Resilience Engineering approach to safety assessment: an application of FRAM for the MSAW system.

Available: http://www.eurocontrol.int/eec/public/standard_page/safety_docs_Munich_2009.htmlInternational audienceThis paper describes a safety assessment study of the Minimum Safety Altitude Warning system (MSAW) using resilience engineering principles. The purpose of the MSAW system is to alert Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) of potential Controlled Flight Into Terrain and Controlled Flight Into Obstacles with sufficient warning time for appropriate instructions to be issued to pilot. The first step of the safety assessment is to identify and describe the MSAW functions by means of the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM). The impact of the introduction of MSAW in the Air Traffic Management (ATM) system is evaluated by incorporating the MSAW functions into an existing FRAM model of ATCO activities. The resulting FRAM model is then used to evaluate two scenarios to identify possible risks emerging from the introduction of MSAW. Risk identification is based on the evaluation of functions' performance variability and on the occurrence of unexpected combinations. The advantages of this approach are discussed in the conclusion of the paper

Improving design processes in the nuclear domain–Insights on organisational challenges from safety culture and resilience engineering perspectives

Design flaws have been contributing to major industrial accidents. However, design activities are understudied in human and organisational factors studies. In the nuclear power domain, both pre-operational design and design of modifications depend on a network of organizations, and aim at developing solutions which meet different criteria. Nuclear power companies often outsource the design work to organisations, which might not be hitherto familiar with the safety requirements of nuclear industry. The final phase of SADE project focused on testing and evaluating the results of the first two phases through in depth analysis of case studies conducted in Finland and Sweden. The study aimed at providing insights on the inter-organizational challenges related to design activities, which could potentially affect safety of the Nordic nuclear power plants. In 2013 we carried out 14 semi-structured interviews with representatives of power plant organisations, design organisations and regulators. Interviews of the Finnish case studies were complemented by one group interview each. The study indicated that design-related challenges in the nuclear domain are mainly inter-organizational. This implies that safety management and safety culture approaches should take better into account the inter-organisational nature of work processes. For some of the challenges (e.g. coordination) many coping practices exist throughout the network, whereas for others (e.g. shared understanding) just a few were mentioned. This signifies that design organisations have learned the consequences of insufficient coordination in previous projects, while reaching a shared understanding proves to be challenging. The design process involves both rational and creative approaches to deal with real-life problems. In nuclear industry, designers face the need to balance between fulfilling requirements and doing an extensive amount of paperwork, and creating new, safe and functional solutions. To better manage safety culture in design activities in a networked context, nuclear power companies and design supply chains need to reach a shared understanding on achieving this balance. Finally, the study provides a set of recommendations to support and improve the design process and to help anticipate emerging risks in the nuclear industry

Cannabis Essential Oil: A Preliminary Study for the Evaluation of the Brain Effects

We examined the effects of essential oil from legal (THC <0.2% w/v) hemp variety on the nervous system in 5 healthy volunteers. GC/EIMS and GC/FID analysis of the EO showed that the main components were myrcene and β-caryophyllene. The experiment consisted of measuring autonomic nervous system (ANS) parameters; evaluations of the mood state; and electroencephalography (EEG) recording before treatment, during treatment, and after hemp inhalation periods as compared with control conditions. The results revealed decreased diastolic blood pressure, increased heart rate, and significant increased skin temperature. The subjects described themselves as more energetic, relaxed, and calm. The analysis EEG showed a significant increase in the mean frequency of alpha (8–13 Hz) and significant decreased mean frequency and relative power of beta 2 (18,5–30 Hz) waves. Moreover, an increased power, relative power, and amplitude of theta (4–8 Hz) and alpha brain waves activities and an increment in the delta wave (0,5–4 Hz) power and relative power was recorded in the posterior region of the brain. These results suggest that the brain wave activity and ANS are affected by the inhalation of the EO of Cannabis sativa suggesting a neuromodular activity in cases of stress, depression, and anxiety

a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis of allergic and non allergic respiratory diseases nasal cytology and feno

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