Amec Foster Wheeler (Czechia)

The purpose of this study among pregnant and postpartum Black women was twofold: (1) to compare levels of perceived stress, depressive symptoms, social support, and neighborhood disorder and crime before the pandemic vs during the pandemic; and (2) to examine the association of perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and social support with neighborhood disorder and crime at both time points. This was a prospective study as part of the Biosocial Impact on Black Births, a longitudinal study that examined the role of maternal factors on preterm birth among Black women. A sample of 143 women were included who responded to survey questions during pregnancy prior to the pandemic and again after birth, during the pandemic. Women completed the COVID survey between May 21, 2020, and January 28, 2021. The levels of perceived stress (70.75 and 76.28, respectively, P <.01) and social support (17.01 and 18.78, respectively, P <.01) were lower during the pandemic than prior to the pandemic. Social support, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with the pre-pandemic measures of perceived neighborhood disorder and crime. Perceived stress and depressive symptoms were also significantly correlated with pandemic measures of perceived neighborhood. Women reported lower levels of perceived stress during the pandemic than prior to the pandemic, but neighborhood characteristics were consistently associated with perceived stress and depressive symptoms both prior to and during the pandemic. Further exploration is warranted to better understand these relationships.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been increasingly linked in population research to psychiatric problems as well as substance use and related harms, suggesting that individuals with TBI may also present more frequently to mental health and addictions (MHA) services. Little is known, however, about TBI history among MHA service users. The objectives of this review were to understand (i) the prevalence of TBI history among MHA service users; (ii) how TBI history is identified in MHA service settings; and (iii) predictors or outcomes of TBI that have been reported in MHA service users. A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA Scoping Review Extension guidelines. A search for relevant literature was conducted in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, and Embase as well as various gray literature sources. Twenty-eight relevant studies were identified. TBI was defined and operationalized heterogeneously between studies, and TBI history prevalence rates ranged considerably among the study samples. The included studies used varied methods to identify TBI history in MHA settings, such as clinical chart audits, single-item questions, or structured questionnaires (eg, Brain Injury Screening Questionnaire or Ohio State University TBI Identification Method). TBI history was most consistently associated with indicators of more severe substance use problems and mental health symptoms as well as increased aggression or risk to others. Studies reported less consistent findings regarding the relationship of TBI to physical health, cognitive impairment, functioning, risk to self, and type of psychiatric diagnosis. Screening for TBI history in MHA settings may contribute important information for risk assessment and care planning. However, to be clinically useful, assessment of TBI history will require consistent operationalization of TBI as well as use of validated screening methods.

Distinguishing the effects of naturally caused historical fragmentation from those of contemporary landscape modification is critically important to understanding the consequences of human influences on patterns of gene flow and population dynamics. Nonetheless, relatively few recent studies focusing on this issue have dealt with species that showed evidence of historical fragmentation. In the current study, we disentangled the effects of fragmentation operating over separate timescales on two darter species, Etheostoma cragini and E. microperca, from the Ozark Highlands. Formerly more wide-spread within this region in Arkansas, these species now occur only in highly isolated habitats (i.e., spring-runs). We separated fragmentation effects at distinct spatial and temporal scales by using several molecular loci (i.e., mtDNA/nuclear DNA/nuclear microsatellite DNA), as well as a variety of analytical approaches. Sequence divergence among Ozark and northern populations of E. microperca indicate long-standing isolation resulting from vicariant events. Both species were further isolated in unique ‘island’ habitats, sometimes at fine spatial scales, as shown by sequence divergence among Ozark Highland populations of E. cragini. Microsatellite data also revealed additional subdivision among Arkansas populations with E. cragini divided into three distinct populations and E. microperca into two. Overall, migration rates were similar among contemporary and historical time periods although patterns of asymmetric migration were inverted for E. cragini. Estimates of contemporary effective population size (Ne) were substantially lower for both species than past population sizes. Overall, historical processes involving natural fragmentation have had long-lasting effects on these species, potentially making them more susceptible to current anthropogenic impacts.

