Risk Management in IT Departments: a Process Perspective

This research reports on a field based research investigation into the processes of implementing risk management (RM) schemes in IT departments from a sensemaking perspective. Participation and implementation of the framework is conceptualised as a process of organisational learning. The literature on RM, specifically implementation issues associated with RM schemes, is reviewed. This work-in-progress paper focuses on contextual and processual elements as well as the action of key players associated with implementation. This research also suggests a different approach to doing RM research — one that takes into account the interaction over time of participations, context, meaning, process, planning and action around the implementation of RM schemes. The findings will provide insight for theory and practice, detailing the organisational learning that are associated with RM frameworks under certain circumstances, and how these might be assessed and managed

Developing the concept of Individual IT Culture and its Impact on IT Risk Management Implementation

Organisational implementations of IT risk management (IT-RM) frameworks often fail due to cultural forces. This work-in-progress study focuses on the action of IT individuals involved with IT-RM implementations. Particularly, this research steps outside the conventional factor analytic perspective of IT risk management research by focusing on contextual and processual elements as well as the actions and interpretations of managers to explain successful implementations. A series of case studies were designed around semi-structured in-depth interviews with IT managers. Grounded theory-like analysis of the case text produced a structure of conceptual categories and themes depicting the successful implementation of an IT-RM framework

IT Risk Management Implementation as Socio-Technical Change: A Process Approach

This study introduces a new process for implementing risk management in IT departments, promoting a socio-technical change approach. This research steps outside the conventional factor analytic perspective of IT risk management by embedding contextual and processual elements (e.g. socio-technical interactions and interpretations) to explain successful implementations. Adopting a multi-case approach for obtaining richer data from a problem domain, we outline new details of an implementation process. The proposed process model represents how these elements work together to produce a successful outcome. Grounded theory-like analysis of the case findings helped us to understand and explore conceptual categories and themes that are relevant to the proposed process. By developing the conceptual model of IT risk management implementation with a socio-technical perspective, we generate a set of propositions in this paper that explains the dynamic nature of IT implementation

Control strategy for direct voltage and frequency stabilityenhancement in HVAC/HVDC grids

Direct voltage fluctuations due to the presence of relatively large DC reactors (as an essen-tial part of HVDC breakers), lack of inertia, and unwanted frequency fluctuations in theAC side of HVDC grids, have major consequences on the stability of HVAC/HVDC grids.The use of the DC Power System Stabilizer (DC-PSS) can damp and eliminate voltageoscillations caused by the presence of the DC reactors. However, DC-PSS cannot addressthe issues of inertia and unwanted frequency fluctuations. A method to improve inertiais proposed here that can operate well with the droop controller, and DC-PSS does notinterfere with power-sharing and does not interact with any of these elements. Since thepresence of a droop controller in HVAC/HVDC grids associates with power and directvoltage, the method proposed here can improve direct voltage fluctuations by eliminatingsevere power peaks. Moreover, this method does not change the voltage level of the entiresystem, so there is no need to change the set-points of controllers. In addition, all param-eters of the controllers are tuned by an intelligent algorithm, and the Participation factor(PF) scheme is used to find the proper placement of the proposed controller

A seismic vulnerability index method for masonry schools in the province of Yazd

School facilities in Iran, in particular masonry schools, have shown poor performance during past earthquakes and can be identified as the most vulnerable buildings to the earthquakes. Hence, in this paper a method to perform observational-based damage assessment for brick masonry schools located in the province of Yazd, the central region of Iran, using a comprehensive database of schools is proposed. The database was obtained from the field survey forms applied for each observed school to collect the seismic influential parameters. The results of a vulnerability index method developed in Iran are employed to use in a correlation procedure as input data, aiming at obtaining the empirical fragility curves for each school inventory. The macroseismic model and GNDT II level method are two empirical methods that are combined in this procedure. The procedure is verified using damage survey data after earthquakes occurred in Iran

