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Article
Publication date: 14 March 2016

Hans Wolff, Alejandra Casillas, Thomas Perneger, Patrick Heller, Diane Golay, Elisabeth Mouton, Patrick Bodenmann and Laurent Getaz

Prison institutional conditions affect risk for self-harm among detainees. In particular, prison overcrowding may increase the likelihood of self-harm by creating competition for…

Abstract

Purpose

Prison institutional conditions affect risk for self-harm among detainees. In particular, prison overcrowding may increase the likelihood of self-harm by creating competition for resources, space, and enhancing a “deprivation state.” The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between overcrowding and prisoner acts of self-harm.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study took place at Geneva’s pre-trial prison (capacity:376) between 2006 and 2014. Outcomes were acts of self-harm that required medical attention, and self-strangulation/hanging events (combined into one group, as these are difficult to differentiate). Dichotomous predictors were overcrowding index- annual mean daily population divided by capacity ( > 200 percent vs < 200 percent), and year group (2006-2009 vs 2011-2014).

Findings

Self-harm and self-strangulations/hangings increased in 2011-2014 compared to 2006-2010 (p < 0.001). Overcrowding in excess of 200 percent was associated with self-strangulation/hangings (p < 0.001) but not with all self-harm events. In terms of pertinent demographics that would affect self-harm, there was no prison change in gender, area of origin, foreign residency, religion, or psychiatric treatment.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is limited by the definition and identification of self-harm. The distinction between self-strangulation and self-hanging, and the precise classification of an intent to die is difficult to make in practice, especially with limited prison data records available. The relevant literature addresses the complexity of the association between non-suicidal and suicidal behavior. Despite this, the combined category self-strangulations/hangings gives some indication of severe self-harm events, especially since the methodology of categorization employed was consistent throughout the entire period of the study. Other limitations include the small sample size and the lack of individual patient data and prison data to help control for confounding factors. Despite these drawbacks, pertinent data (socio-demographics and number of prisoners treated for mental health and drug abuse) remained stable over the years. Thus, there are no apparent changes in the inmate population that could be linked to an increase in self-harm. High-security placements and mean prisoner stay have increased over time, with a decrease in staff to prisoner ratio – and these must be looked into further as contributors. Additionally, qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews and focus groups could delineate the impact of overcrowding on prisoner well-being and self-harm potential.

Practical implications

The authors observed a significant increase in self-harm and self-strangulation/hangings over time, and overcrowding was significantly associated with self-strangulation/hangings (but not with all self-harm events). Overcrowding can impose destructive effects on the psychological and behavioral well being of inmates in prison, influencing a myriad of emotional and livelihood factors that predispose to harmful behavior.

Originality/value

This report should alert public health and prison authorities to this issue, and garner resources to address such an alarming rise. The findings from this short report demonstrate the need for a further examination of the mechanisms affecting self-harm among prisoners in this population, particularly the relationship between self-strangulations/hangings and overcrowding.

Details

International Journal of Prisoner Health, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1744-9200

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2015

Huirong Cui and Yinong Yan

Garment manufacturing is a traditional industry with global competition. The most critical part is streamline, as it generally involves a great number of operations. The purpose…

Abstract

Purpose

Garment manufacturing is a traditional industry with global competition. The most critical part is streamline, as it generally involves a great number of operations. The purpose of this paper is to, based on the model of group technology (GT), sum up the methods of assembly line optimization to optimize the streamline, so that the machines of the workstation can perform the assigned tasks with a balanced loading.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the methods of obtaining and optimizing data includes literature, research and optimization methods of basing on GT model. The main direction of literature has two aspects: Lean production theory and streamline assignment. Research mainly concludes three aspects: research place, research object and the research content. The method of time determination is averaging the testing values of repeated measurements. Optimization methods of basing on GT model mainly include combination of the same type of technologic processes in sequence, combination of independent branch process, the combination of mainstream and branch processes and offside combination of the same type of processes.

Findings

After optimization, in the utilization rate of equipment: hanging system ratio was increased from 22.95 to 62.12 percent, which greatly improved the utilization rate of enterprise equipment. In equipment layout: hanging equipment layout was turned linear type into “U” type, which realized the synchronization of production. GT model will be well applied in the garment production streamline. Compared with other enterprises, A company has large garment hanging system, which reflects the advanced, comprehensive, representative. Therefore, the paper applied optimization methods to trousers, production efficiency has been improved greatly, the utilization rate of equipment is promoted and reworking phenomenon is reduced greatly.

Research limitations/implications

Through the optimization of the production process and equipment layout, the A company’s compiling efficiency has been greatly improved, but how can the system become computerized, accurately and intelligence, which has been an important direction of research now.

