Investigation of occupational noise exposure in a ship recycling yard

The ship recycling industry is often criticised for unacceptable occupational health and safety practices. In order to support the development of technical solutions and new regulatory norms, there is an urgent need for quantitative data explaining the impacts of ship recycling practices on health and safety. Therefore, this study investigated hazardous noise exposure in ship recycling yards by identifying the sources of noise, quantifying their potential impacts on workers and making recommendations for improvement. A noise exposure investigation in an operational ship recycling yard was conducted, which comprised a general noise survey, a personal noise exposure measurement for workers and comparison of the results with the exposure limits and action values defined by the European Union's Physical Agents (Noise) Directive (EC 2003b). The results of this study show that ship recycling workers are at risk of experiencing occupational noise induced hearing loss as a result of being exposed to hazardous noise levels for prolonged periods of time. This study explains that those working with torch cutting equipment, in particular, are most at risk. The study also shows that there is currently a lack of appropriate hearing protection being used in ship recycling yards

Workers' exposure to dust and potentially toxic elements during steel cutting in two ship dismantling cases

Ship dismantling is the recommended recycling solution for the end of a ship’s life, but the process is not free of occupational risk. Despite proper regulations, there are underlying chemical and physical hazards, mainly due to the cutting of steel parts, which is the core of the recycling process. The overall aim of this research study is to determine, in two case study examples, the ship recycling workers’ potential occupational exposure by inhalation of chemical agents generated by the torch cutting process of coated and de-coated steel. This was carried out specifically through (i) monitoring and measuring ship recycling workers’ local environment for the inhalable (total dust) and respirable (fine dust) fractions during their working operations, (ii) analysing the heavy metal content of the dust and (iii) calculating and comparing this against occupational exposure limits, (v) comparing de-coating operations with cutting of coated and de-coated steel. Results of this study show that without further mitigation workers involved in torch cutting processes are at high risk of exposure to heavy metals by inhalation as these are exceeding the norms defined by regulatory bodies

Research priorities for European paediatric emergency medicine

Objective Research in European Paediatric Emergency Medicine (REPEM) network is a collaborative group of 69 paediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians from 20 countries in Europe, initiated in 2006. To further improve paediatric emergency care in Europe, the aim of this study was to define research priorities for PEM in Europe to guide the development of future research projects. Design and Setting We carried out an online survey in a modified three-stage Delphi study. Eligible participants were members of the REPEM network. In stage 1, the REPEM steering committee prepared a list of research topics. In stage 2, REPEM members rated on a 6-point scale research topics and they could add research topics and comment on the list for further refinement. Stage 3 included further prioritisation using the Hanlon Process of Prioritisation (HPP) to give more emphasis to the feasibility of a research topic. Results Based on 52 respondents (response rates per stage varying from 41% to 57%), we identified the conditions 'fever', 'sepsis' and 'respiratory infections', and the processes/interventions 'biomarkers', 'risk stratification' and 'practice variation' as common themes of research interest. The HPP identified highest priority for 4 of the 5 highest prioritised items by the Delphi process, incorporating prevalence and severity of each condition and feasibility of undertaking such research. Conclusions While the high diversity in emergency department (ED) populations, cultures, healthcare systems and healthcare delivery in European PEM prompts to focus on practice variation of ED conditions, our defined research priority list will help guide further collaborative research efforts within the REPEM network to improve PEM care in Europe.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Hyperprolactinemia in Children and Adolescents: National Survey

Conclusion: We present the largest cohort of children and adolescents with hyperprolactinemia in the literature to date. Hyperprolactinemia is more common in females and cabergoline is highly effective and practical to use in adolescents, due to its biweekly dosing. Indications for surgery in pediatric cases need to be revised

Investigation of different cutting technologies in a ship recycling yard with simulation approach

The operational costs of ship recycling yards will increase since the new regulations require more stringent standards for preserving the occupational and environmental health and safety of the people involved in recycling activities. Improvement of the current operational procedures and current levels of productivity will be critical to survive in a competitive industry dominated by low-cost substandard yards. The main aim of this study is to increase the productivity of the yards through the improvement of processes. In this study, cutting operation in the secondary zone is investigated using discrete event simulation. Alternative cutting technologies have been tested in a simulation to assess their impact on production performance and operating costs. This study shows that plasma cutting is a good alternative to oxyfuel cutting. Overall research conducted in this study is significant contribution to the literature as a novel approach for modelling processes and for the implementation of cutting technologies