Direct current power system stabilizers for HVDC grids: Current status

A power system stabilizer (PSS) is a control system integrated into the control structure of specific generation units within AC grids. It monitors current, voltage, and machine shaft speed. Analysing these variables, the PSS generates appropriate control signals to the voltage regulator unit, aiming to damp system oscillations. With the advancement of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) overlaid high-voltage alternative current (HVAC) grids, it is anticipated that direct current power system stabilizers (DC-PSS) will be developed to perform a similar role as their AC counterparts. DC-PSS will be responsible for monitoring and controlling DC voltage levels, ensuring stable operations. This paper focuses on DC-PSS in HVDC grids, designed to ensure stable operation and mitigate voltage fluctuations. Unlike conventional AC power systems, HVDC includes only DC voltage and power. The input signal for DC-PSS is the variations in DC voltage, and the output signal is proportional to the power changes at the specific bus where the DC-PSS is installed, aiming to minimize DC voltage oscillations. These characteristics pose significant challenges in DC-PSS. The paper addresses the challenges and highlights issues such as inertia and low-frequency oscillations associated with DC-PSS. Various control methods are presented and a comparison is made among these methods

Preventive conservation of vernacular adobe heritage located in seismic-prone regions

In general, relevant actions to retrofit heritage should be considered before the occurrence of earthquakes. This proactive approach is preferred, rather than a reactive approach in an emergency situation, following the earthquake. These preventive actions are known as disaster mitigation, risk mitigation, disaster risk management, seismic upgrading and preventive conservation. In the case of vernacular heritage, poor workmanship, lack of financial support, vast number of buildings, and the use of weak material lead to the need to conduct efforts to develop preventive conservation methods with relevant criteria. All these actions were directed to protecting vernacular heritage from multiple potential damages that could threaten this architecture in the future. In recent years, records of casualty and losses due to earthquakes reveal that seismic events can be one of the most destructive potential damages for building, especially if constructed with a weak material, such as adobe. There is little literature concerning preventive conservation of vernacular adobe buildings, which are at risk from earthquakes. Vernacular architecture needs more consideration due to the high number of vernacular dwellings worldwide but especially due to the inhabitants’ safety. Failure to recall the effects of destructive earthquakes with a large recurrent period of seismic actions, but also economic reasons lead to the neglect of these important preventive solutions. The main objective of this paper is to emphasize that a comprehensive conservation procedure related to prevention of casualties and damage of vernacular adobe heritage located in seismic-prone regions, should consider relevant principles and criteria for the conservation of cultural heritage. In the field of preventive conservation of adobe vernacular heritage located in seismic-prone regions, there is some confusion concerning the relation between the conservation process and the seismic protection process; the importance and need of conservation principles in seismic protection procedures; and also the role of the architect and of the engineer in these processes. These matters will be discussed in the current paper.(undefined

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Evaluation of Maxillary First and Second Molars in Iranian Population: A Morphological Study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify the root and canal morphology of maxillary first and second molars in Iranian population by taking and analyzing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Methods and Materials: Extracted maxillary first (n=125) and second (n=125) molars were collected from native Iranians and scanned by using a CBCT scanner. The number of roots and configuration of root canal system were classified according to Vertucci’s classification. Results: Two (1.6%) maxillary first and two (1.6%) maxillary second molars had four roots. Prevalence of root fusion was 2.4% and 8.8% in maxillary first and second molars, respectively. The most common canal morphology in the mesiobuccal roots of three-rooted first and second molars was Type I (46.4% and 80.8%, respectively), followed by Type VI (17.6%) in first molars. The predominant morphology of distobuccal and palatal roots in first and second molars was Type I. Additional canal types were also identified. Conclusion: Profound knowledge of anatomic variations is necessary prior to cleaning and obturation of the root canal system. The most common discovered root morphology was three separate roots in both tooth types. The greatest variation in canal anatomy was discovered in the MB canals of both the first and second molars

Adsorption properties of low-cost synthesized nanozeolite L for efficient removal of toxic methylene blue dye from aqueous solution

In this study, nanozeolite L was applied for the removal of toxic methylene blue dye (MB) to evaluate its feasibility as an effective adsorbent. Synthesized nanozeolite L was characterized by X­ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and energy-dispersive X­ray analysis (EDX) methods to determine its basic physicochemical properties. Batch adsorption studies were performed as a function of pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, initial MB concentration, and temperature. The adsorption behavior of MB was fitted better by the Langmuir isotherm than by the Freundlich isotherm, and the maximum adsorption capacity of nanozeolite L was obtained 80.64 mg g-1. The negative values of Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°) and the positive value of the standard enthalpy change (ΔH°) affirmed that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. Based on these findings, nanozeolite L, with high surface area, great adsorption capacity, and low synthetic cost, can be an effective and economical adsorbent for MB removal