Tailoring Psychosocial Risk Assessment in the Oil and Gas Industry by Exploring Specific and Common Psychosocial Risks

Bergh, Linn Iren Vestly,Leka, Stavroula,Zwetsloot, Gerard I.J.M. Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2018 Safety and health at work Vol.9 No.1

Background: Psychosocial risk management [Psychosocial Risk Management Approach (PRIMA)] has, through the years, been applied in several organizations in various industries and countries globally. PRIMA principles have also been translated into international frameworks, such as PRIMA-EF (European framework) and the World Health Organization Healthy Workplace Framework. Over the past 10 years, an oil and gas company has put efforts into adopting and implementing international frameworks and standards for psychosocial risk management. More specifically, the company uses a PRIMA. Methods: This study explores available quantitative and qualitative risk data collected through the PRIMA method over the past 8 years in order to explore specific and common psychosocial risks in the petroleum industry. Results: The analyses showed a significant correlation between job resources and symptoms of work-related stress, there was a significant correlation between job demands and symptoms of work-related stress, and there were differences in psychosocial risk factors and symptoms of work-related stress onshore and offshore. The study also offers recommendations on how the results can further be utilized in building a robust system for managing psychosocial risks in the industry. Conclusion: The results from the analyses have provided meaningful and important information about the company-specific psychosocial risk factors and their impact on health and well-being.

REVIEW OF 15 YEARS OF HIGH-DENSITY LOW-ENRICHED UMo DISPERSION FUEL DEVELOPMENT FOR RESEARCH REACTORS IN EUROPE

Van Den Berghe, S.,Lemoine, P. Korean Nuclear Society 2014 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.46 No.2

This review aims to provide a synthesis of the knowledge generated and the lessons learned in roughly 15 years of UMo dispersion fuel R&D in Europe through a series of irradiation experiments. A lot of irradiations were also performed outside of Europe, particularly in the USA, Russia, Canada, Korea and Argentina. In addition, a large number of out-of-pile investigations were done throughout the world, providing support to the understanding of the phenomena governing the UMo behaviour in pile. However, the focus of this article will be on the irradiations and Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE) results obtained in European experiments. The introduction of the article provides a historic overview of the evolution and progress in the high density UMo dispersion fuel development. The ensuing sections then provide further details on the various phases of the development, from the UMo dispersion in a pure Al matrix through the addition of Si to the matrix to address the interaction layer formation and finally to the more advanced solutions to the excessive swelling encountered in various experiments. This review was based only on published results or results that are currently in the process of being published.

Tailoring Psychosocial Risk Assessment in the Oil and Gas Industry by Exploring Specific and Common Psychosocial Risks

Linn Iren Vestly Bergh,Stavroula Leka,Gerard I.J.M. Zwetsloot 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2018 Safety and health at work Vol.9 No.1

Background: Psychosocial risk management [Psychosocial Risk Management Approach (PRIMA)] has, through the years, been applied in several organizations in various industries and countries globally. PRIMA principles have also been translated into international frameworks, such as PRIMA-EF (European framework) and the World Health Organization Healthy Workplace Framework. Over the past 10 years, an oil and gas company has put efforts into adopting and implementing international frameworks and standards for psychosocial risk management. More specifically, the company uses a PRIMA. Methods: This study explores available quantitative and qualitative risk data collected through the PRIMA method over the past 8 years in order to explore specific and common psychosocial risks in the petroleum industry. Results: The analyses showed a significant correlation between job resources and symptoms of workrelated stress, there was a significant correlation between job demands and symptoms of work-related stress, and there were differences in psychosocial risk factors and symptoms of work-related stress onshore and offshore. The study also offers recommendations on how the results can further be utilized in building a robust system for managing psychosocial risks in the industry. Conclusion: The results from the analyses have provided meaningful and important information about the company-specific psychosocial risk factors and their impact on health and well-being.

Review of 15 years of High-density Low-enriched UMo Dispersion Fuel Development for Research Reactors in Europe

S. Van den Berghe,LEMOINE 한국원자력학회 2014 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.46 No.2

This review aims to provide a synthesis of the knowledge generated and the lessons learned in roughly 15 years of UModispersion fuel R&D in Europe through a series of irradiation experiments. A lot of irradiations were also performed outside ofEurope, particularly in the USA, Russia, Canada, Korea and Argentina. In addition, a large number of out-of-pileinvestigations were done throughout the world, providing support to the understanding of the phenomena governing the UMobehaviour in pile. However, the focus of this article will be on the irradiations and Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE) resultsobtained in European experiments. The introduction of the article provides a historic overview of the evolution and progress in the high density UModispersion fuel development. The ensuing sections then provide further details on the various phases of the development, fromthe UMo dispersion in a pure Al matrix through the addition of Si to the matrix to address the interaction layer formation andfinally to the more advanced solutions to the excessive swelling encountered in various experiments. This review was based only on published results or results that are currently in the process of being published.