Practical implications

By optimizing, it is fully proved that applying GT to the streamline optimization is feasible. GT is an important branch of Lean production, summing up the optimization methods basing on the GT model to optimize the streamline not only enriches the relevant theory research, but also provides a theoretical basis for the practical production. GT model not only can be used in the shirt production process, as for other production processes, for example, trousers, skirts can also be widely applied, which realizes the theory application in the practical production.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is that through the analysis of the model of GT, the paper sums up the methods of assembly line optimization to optimize the streamline. Although the model of GT is used widely in electronics, automobile and industry, it is relatively weak in the optimization of garment production line, there are not many literatures on practical application of group technology in the clothing. Besides, the paper is applied to practical production, which not only can improve production efficiency, but also make the theoretical research have basis and combine the theory and practical production.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 27 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2023

Faisal Mehraj Wani, Jayaprakash Vemuri and Rajaram Chenna

The objective of the study is to examine the response of reinforced concrete (RC) structures subjected to Near-Fault Ground Motions (NFGM) and highlight the importance of…

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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of the study is to examine the response of reinforced concrete (RC) structures subjected to Near-Fault Ground Motions (NFGM) and highlight the importance of considering various factors including the influence of the relative geographical position of near-fault sites that can affect the structural response during an earthquake.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the response of a four-storey RC building subjected to NFGMs with varied characteristics like hanging wall and footwall in conjunction with directivity and the effect of pulse-like ground motions with rupture direction are investigated to understand the combined influence of these factors on the behavior of the structure. Furthermore, the capacity and demand of the structural element are investigated for computing the performance ratio.

Findings

Results from this study indicate that the most unfavorable combinations for structural damage due to near-fault ground motion are the hanging wall with forward rupture, the fault normal component of ground motions, and pulse-like ground motions with forward directivity.

Originality/value

The results from this study provide valuable insight into the response of RC structures subjected to NFGM and highlight the importance of considering various factors that can affect the structural response during an earthquake. Moreover, the computation of capacity and demand of the critical beam indicates exceedance of desired limits, resulting in the early deterioration of the structural elements. Finally, the analytical analysis from the present study confirms that the hanging wall with forward ruptures, pulse-like motions, and fling steps are the most unfavorable combinations for seismic structural damage.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 March 2009

Sameer Kumar and Michael Sosnoski

This study sets out to highlight how a leading manufacturer of tooling, with its continuous improvement drive, has leveraged DMAIC Six Sigma potential to realize cost savings and…

6172

Abstract

Purpose

This study sets out to highlight how a leading manufacturer of tooling, with its continuous improvement drive, has leveraged DMAIC Six Sigma potential to realize cost savings and improved quality on their shopfloor. The study examines one of the shopfloor chronic quality issues which deals with finding a way to reduce the amount of warp incurred in Amada A‐Station punches during the heat‐treat process.

Design/methodology//approach

The goals of this specific study were achieved by utilizing Six Sigma tools such as “brainstorming, process mapping, fish‐bone diagrams, histograms, and control charts”.

Findings

The analysis resulted in a number of findings and recommendations. A major contributor to the warp was the method used to fix the parts. It was found that, by using a new fixture to hang the parts, the amount of warp could be greatly reduced. The major recommendation was that the new heat‐treat fixture design be implemented as soon as a reliable fixture design has been proven. The value of implementing this new fixture design equates to roughly $10,000 per year in savings, which is due to the elimination of a secondary grinding operation and elimination of scrap parts. The company expects millions of dollars in annual savings as DMAIC Six Sigma process is rolled out to areas on the shopfloor.

Originality/value

The case study shows DMAIC Six Sigma process is an effective and novel approach for the machining and fabrication industries to improve the quality of their processes and products and profitability through driving down manufacturing costs.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 58 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 November 2022

Zhiqiang Zhang, Xingyu Zhu and Ronghua Wei

Large displacement misalignment under the action of active faults can cause complex three-dimensional deformation in subway tunnels, resulting in severe damage, distortion and…

Abstract

Purpose

Large displacement misalignment under the action of active faults can cause complex three-dimensional deformation in subway tunnels, resulting in severe damage, distortion and misalignment. There is no developed system of fortification and related codes to follow. There are scientific problems and technical challenges in this field that have never been encountered in past research and practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopted a self-designed large-scale active fault dislocation simulation loading system to conduct a similar model test of the tunnel under active fault dislocation based on the open-cut tunnel project of the Urumqi Rail Transit Line 2, which passes through the Jiujiawan normal fault. The test simulated the subway tunnel passing through the normal fault, which is inclined at 60°. This research compared and analyzed the differences in mechanical behavior between two types of lining section: the open-cut double-line box tunnel and the modified double-line box arch tunnel. The structural response and failure characteristics of the open-cut segmented lining of the tunnel under the stick-slip part of the normal fault were studied.

Findings

The results indicated that the double-line box arch tunnel improved the shear and longitudinal bending performance. Longitudinal cracks were mainly distributed in the baseplate, wall foot and arch foot, and the crack position was basically consistent with the longitudinal distribution of surrounding rock pressure. This indicated that the longitudinal cracks were due to the large local load of the cross-section of the structure, leading to an excessive local bending moment of the structure, which resulted in large eccentric failure of the lining and formation of longitudinal cracks. Compared with the ordinary box section tunnel, the improved double-line box arch tunnel significantly reduced the destroyed and damage areas of the hanging wall and footwall. The damage area and crack length were reduced by 39 and 59.3%, respectively. This indicates that the improved double-line box arch tunnel had good anti-sliding performance.

