary copper(II) complexes [Cu(NST)2(phen)] (1) and [Cu(NST)2(NH3)2]·H2O (2) [HNST = N-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)naphthalene-1-sulfonamide] were prepared and characterized by physico-chemical techniques. Both 1 and 2 were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structures show the presence of a distorted square planar CuN4 geometry in which the deprotonated sulfonamide, acting as monodentate ligand, binds to the metal ion through the thiazole N atom. Both complexes present intermolecular π–π stacking interactions between phenanthroline rings (compound 1) and between naphthalene rings (compound 2). The interaction of the complexes with CT DNA was studied b…

2014

Background Disembodiment is a core feature of depersonalization disorder (DPD). Given the narratives of DPD patients about their disembodiment and emotional numbing and neurobiological findings of an inhibition of insular activity, DPD may be considered as a mental disorder with specific impairments of interoceptive awareness and body perception. Methods We investigated cardioceptive accuracy (CA) of DPD patients (n = 24) as compared to healthy controls (n = 26) with two different heartbeat detection tasks (“Schandry heartbeat counting task” and “Whitehead heartbeat discrimination task”). Self-rated clearness of body perception was measured by questionnaire. Results Contrary to our hypothes…

The Influence of Guilt on the Relationship Between Burnout and Depression

2012

Burnout is a serious problem that can be expressed as psychological symptoms, such as depressive mood. Earlier studies have shown that feelings of guilt appear to be involved in the burnout process. However, the exact nature of the relationships among burnout, guilt, and depression is unclear. The purpose of this study was to test the mediator role of guilt in the relationship between burnout and depression. The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 700 employees working with intellectually disabled persons. Hypotheses were tested together in a path model. Two models were constructed to test the relationships among the variables. The difference between the models was the order …

Relationships between burnout and role ambiguity, role conflict and employee absenteeism among health workers

2014

The aim of this research was to analyze the influence of some psychosocial risk factors in the development of burnout and to analyze the influence of this phenomenon on employee absenteeism. The study sample included 142 health care workers. The data analysis included descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models. The results confirmed the influence of role ambiguity and role conflict on burnout [F (2.139) = 26.720; p < .001], but the influence of burnout on employee absenteeism was not confirmed. However, a significant and positive relationship has been shown between burnout and employee absenteeism (β = 0.197; p < .05). In conclusion, the findings of this study support the …

Validez de instrumento para medir la competencia territorial. Matriz READI para la autoevaluación de territorios competentes

2021

El artículo presenta el diseño metodológico seguido para el análisis de la validez y fiabilidad de una matriz cuya finalidad es la de permitir a los territorios autoevaluar su grado de competencia potencial para la consecución de objetivos ligados al desarrollo local. Se ha seguido un diseño de estudio descriptivo de construcción de conceptos, dimensiones e indicadores y de verificación de escalas multidimensionales a través de análisis factorial y validez de constructo. El análisis cuantitativo realizado combinado con aportaciones cualitativas de personas expertas, concluye que la matriz es un instrumento válido y confiable para su cometido.