Sustainable Design of Rural Roads with 2+1 Road Design: Levels of Service and Traffic Flow Performance

최재성,김영록,Torsten Bergh,김상엽,김성규 대한토목학회 2016 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.20 No.3

This paper provides research results of a study to assess the driver performance levels of a 2+1 road, a special type of road involving intermediate cross section that is applied where a four-lane roadway construction is unjustifiable and the use of a two-lane road design may not provide the desired level of mobility. Despite increased driver safety, the use of the 2+1 road involves a problem that the South Korean government cannot assess the mobility effects of 2+1 roads, because the current Korean Highway Capacity Manual lacks the level of service procedure for 2+1 roads. Hence, research is required to provide potential measures of effectiveness for describing traffic flows in 2+1 roads and establish a reliable level of service analysis procedure. To address this issue, we applied the following approach: (1) existing research concerning 2+1 road design and flow performance was reviewed; (2) a field study was conducted in 2+1 roads with video cameras and traffic detectors to investigate traffic flow conditions; (3) candidate measures of effectiveness for describing traffic flow in 2+1 roads were identified based on field study results as well as TWOPAS simulation efforts; and (4) an analysis procedure applicable to determine levels of traffic flow service for 2+1 roads was proposed. We also examined how our proposed procedure would perform based on a case study. It was found that the percent time spent following would represent the most appropriate measures of effectiveness and that realistic output may be produced with our proposed procedure.

Technique Review : Optical Tools to Investigate Cellular Activity in the Intestinal Wall

( Werend Boesmans ),( Marlene M Hao ),( Pieter Vanden Berghe ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2015 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.21 No.3

Live imaging has become an essential tool to investigate the coordinated activity and output of cellular networks. Within the last decade, 2 Nobel prizes have been awarded to recognize innovations in the field of imaging: one for the discovery, use, and optimization of the green fluorescent protein (2008) and the second for the development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy (2014). New advances in both optogenetics and microscopy now enable researchers to record and manipulate activity from specific populations of cells with better contrast and resolution, at higher speeds, and deeper into live tissues. In this review, we will discuss some of the recent developments in microscope technology and in the synthesis of fluorescent probes, both synthetic and genetically encoded. We focus on how live imaging of cellular physiology has progressed our understanding of the control of gastrointestinal motility, and we discuss the hurdles to overcome in order to apply the novel tools in the field of neurogastroenterology and motility. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2015;21:337-351)

Validation of Octanoate Breath Test for Measuring Gastric Emptying in Rats

( Ingrid Demedts ),( Christophe Vanormelingen ),( Hubert Van Billoen ),( Tim Vanuytsel ),( Ricard Farre ),( Tatsuhiro Masaoka ),( Alfons Verbruggen ),( Kristien Verbeke ),( Pieter Vanden Berghe ),( Ja 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2013 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.19 No.2

Background/Aims Lack of simple and repeatable tests hampers gastric emptying studies in rats. The aim of this study was to adapt the 14C octanoate solid gastric emptying breath test for application in rats, and to validate it against radioscintigraphic method. Methods After ingestion of a meal containing 3 mCi 99mTc and 2 μCi 14C-octanoate, 23 male Wistar rats were placed on a gamma cam-era in a airflow container. Scintigraphic images were taken at regular intervals. The amount of 14CO2 in a regularly replaced hyamine hydroxide solution, capturing CO2 in the outflow air, was counted using liquid scintillation spectrometry. 99mTc gastric retention curves and 14CO2-excretion curves were fitted to their respective data. Three rats underwent the same procedures after administration of atropine. Results Overall Tr10% (time at which 10% of the original amount of 99mTc remained in the stomach) was 355 ± 64 minutes; Te90% (time at which 90% of total amount of 14CO2 was excreted) was 325 ± 106 minutes. Their correlation coefficient was 0.71, R-square 0.50 and P < 0.005. Tr1/2 (50% of original amount of 99mTc remained) was 124 ± 28 minutes; Te1/2 (50% of total amount of 14CO2 excreted) 114 ± 32 minutes. Their correlation coefficient was 0.83 with R-square of 0.69 and P < 0.00005. In 12 immobilized animals correlation was even better: correlation coefficient 0.84; R-square 0.71 and P < 0.001 (Tr10% was 388 ± 117 minutes; Te90% 532 ± 219 minutes; Tr1/2 of 165 ± 54 minutes; Te1/2 of 175 ± 67 minutes). Atropine significantly lengthened all emptying times: 904 ± 307 and 1461 ± 684 minutes for Tr10% and Te90%, respectively; and 432 ± 117 minutes for Tr1/2 and 473 ± 190 minutes for Te1/2. Conclusions We adapted and validated the 14C-octanoate gastric emptying breath test for application in rats.

