Search results for "Reliability and Quality"
showing 10 items of 386 documents
Performance of a historical cantilever reinforced concrete bridge with half-joint degradation
2022
The lack of maintenance of roadway concrete bridges built from the Second World War until the 70 s of the 20th century has led in recent years to an ever-increasing request for safety assessments. When bridge performance in terms of Serviceability Limit State (SLS) and Ultimate Limit State (ULS) has to be evaluated, in-situ visual inspections and load tests for safety and maintenance assessment have to be coupled with structural analysis. In order to identify a sound bridge structural model and to assess the actual conservation state, more refined models than those usually considered for section and reinforcement design should be used to reproduce the results of load tests and perform globa…
The Integrated Migrant worker Safety Training Evaluation Model: IMSTEM
2021
Abstract This paper presents the development of the IMSTEM (Integrated Migrant worker Safety Training Evaluation Model), which aims to provide guidance on how to evaluate the transfer of safety training of migrant workers. Addressing the lack of rigorous safety training evaluation frameworks, the IMSTEM, using a mixed methods, multi-source approach, covers the deficiencies of previous models. The IMSTEM has its foundations in three main sources: a) the integration of safety training literature in relation to migrant workers; b) the theoretical framework of realist evaluation, which enables evaluators to understand what works for whom in which circumstances; and c) the integration of the tra…
Post-license Education for Novice Drivers: Evaluation of a Training Programme implemented in Spain
2006
Abstract Introduction This study evaluated the implementation of a second phase training program for novice drivers in Spain, which puts the primary focus of the training on the higher hierarchical levels of driver behavior. Method Two hundred and sixty-three participants took part throughout the study, which was implemented as an experimental design with the test and control groups assessed before and after the one day safety training. Measurement of the impact of the training program focused on the participants' self-evaluation and self-reporting of some driving behavior indicators related to accident risk. Results Data analysis showed a change in the expected direction in the scale relat…
The spatial evaluation of the radiative human body heat exchanges: An effective contribution for limiting energy consumption and achieving better ind…
2018
Abstract Radiative heat exchanges inside buildings remarkably affect the thermal balance of the human body in confined spaces and the related thermal comfort sensations of people. The mean radiant temperature is an important component of this balance. Unfortunately, it is usually computed by means of too simplified relationships, which significantly influence the comfort evaluations. Such simplified approaches are also accountable for a less effective design of HVAC systems which, in turn, could result in high energy consumption in the climatization of buildings. However, an accurate evaluation of the mean radiant temperature, especially when high intensity sources are present in a given in…
An analytical model of heat transfer and fluid dynamic performances of an unconventional NTR engine for manned interplanetary missions
2009
Abstract An analytical model of fluid flow and heat transfer of a Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) engine concept is presented. The engine is based on the direct conversion of the kinetic energy of the fission fragments (FFs) into the propellant enthalpy. The FFs can escape from an extremely thin layer of fissionable material: a sufficiently large surface coated with few micrometers of Americium 242m, confined by a neutron moderator–reflector, may become a critical reactor. Three dimensional coupled CFD-Monte Carlo simulations have already been presented in Di Piazza and Mulas (2006) . In this paper, an analytical integral 1-D model of fluid dynamics and heat transfer is built in order to fores…
Management and use of filter masks in the “none-medical” population during the Covid-19 period
2020
Abstract SARS-CoV-2 has become a pandemic disease declared by the World Health Organization, consequently each nation has taken a series of actions managed by the government in order to prevent the spread of this dangerous virus. The most common countermeasure is the use of a mask that should cover the mouth and nose to filter the inhaled and exhaled air. Those masks are medical devices that should be handled properly; unfortunately in our study, observation of the population during the so-called “phase 2″ has very often shown an inappropriate use of any type of mask which reduces its effectiveness. The correct dissemination of adequate information on how to use the mask and the strict cont…
Working conditions, job strain, and traffic safety among three groups of public transport drivers
2018
Background: Working conditions and psychosocial work factors have acquired an important role explaining the well-being and performance of professional drivers, including those working in the field of public transport. This study aimed to examine the association between job strain and the operational performance of public transport drivers and to compare the expositions with psychosocial risk at work of three different types of transport workers: taxi drivers, city bus drivers, and interurban bus drivers. Method: A sample of 780 professional drivers was drawn from three transport companies in Bogota (Colombia). The participants answered the Job Content Questionnaire and a set of sociodemogra…
Changing driver behavior during floods: Testing a novel e-health intervention using implementation imagery
2021
Abstract We tested the efficacy of a novel implementation imagery intervention (N = 460) in promoting safer intentions regarding driving into floodwater post-intervention, and at a four-week follow-up using a pre-registered randomized controlled design. Results showed that the intervention reduced intentions and subjective norms regarding driving into floodwater. The control condition also improved on intentions and subjective norms, but the changes appeared to only be maintained at the follow-up for the intervention group and the between group difference at the follow-up was not significant based on our pre-specified cutoff level for statistical significance of 0.01. Results also indicated…
Quality control in the optical industry: From a work analysis of lens inspection to a training programme, an experimental case study
2007
A cognitive work analysis of quality inspection in the optical industry has been carried out in order to devise a training programme. The task concerned the inspection of high quality human eyeglass lenses. We conducted an experimental investigation of defect detection and acceptability decision-making tasks in 18 experts and novice inspectors. Detection and decision-making were investigated together and separately in two experimental sessions. We showed the effect of expertise on reaction times and errors, and we described the cognitive processes of novice inspectors. On the basis of the processing differences between the two groups, a training programme for new inspectors was devised and …
Radiation effects in nitride read-only memories
2010
Abstract We report on the influence of different types of radiation on the nitride read-only memories (NROM®). The memory cells were irradiated by light ions (Boron), X-rays and γ-rays. Memory transistor parameters, such as threshold voltage and subthreshold drain leakage were studied as a function of the accumulated radiation dose and compared to the as-programmed (-erased) devices parameters. Their time evolution was registered in the range from few hours up to 5 months after the irradiation. The NROM® cells showed good radiation robustness up to high accumulated doses. Sufficient program margin (difference of threshold voltage in the programmed state and the read-out voltage level) remai…