Abstract Fog in northern climates and Arctic environs can be a risk to helicopter operations and shipping interests, as are high seas from severe storms that frequent these regions. Visibility conditions and forecasts determine whether helicopters can safely land on offshore facilities, or if personnel will need to be transferred by ship. High sea state conditions can affect offshore oil and gas exploration and production operations, including drilling, logistics, crane operations and emergency response. A workshop on Metocean Monitoring and Forecasting for the Newfoundland &amp; Labrador Offshore, held 22-24 September 2014, identified the need of improving the visibility and severe sea state forecasting for Grand Banks which can have a positive contribution to safety and operations in the harsh North Atlantic Canada offshore environment. This has led to an open and collaborative multi-year Metocean Research and Development Project that is presently in its third year. Some twenty government, academic, and industry agencies are participating in this project. Detailed buoy and offshore installations-based scientific measurements have been collected over the past three years where previously there has been a lack of good quality observations. A climatology of low visibility (less than 1km) events shows a high frequency (about 55% of the time) during summer months. A "conceptual model" of Grand Banks fog has been developed, that defines the physical conditions under which fog develops, is maintained, moves and dissipates. The conceptual model will be the basis for the development of new visibility prediction systems which currently are not well established or verified. High seas, with wave heights over 6m, occur more frequently during winter. Sea state prediction systems are being evaluated for severe ocean wave conditions where they have reduced predictive skill. Currently, work is underway to establish the accuracy and consistency of several existing visibility and sea state prediction systems. This paper will illustrate results from the climatological studies and some of the unique metocean monitoring data being collected. The forecasting techniques (e.g. numerical atmospheric and oceanic prediction models, satellite-based schemes, and rules based systems) being evaluated, are outlined.

The paper presents the results of macro and microstructure testing and of hardness measurements of submerged arc welded joints of VM12SHC steel pipes (special high corrosion resistance, X12CrCoWVNbN12-2-2) with flat bars made of 10CrMo910 steel, intended for operation in elevated temperature. The tests were performed on welded joints that were not heat-treated and welded joints that were annealed (at 735-745°C for 0.5 hours) after welding. The results of the tests were used as a base to elaborate a Welding Procedure Specification.

The ability to measure, predict, and compute tsunami flow velocities is of importance in risk assessment and hazard mitigation. Substantial damage can be done by high velocity flows, particularly in harbors and bays, even when the wave height is small. Moreover, advancing the study of sediment transport and tsunami deposits depends on the accurate interpretation and modeling of tsunami flow velocities and accelerations. Until recently, few direct measurements of tsunami velocities existed to compare with model results. During the 11 March 2011 Tohoku Tsunami 328 current meters were in place around the Hawaiian Islands, USA, that captured time series of water velocity in 18 locations, in both harbors and deep channels, at a series of depths. We compare several of these velocity records against numerical simulations performed using the GeoClaw numerical tsunami model, based on solving the depth-averaged shallow water equations with adaptive mesh refinement, to confirm that this model can accurately predict velocities at nearshore locations. Model results demonstrate tsunami current velocity is more spatially variable than wave form or height and therefore may be a more sensitive variable for model validation.

With a nosocomial pressure ulcer rate higher than national benchmarks, leaders convened a quality improvement team to address the issue. The authors discuss the implementation of a new skin "always practice" initiative across the continuum of care and its outcomes.