Successful management of <i>Halyomorpha halys</i> (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in commercial apple orchards with an attract‐and‐kill strategy

Morrison III, William R,Blaauw, Brett R,Short, Brent D,Nielsen, Anne L,Bergh, James C,Krawczyk, Greg,Park, Yong‐,Lak,Butler, Bryan,Khrimian, Ashot,Leskey, Tracy C John Wiley Sons, Ltd 2019 Pest Management Science Vol.75 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><B>BACKGROUND</B></P><P>Introduction of <I>Halyomorpha halys</I> (Stål) in the USA has disrupted many established integrated pest management programs for specialty crops, especially apple. While current management heavily relies on insecticides, one potential alternative tactic is attract‐and‐kill (AK), whereby large numbers of <I>H. halys</I> are attracted to and retained in a circumscribed area using attractive semiochemicals and removed from the foraging population with an insecticide. The goal of this study was to evaluate if AK implementation in commercial apple orchards can result in levels of <I>H. halys</I> damage that are equal to or less than those from grower standard management programs.</P><P><B>RESULTS</B></P><P>Over 2 years at farms in five Mid‐Atlantic USA states, we found that the use of AK resulted in 2–7 times less damage compared with grower standard plots, depending on year and period. At selected trees on which AK was implemented, over 10,000 <I>H. halys</I> individuals were killed in two growing seasons, and the use of AK reduced the crop area treated with insecticide against <I>H. halys</I> by 97%. Using AK had no impact on the natural enemy or secondary pest community over the same period.</P><P><B>CONCLUSIONS</B></P><P>Overall, the use of AK was effective at managing low to moderate <I>H. halys</I> populations in apple orchards, but must be optimized to increase economic feasibility for grower adoption. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry</P>

Selective modulation of the glucocorticoid receptor can distinguish between transrepression of NF-κB and AP-1

De Bosscher, Karolien,Beck, Ilse M.,Dejager, Lien,Bougarne, Nadia,Gaigneaux, Anthoula,Chateauvieux, Sé,bastien,Ratman, Dariusz,Bracke, Marc,Tavernier, Jan,Vanden Berghe, Wim,Libert, Claude,Diede Springer Basel 2014 Cellular and molecular life sciences Vol.71 No.1

<P>Glucocorticoids (GCs) block inflammation via interference of the liganded glucocorticoid receptor (GR) with the activity of pro-inflammatory transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1, a mechanism known as transrepression. This mechanism is believed to involve the activity of GR monomers. Here, we explored how the GR monomer-favoring Compound A (CpdA) affects AP-1 activation and activity. Our results demonstrate that non-steroidal CpdA, unlike classic steroidal GCs, blocks NF-κB- but not AP-1-driven gene expression. CpdA rather sustains AP-1-driven gene expression, a result which could mechanistically be explained by the failure of CpdA to block upstream JNK kinase activation and concomitantly also phosphorylation of c-Jun. In concordance and in contrast to DEX, CpdA maintained the expression of the activated AP-1 target gene <I>c</I>-<I>jun</I>, as well as the production of the c-Jun protein. As for the underlying mechanism, GR is a necessary intermediate in the CpdA-mediated gene expression of AP-1-regulated genes, but seems to be superfluous to CpdA-mediated JNK phosphorylation prolongation. The latter phenomenon concurs with the inability of CpdA to stimulate DUSP1 gene expression. ChIP analysis demonstrates that DEX-activated GR, but not CpdA-activated GR, is recruited to AP-1-driven promoters. Furthermore, in mice we observed that CpdA instigates a strong enhancement of TNF-induced AP-1-driven gene expression. Finally, we demonstrate that this phenomenon coincides with an increased sensitivity towards TNF lethality, and implicate again a role for JNK2. In conclusion, our data support the hypothesis that a ligand-induced differential conformation of GR yields a different transcription factor cross-talk profile.</P><P><B>Electronic supplementary material</B></P><P>The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00018-013-1367-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.</P>

FORMATION OF THE MILKY WAY

HESSER J. E.,STETSON P. B.,HARRISM W. E.,BOLTE M.,SMECKER-HANE T. A.,VANDENBERG D. A.,BELL R. A.,BOND H. E.,BERGH S. VAN DEN,MCCLURE R. D.,FAHLMAN G. G.,RICHER H. B. The Korean Astronomical Society 1996 Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society Vol.29 No.suppl1

We review observational evidence bearing on the formation of a prototypical large spiral galaxy, the Milky Way. New ground- and space-based studies of globular star clusters and dwarf spheroidal galaxies provide a wealth of information to constrain theories of galaxy formation. It appears likely that the Milky Way formed by an combination of rapid, dissipative collapse and mergers, but the relative contributions of these two mechanisms remain controversial. New evidence, however, indicates that initial star and star cluster formation occurred simultaneously over a volume that presently extends to twice the distance of the Magellanic Clouds.