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Article
Publication date: 22 August 2024

Felice Di Nicola, Graziano Lonardi, Nicholas Fantuzzi and Raimondo Luciano

The paper aims to analyze the structural integrity of an existing offshore platform located in the Northern Adriatic Sea, followed by the topside decommissioning and the…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to analyze the structural integrity of an existing offshore platform located in the Northern Adriatic Sea, followed by the topside decommissioning and the re-utilization of the jacket as a wind turbine support. The structural integrity assessment against the in-place and the long-term actions is accomplished by using a reduced basis finite element method (RB-FEA) software program assessing the capability of the jacket to be used as a support for wind turbines at the end of its life cycle as oil and gas (O&G) platform.

Design/methodology/approach

The project starts by modeling the jacket, and subsequently, the structural analyses for the in-place loads in operative and extreme conditions are performed. Then, the fatigue analysis is carried out in order to define the cumulative damage necessary to evaluate the possibility to use the jacket as a wind turbine support.

Findings

The results show that the jacket, at the end of the service life as O&G platform, is able to withstand the loads produced by the installation of the wind turbine since the analyses are satisfied even with the conservative approach used which overestimates the thickness loss assuming a linear increasing value during the service life.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen approach, the study presents some limitations, especially concerning the real state of the platform which has been defined considering the thickness loss only. Additionally, a 1D model was used to perform the analyses, and hence, a 3D model could help in evaluating the critical points with higher precision.

Practical implications

The assessment of the structure could be improved by modeling a digital twin of the asset allowing a real-time monitoring which, however, involves a huge amount of data to be processed, so a suitable simulation technology must be used.

Originality/value

The RB-FEA proposed by Akselos is suitable to perform the analyses speeding up the processing of the data even in real time.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 February 2024

Ramiro García-Galán, Isabel Ortiz-Marcos and Rafael Molina-Sánchez

Teamwork is necessary for engineering to address today’s complex challenges. Therefore, team members must improve their teamwork competencies for more significant team development…

Abstract

Purpose

Teamwork is necessary for engineering to address today’s complex challenges. Therefore, team members must improve their teamwork competencies for more significant team development and effectiveness. This study aimed to analyze how a non-directive coaching intervention model for an entire team influences the individual team members’ teamwork competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

Action research was used in this study with a quasi-experimental design featuring control and experimental groups comprising final-year engineering students from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. The sample included 168 students, with 132 in the control group and 36 in the experimental group. The experimental group underwent a non-directive team coaching intervention involving three sessions. Competencies were evaluated using the teamwork competency test (TWCT), administered at the course’s beginning and end to measure progress.

Findings

The results show that the individuals who participated in the team coaching significantly increased their competencies, particularly “conflict resolution” and “feedback.”

Originality/value

This study’s value contributes to identifying the positive impacts of non-directive team coaching interventions on individual teamwork competencies, fostering collaborative skills and supporting collective goals.

Details

International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6854

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 September 2024

Qiuhan Wang and Xujin Pu

This research proposes a novel risk assessment model to elucidate the risk propagation process of industrial safety accidents triggered by natural disasters (Natech), identifies…

Abstract

Purpose

This research proposes a novel risk assessment model to elucidate the risk propagation process of industrial safety accidents triggered by natural disasters (Natech), identifies key factors influencing urban carrying capacity and mitigates uncertainties and subjectivity due to data scarcity in Natech risk assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing disaster chain theory and Bayesian network (BN), we describe the cascading effects of Natechs, identifying critical nodes of urban system failure. Then we propose an urban carrying capacity assessment method using the coefficient of variation and cloud BN, constructing an indicator system for infrastructure, population and environmental carrying capacity. The model determines interval values of assessment indicators and weights missing data nodes using the coefficient of variation and the cloud model. A case study using data from the Pearl River Delta region validates the model.

Findings

(1) Urban development in the Pearl River Delta relies heavily on population carrying capacity. (2) The region’s social development model struggles to cope with rapid industrial growth. (3) There is a significant disparity in carrying capacity among cities, with some trends contrary to urban development. (4) The Cloud BN outperforms the classical Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) gate fuzzy method in describing real-world fuzzy and random situations.