Abstract Governments and Operators are researching the potential for the development of floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facilities as a means to monetize gas reserves and to eliminate flaring of natural gas associated with oil extraction. Floating Production Storage and Offtake (FPSO) vessel hulls may be constructed in either steel or concrete. Concrete hull structures offer a number of advantages for the support of cryogenic facilities and the storage of produced liquids. Additionally, concrete substructures may be constructed in country using a significant proportion of locally procured materials and labor. A concrete FPSO solution has been developed to support a two LNG train facility. The concrete hull may be configured to be much larger than traditional steel FPSO alternatives and need not limit the liquid storage volume or deck area. The proposed solution has sufficient deck area to allow the topside facilities to be configured with some modularization and preassembly using vendor supplied skids. Cryogenic liquid containment requirements have been reviewed for the offshore storage. It is concluded that "double" liquid containment should be adopted rather than the "partial double" containment typical of LNG carrier ships. The adoption of the double containment design criteria has implications for the alternate storage systems, membrane or prismatic self-supporting tanks. It is accepted that the membrane system can be shown to be double containment and is well suited to a concrete FPSO application. The prismatic self-supporting tankage system requires further development, but could also be used. Concrete hull vessels can be shown to be durable and stable. The proposed CFPSO arrangement has a wide beam that ensures superior stability and low motions in extreme environmental conditions. The proposed CFPSO construction could be carried out in country and has been shown to be feasible for several locations. Indicative costs are provided, which are competitive with other alternatives, especially on a life cycle evaluation. The 9MMTPA LNG production CFPSO may be completed within 43 months of EPIC contract signing. Introduction Governments and offshore oil and gas field operators are researching means by which natural gas from associated and stranded gas fields may be monetized. In addition, governments are legislating to limit or prohibit the flaring of gas associated with oil production. The result is an increasing interest in the development of offshore gas liquefaction installations, in particular the development of floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facilities. The primary focus of floating LNG proposals has beendirected toward steel hulled floating, production storage and offtake (FPSO) vessels. Steel hulled FPSOs may be procured from established shipyards and fitted out at an offshore fabrication and assembly facility. Established fabrication and assembly facilities are located in East Asia, Northern Europe and North America. Construction of the hull and topside facilities in a shipyard offers a number of benefits including contractor competition at bid stage. However, shipyards generally do not have the dock facilities to construct large concrete substructures. An alternative procurement strategy that incorporates local construction in purpose built graving docks is better suited to both the concrete substructure option and a procurement strategy that seeks to assemble the production facility locally..

After completing their critical care rotations, pediatric residents are expected to have acquired skills in the resuscitation of critically ill newborns and children. Recent Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) guidelines have limited the time devoted to critical care training during pediatric residency. We sought to determine how individual programs have structured their critical care training experience in light of these changes. A questionnaire was mailed to each pediatric residency program listed in the 1996-1997 Graduate Medical Education Directory. Information was obtained regarding the structure of critical care training. Data were analyzed using descriptive techniques, one-way analysis of variance with Scheffé post hoc test, and Fisher exact test as appropriate. Data were received from 149 programs (71% response rate). Most programs were in compliance with ACGME standards regarding the number of months devoted to neonatal intensive care, pediatric intensive care, and emergency medicine. There were no significant differences in the total number of rotations in either the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) when the programs were stratified by size. There were no significant differences in the percentage of programs requiring night call in either the NICU or the PICU during off-service months. However, small programs (< 25 residents) required significantly fewer rotations in emergency medicine (P < 0.001). Most programs complemented the critical care experience by offering additional rotations and advanced life support training. Pediatric residency programs have structured their critical care rotations in a similar fashion in accordance with ACGME guidelines. The success in meeting the stated objectives, as measured by the ability of graduating residents to stabilize critically ill children, is not known and will require further study.

Abstract In order to select a proper heat exchanger for a given application, various factors such as pressure, temperature, size, fouling factor, and the use of toxic or corrosive fluids must be considered. These pressure and temperature requirements mainly dictate the type of heat exchanger selected. In general, for high pressures and temperatures, tubular heat exchangers that conform to safety regulations and manufacturing codes are used. For moderate pressures, small but very efficient plate heat exchangers can be employed.There are three heat‐transfer modes, ie, conduction, convection, and radiation, each of which may play a role in the selection of a heat exchanger for a particular application. The basic design principles of heat exchangers are also important, as are the analysis methods employed to determine the right size heat exchanger. The shell‐and‐tube exchanger is the workhorse of power, chemical, refining, and other industries. Plate heat exchangers are used as an alternative in relatively low temperature and pressure applications involving liquids and two‐phase flows. Cold‐plate heat exchangers are used for electronics cooling applications.Heat exchangers are used whenever energy has to be transferred, and the proper design and use of heat exchangers are vitally important for efficient operation of an industrial system, for energy conservation, and ultimately for the protection of the environment. There are numerous design and operating problems originating from a lack of understanding of basic flows and heat‐transfer phenomena such as flow distribution in manifolds, flow‐induced vibration in two‐phase flows, heat‐transfer enhancement, fouling, etc.In order to help companies and organizations overcome problems associated with heat exchangers, for example, Heat Transfer Research Inc. (HTRI) (U.S) and the Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Service (HTFS) (UK) provide results of heat‐transfer and fluid‐flow research, design methods, supporting computer programs, and proprietary equipment testing.