Circular economy approach in the maritime industry : barriers and the path to sustainability

The maritime industry lags behind other transportation sectors in the circular economy (CE) approaches and sustainability. Circularity is not well-established in the maritime, and there is a need to “close the loop” to minimise waste and increase the revenue stream. Although recycling contributes significantly to reducing the demand for raw materials, a significant number of parts and equipment from ships are currently underutilized. Therefore, this study aims to; i) identify the barriers to the successful implementation of CE principles in the maritime, ii) reveal the potential benefits of circular applications (6R), iii) briefly present remanufacturing environments in the aviation and automotive industries, and then iv) investigate the current situation and future potential in the maritime through industry investigation, stakeholder interviews and a structured questionnaire

Determining the effects of implementing IMO's Hong Kong Convention's requirements on the productivity of a ship recycling yard by using discrete event simulation

Ship Recycling (SR) is considered as a sustainable solution for ships which reach end-of-life (EOL). Generally, EOL ships are sent to SR yards located in developing countries. However, the health, safety and environmental conditions in these yards cause a big concern for the international community. As a result, new international regulations were developed, and SR yards will be required to meet those criteria defined by the regulators. To stay competitive in a more stringent regulatory framework, their production efficiency will become more important. This paper proposes a framework for SR yards to better understand the problems related to resource optimisation and define the gap between current regulations and the existing yards. The framework uses discrete event simulation to create the required evidence for optimising the production. This study demonstrates the framework can effectively identify problems, propose improvement measures, and conduct resource optimisation in an evidence-based manner

Primary Stability in Various Levels of Impacted Implants: An Ex Vivo

The aim of this study was to examine the primary stabilization of different vertically impacted bone implants. Implant stability was measured by resonance frequency analysis. Forty-five dental implants were used and divided into 3 groups. Group 1 was placed 4 mm (1/3 impacted), group 2 was placed 8 mm (2/3 impacted), and group 3 was placed 12 mm (fully impacted). Implant stability quotient values were measured on the longitudinal and transversal axis by 2 independent researchers. The fully impacted group showed the significantly highest value among the groups (P , .05). There were statistically varying implant-stability quotient values between researchers. None of the 1/3-impacted implants' value reached a 70 implant-stability quotient value

Just in time vessel arrival system for dry bulk carriers

Abstract Cargo conveyance onboard dry bulk carriers is contemporarily often affiliated to preoperational waiting times, which may affect the income situation of stakeholders and the sustainability of the sector. Therefore, repetitively occurring waiting problems, potentially paired with port congestion phenomena, indicating that just in time (JIT) arrival potential for a distinct or a combination of reasons has not been realised, can be frequently identified. Undesired increment of waiting times and development of port congestion is frequently responded to by an array of measures. JIT arrival concepts, vessel arrival systems (VAS) and virtual arrival (VA) agreements thereby do not strive to eliminate waiting times but facilitate their sensible transformation into additional navigation time. In practice, VAS applications may, however, only enfold their inherent sustainability potential within closely defined delimitations. At the same time, JIT mechanisms and VA agreements may lack acceptance due to impracticability or missing alignment to underlying trade requirements. Therefore, fair but environmentally inefficient arrival mechanisms like the first come first serve (FCFS) concept remain widely applied. As a remedy, a VAS has been conceptualised by diverting from a static to a dynamic time-, distance- and speed JIT concept wherein these parameters are defined by predicted berth and cargo operation availability. A circular based Reporting Line furnished with the functions attributable to the place where line up positions are customarily allocated is fluctuating in correspondence to the time to go until the nearest berthing opportunity becomes available. The concept does not only provide for a dynamically shifting line and corridor to obtain an often highly valued line up position, but for the distance and conditions where under a vessel is going to arrive JIT. The FCFS concept interwoven with unbiased allocating of line-up positions is being retained as an integral part while VA applications are supported

IS SMOKING EFFECTIVE ON RECURRENCE AFTER ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ABLATION THERAPY?

Purpose: To investigate the recurrence rates after Atrial Fibrillation ablation therapy in smokers compared to nonsmokers