Originality/value

The present research proposes a novel framework for evaluating the urban carrying capacity of industrial areas in the face of Natechs. By developing a BN risk assessment model that integrates cloud models, the research addresses the issue of scarce objective data and reduces the subjectivity inherent in previous studies that heavily relied on expert opinions. The results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the classical fuzzy BNs.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 July 2024

Hyo Jung (Julie) Chang, Mohammad Abu Nasir Rakib, Md Kamrul Hasan Foysal and Jo Woon Chong

The comfort of apparel is not only a feeling of perception but also a tangible measure. The fit and fabric of clothing can exert a perception of comfort for the wearer, whereas…

Abstract

Purpose

The comfort of apparel is not only a feeling of perception but also a tangible measure. The fit and fabric of clothing can exert a perception of comfort for the wearer, whereas actual comfort largely depends on physiological and emotional soothing. However, there is still no solid work on connecting the bridge between physiological and emotional feelings to the comfort of clothing. In this study, we have conceptualized, formulated and proven the relation between physiological and emotional parameters with clothing fit and fabric to find the true comfort of the wearer.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method research design using physiological and emotional parameters for different fabric and fit combinations were used for this study. The physiological comfort parameters (i.e. heart rate and respiration rate) are extracted from the subjects using gold-standard clinical devices for various fit and fabric combinations. For the emotional response, a survey was conducted for the same subjects wearing all the fit and fabric combinations. Statistical analysis and modeling were performed to obtain the results.

Findings

Physiological indicators such as heart rate are closely linked with user comfort. Due to the limitations in environmental control, the physiological changes obtained did not significantly vary for different fabric and fit combinations of the clothing. However, a significant change in emotional response indicated a definite relationship between different fabric and fit types. Based on the participants’ responses, weather conditions, size of the clothing item, types of fabrics and style also influence the participants’ choice of clothing.

Originality/value

The research was conducted to discover the relation between true comfort (physiological and emotional parameters) and clothing (fit and fabric), which is unique to the field. This study closes the gap and builds up the relationship, which can help introduce clothing comfort to users in the future. The findings of this study help us understand how fabric types (natural or synthetic) and clothing fit types (loose or fitted) can affect physiological and emotional responses, which can provide the consumer with satisfactory clothing with the suitable properties needed.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 36 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 December 2022

Clare Davies, Donna Waters and Jennifer Anne Fraser

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a scoping review on the implementation of Article12 in health care. The scoping review will provide a summary and overview…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a scoping review on the implementation of Article12 in health care. The scoping review will provide a summary and overview of the key concepts and published literature on this topic internationally. Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) states that children have a right to express their views, to have them heard and for their views to be given due weight in all matters that affect them. Despite increased calls for Article 12 to be given attention in health care, there is little evidence to suggest this has been well implemented and embedded in Australian health-care delivery. The scoping review was undertaken to provide a summary and overview of the key concepts and published literature on this topic internationally.

Design/methodology/approach

A five-step methodological framework described by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) was used to undertake the scoping review. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis was used as a guideline for undertaking the study selection.

Findings

Children are still not routinely involved in health-care decision-making, are frequently left out of service planning and evaluation and the perception that they lack the capability to make rational decisions persists.

Originality/value

While there has been a focus on research that investigates children’s participation in health-care decision-making in recent years, there is little that directs attention specifically to the implementation of Article 12, particularly in Australian health care. Recommendations are made for further research in these areas.

Details

International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4902

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 July 2024

Paige Milburn, Carol Galvin, Amanda Louise Bryan and Patrick John Kennedy

Factors that may influence risk and/or vulnerability to radicalisation or involvement in terrorism by individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are currently undetermined…

Abstract

Purpose

Factors that may influence risk and/or vulnerability to radicalisation or involvement in terrorism by individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are currently undetermined. The purpose of this rapid evidence assessment (REA) was to identify and review studies which consider the association between ASD and terrorism to explore potential risk or vulnerability factors and the implications for intervention.

Design/methodology/approach

The REA method was used to review the literature, with 16 papers meeting inclusion criteria.

Findings

Ten factors were identified as relevant to ASD and terrorism which were combined into four overarching themes: cognitive, social, psychological and ASD traits.

Originality/value

This REA presents a novel review of literature relating to ASD and terrorism. The findings are valuable to practitioners working with individuals with ASD who may present with the identified risk and/or vulnerability factors. The implications of these factors for intervention are discussed, along with directions for future research.

Details

Safer Communities, vol. 23 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-8043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 February 2024

Sophie Hennekam and Kayla Follmer

This article provides an overview of lessons we can learn from human resource (HR) policies and practices related to neurodiversity.

Abstract

Purpose

This article provides an overview of lessons we can learn from human resource (HR) policies and practices related to neurodiversity.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted a practice-based review using information obtained from organizations’ websites, summarized the information and reflected on how scholars can continue to advance this area of research based on what is happening in practice.

Findings

The review provided a selective overview of programs and practices per HR cluster: selection and recruitment; onboarding, integration and retention; job design; flexible work options and working remotely; training; employee resource groups (ESGs) and support. The review provides a description of practices and policies implemented within organizations that focus on neurodiversity among employees.

Originality/value

Our review showed that organizations have a multitude of HR practices and policies in place to include neurodivergent individuals in their workforces, though many of these have not been empirically investigated. Sharing this knowledge is important so that research insights and practice can reciprocally influence one another.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 43 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

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