Originality/value

This paper adopted a self-designed large-scale active fault dislocation simulation loading system to conduct a similar model test of the tunnel under active fault dislocation. This system increased the similarity ratio of the test model, improved the dislocation loading rate and optimized the simulation scheme of the segmented flexible lining and other key factors affecting the test. It is of great scientific significance and engineering value to investigate the structure of subway tunnels under active fault misalignment, to study its force characteristics and damage modes, and to provide a technical reserve for the design and construction of subway tunnels through active faults.

Details

Railway Sciences, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2755-0907

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 June 2006

Josephine May

This paper aims to engage with the cinematic history of Australian education by examining the historical representation of secondary schools in two Australian feature films of the…

Abstract

This paper aims to engage with the cinematic history of Australian education by examining the historical representation of secondary schools in two Australian feature films of the 1970s: Picnic at Hanging Rock (Weir, 1975) and The Getting of Wisdom (Beresford, 1977). By what narrative strategies, metaphors and understandings were Australian high schools encoded into images and how might these interpretations differ from written accounts of the secondary schools? The discussion focuses on the social and material worlds of the schools. It reflects on the types of education depicted and the characterisations of teachers and students, including consideration of gender, class, and sexualities. The paper asks: what was the historical understanding of secondary schools that made them so attractive for cinematic explorations of Australian national identity in the 1970s?

Details

History of Education Review, vol. 35 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0819-8691

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 July 2008

Pavel Kus, Pavel Solin and Ivo Dolezel

This paper seeks to describe the solution of a simple electrostatic problem using an adaptive hp‐FEM and to show the benefits of this approach. Numerical experiments are presented…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to describe the solution of a simple electrostatic problem using an adaptive hp‐FEM and to show the benefits of this approach. Numerical experiments are presented to demonstrate its superiority.

Design/methodology/approach

Adaptive hp‐FEM is used. In contrast with standard FEM, the automatic adaptivity procedure can choose from a variety of refinement candidates. An element with over estimated error can be refined in space, or its polynomial degree can be increased. Arbitrary level hanging nodes are allowed, so that no unnecessary refinements are performed in order to keep a mesh regular.

Findings

Numerical solution of a singular electrostatic problem is presented. From the comparison it can be seen that the hp‐FEM outperforms both the standard linear and quadratic elements significantly. The accuracy of an hp‐FEM solution would be hard to attain by standard means due to the limited capacity of the computer memory.

Originality/value

The paper describes results obtained from an original and innovative implementation of the adaptive hp‐FEM.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 27 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1980

Alan Richards

For Tibbett & Britten, the achievement of the 1970s was to ‘sell’ to retailers the concept of hanging garment distribution. Now they have developed a range of services to help…

Abstract

For Tibbett & Britten, the achievement of the 1970s was to ‘sell’ to retailers the concept of hanging garment distribution. Now they have developed a range of services to help fashion retailers with their presentation. RDM spoke to Managing Director Alan Richards on the company's plans for the future.

Details

Retail and Distribution Management, vol. 8 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-2363

Book part
Publication date: 6 May 2008

Walter E. Little

In Mesoamerica, the processes of making and using hand-woven cloth are well known ritual and mundane practices often regarded as markers of primordial identity and clear…

Abstract

In Mesoamerica, the processes of making and using hand-woven cloth are well known ritual and mundane practices often regarded as markers of primordial identity and clear indications of deep historical continuities with the pre-Columbian past. This chapter analyzes a set of commemorative wall hangings from Tecpán, Guatemala from the perspective of ritual economy to argue that ritual weaving persists in contemporary Mesoamerica within global economic contexts. The Tecpán textiles contain multiple significations that, in addition to indicating cultural continuities and community identity, symbolically link hamlets to the municipality, represent development projects completed, and symbolize the connections these hamlets have to the broader global economy. This analysis of weaving and cloth is contextualized within the cultural and economic conditions of Tecpán in order to discuss the interrelationship between the ritual and the mundane, as well as what hand-woven cloth means to contemporary Maya weavers.

Details

Dimensions of Ritual Economy
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-546-8

Book part
Publication date: 14 October 2011

Thaddeus Müller

The focus of this chapter is on the experience of safety by Dutch seniors in a multicultural neighbourhood and how this is shaped by their labelling of immigrant men in public…

Abstract

The focus of this chapter is on the experience of safety by Dutch seniors in a multicultural neighbourhood and how this is shaped by their labelling of immigrant men in public space. I describe how meaning is given to immigrants in general, and more specifically, to immigrant men who hang around in public places. This research is based on ongoing interactions with 30 senior citizens (above 60 years of age) over a period of two years and shows that regular and fleeting interethnic contact has major but opposing influences on how the presence of ethnic men in public space is perceived. Those who have prolonged interethnic contact over years tend to normalize the behaviour of ‘immigrant men hanging around’; those who do not have these contacts tend to use the populist rhetoric in media and politics to criminalize this behaviour.

Details

Studies in Symbolic Interaction
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-156-5

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