Role of Error-Recovery Process in Projects

To reduce errors in projects, knowledge about their causes, through examining their chain of events, and costs should be made available. With this in mind, this paper examines the role of the error recovery process in detecting human-related errors with reference to seven Swedish building construction projects. A total of 2,879 human errors were identified, and those that were found to be the most costly were examined in detail. Industry practitioners’ opinions as to how the identified errors could have been prevented were solicited. It was revealed that the major areas of error reduction lay with improving communication between participants, introducing incentives, improving resourcing levels in projects particularly during design, and the encouragement of individual and organizational learning. The paper concludes by suggesting that the most effective learning takes place in projects when the entire error-recovery process is performed (i.e., detection, indication, and correction) and not parts thereof.     

Use of magnetic nanoparticles as nanosensors to probe for molecular interactions

Biocompatible magnetic nanosensors have been designed to detect molecular interactions in biological media. Upon target binding, these nanosensors cause changes in the spin-spin relaxation times of neighboring water molecules, which can be detected by magnetic resonance (NMR/MRI) techniques. These magnetic nanosensors have been designed to detect specific mRNA, proteins, enzymatic activity, and pathogens (e.g., virus) with sensitivity in the low femtomole range (0.5-30 fmol).     

Surface-functionalized nanoparticle library yields probes for apoptotic cells

We have developed techniques for the efficient synthesis and screening of small libraries of surface-functionalized nanoparticles for the recognition of specific types of cells. To illustrate this concept we describe the development of a nanoparticle that preferentially recognizes apoptotic Jurkat cells in a manner similar to the apoptosis-recognizing protein annexin V. The nanoparticle, which is detectable by fluorescence or NMR relaxometry, was analyzed for the ability to recognize normal and apoptotic cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis and fluorescence microscopy. The capability to develop nanoparticles which interact with specific target cells could be applied to the design of materials for diverse applications including quantum dots, which serve as fluorescence tracers, colloidal gold, which serves as a tracer for electron micrographs, or the crystalline forms of drugs.     

Identifying management research priorities

An agenda for management research can be set by the academic community with more or less input from practising managers. The purpose of this note is to describe a model for collecting, structuring and analysing practitioner views of what should be the priorities for construction management research. A meeting with construction sector participants gave rise to proposals that were consolidated into 20 management themes. Next, a questionnaire sent to 260 individuals received 140 responses where these themes had been ranked and the strength of recent industry development for each theme assessed. Results show that high priority was assigned to leadership issues and identification of customer needs. The process should be possible to replicate abroad, although cultural differences are expected to influence priorities.     

Production of synthesis gas by partial oxidation and steam reforming of biomass pyrolysis oils

As the lowest cost biomass-derived liquids, pyrolysis oils (also called bio-oils) represent a promising vector for biomass to fuels conversion. However, bio-oils require upgrading to interface with existing infrastructure. A potential pathway for producing fuels from pyrolysis oils proceeds through gasification, the conversion to synthesis gas. In this work, the conversion of bio-oils to syngas via catalytic partial oxidation over Rh–Ce is evaluated using two reactor configurations. In one instance, pyrolysis oils are oxidized in excess steam in a freeboard and passed over the catalyst in a second zone. In the second instance, bio-oils are introduced directly to the catalyst. Coke formation is avoided in both configurations due to rapid oxidation. H₂ and CO can be produced autothermally over Rh–Ce catalysts with millisecond contact times. Co-processing of bio-oil with methane or methanol improved the reactor operation stability.     

Transnasal endoscopic repair of congenital choanal atresia: long-term results

Somatic mutations in the RET proto-oncogene are involved in the pathogenesis of an important subset (40-60%) of sporadic medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) and less frequently (0-31%) in benign, sporadic phaeochromocytomas. Since limited data exist regarding the significance of somatic RET mutations in malignant phaeochromocytomas, we analysed a multicentre series of proven malignant (i.e., metastasised) phaeochromocytomas. Analogous with MTCs, where RET mutations lead to an aggressive behaviour, we hypothesised that somatic mutations would occur more frequently in malignant than in benign phaeochromocytomas. Paraffin-embedded tissue was available from 29 malignant and 27 benign phaeochromocytomas. Exons 10, 11 and 16 were analysed by non-radioactive single-strand conformation polymorphism, heteroduplex gel electrophoresis, restriction enzyme digestion and aberrant band patterns by non-isotopic sequencing. In only 1 of 29 malignant phaeochromocytomas was a mis-sense mutation found (at codon 634 of exon 11), whereas in 15% (4/27) of the benign tumours a point mutation was detected (in 3 tumours in exon 16 at codon 918 and in 1 tumour in exon 10 at codon 618). Absence of these mutations in non-tumourous DNA proved their somatic origin. Contrary to what has been reported for MTCs, oncogenic RET mutations are not associated with an aggressive tumour behaviour in sporadic phaeochromocytomas.     

The Design and Testing of a Self-Actuated Shut down System for the Protection of Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactors (LMFBRS)

Most nuclear reactors are shut down automatically upon the receipt of an external electrical signal which actuates the shutdown device. The design and testing of a simple and reliable Self-Actuated Shutdown System (SASS) for the protection of Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactors (LMFBRs) is described here. Self-actuation refers to the capability of the system to be triggered by abnormal changes in reactor variables at the location of the device which can be in the reactor core itself. A ferromagnetic Curie temperature permanent magnet holding device has been selected for the design of the Self-Actuated Shutdown System in order to enhance the safety of liquid metal cooled fast reactors (LMFBRs). The self-actuated, self-contained device operates such that accident conditions, resulting in increased coolant temperature or neutron flux reduce the magnetic holding force suspending a neutron absorber above the core by raising the temperature of the trigger mechanism above the Curie point. Neutron absorber material is then inserted into the core, under gravity, terminating the accident. Two possible design variations of the selected concept are presented. The proposed designs derive the magnetic holding force from an Alnico V permanent magnet which drives the magnetic holding flux through the parting plane of a carbon steel magnetic circuit. Magnetic and thermal-hydraulic analyses have been performed which show the feasibility of the concept with respect to response time, holding force, and coolability. A series of experiments have been performed which demonstrate proof of principle of the selected Curie point magnetic hold device.