A case study on using the FDS tool for on-site fire investigation

When investigating a fire type event, one has to have in mind that maybe the most important aspect is the identification of the source of ignition. Nowadays, commercial and open-source software are available and can be used during such investigations. The fire field model - Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) is one of the most popular numerical model used for fire investigation. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of computer simulations when two hypotheses, Arson effect with multiple fireplaces and electric short circuit are taken into consideration as the cause of the fire. To virtually simulate the findings at the fire site, the FDS tool (Computational Fluid Dynamics) was used. Computational simulations for the two scenarios revealed that the multiple fireplaces scenario, the initial ignition at both the warehouse and the roof of the annex, illustrates the effects of the fire in a similar way to those found at the site, while the scenario with the initial source on the wall of the room with the electrical panel produces a fire located at the level of the construction and is not transmitted to the annex. Consequently, the results obtained validate the multiple outbreak (Arson effect) scenario.

Educational behaviors of pregnant women in the Bronx during Zika’s International emerging epidemic: “First mom … and then I’d Google. And then my doctor”

Background The objective of the study was to understand how pregnant women learned about Zika infection and to identify what sources of information were likely to influence them during their pregnancy. Methods We conducted 13 semi-structed interviews in English and Spanish with women receiving prenatal care who were tested for Zika virus infection. We analyzed the qualitative data using descriptive approach. Results Pregnant women in the Bronx learned about Zika from family, television, the internet and their doctor. Informational sources played different roles. Television, specifically Spanish language networks, was often the initial source of information. Women searched the internet for additional information about Zika. Later, they engaged in further discussions with their healthcare providers. Conclusions Television played an important role in providing awareness about Zika to pregnant women in the Bronx, but that information was incomplete. The internet and healthcare providers were sources of more complete information and are likely the most influential. Efforts to educate pregnant women about emerging infectious diseases will benefit from using a variety of approaches including television messages that promote public awareness followed up by reliable information via the internet and healthcare providers.

Exploration of the Factors of Work Readiness during the Pandemic COVID-19

This study aims to develop a work readiness theory during pandemics based on existing theories and data obtained in the field. The research approach used is a qualitative method with a grounded theory approach. Research subjects are parties who have an interest and are involved in job readiness, namely managers, employees, recruiters, and educators. There are fifteen subjects in this research. Data analysis was carried out in 4 stages: open coding, focused coding, axial coding, and selective coding to organize and integrate categories into a single category. Validation of this study was carried out by triangulation, namely by validating respondents. The researcher re-interviewed the participants by questioning the results of previous interviews to see the consistency of the data obtained. The results showed that five factors correlate with each other. The first is social support which includes support from the school environment, parents, and friendship. The second factor is the internal force which functions as a driving force for individuals to carry out a behavior. The third is the opportunity aspect. The fourth is the competency that includes how to work attitude of fresh graduates and their digital mindset. Individuals are ready to work if competence and persistence in the search can be carried out correctly. And the last selection readiness is about readiness to understand their position. This research is expected to become additional information for the future as an initial source in developing studies related to the work readiness of graduates. The study results show that it takes both internal and external strength to prepare fresh graduates for work.

227 Multiple Outbreak Of SARS-COVID-19 In Surgical Wards at The Tertiary Hospital

Background Since the second surge of SARS-COVID-19 on 18th of September, additional several measures were introduced, and pathways created in order to execute safe surgical practices and protect both patients and staff from SARS-COVID-19. Despite these measures, there have been reported cases of outbreaks in various parts of UK amongst patients and clinical staff. Method Three outbreaks in the past 6 weeks (10, September 2020 to 21, October 2020) were reported in our surgical wards and we compiled the timing, initial source, number of affected individuals and immediate management steps taken. Results Following the first outbreak on wards, 28-day surveillance helped us understand responsible variants. Several staff members were found walking out of hospital, in groups once they had removed their PPEs. Communal lunching with inadequate social distancing, attending work with symptoms (albeit atypical for COVID), sharing cars to/from work or not wearing PPE correctly were highlighted in the subsequent investigations. The reduction in number of affected individuals during the last two incidents reflected a degree of efficacy of the implemented preventative measures, which were reviewed again following the subsequent incidents. Conclusions In the present climate, a robust and prompt response to outbreaks is required. Continual iteration with regards to the need for PPE, adequate social distancing and avoiding over-crowding in communal areas is paramount to reduce the probability of ward outbreaks and inter-professional transmission. Asymptomatic staff testing, particularly in high-risk areas could also be considered but would require adequate laboratory capacity and rapid turnaround of test results.

Development and application of an integrated system of mathematical models for the transfer of radionuclides upon a hypothetic accident to minimize radioecological consequences

An integrated system of mathematic models is developed and implemented. The system is aimed at predicting the spread of the radioactive materials in the Arctic waters from a complex source distributed in space and time, formed by an emergency release of radionuclides from a nuclear-powered facility. Such approach allows taking into account various mechanisms of radionuclide transfer in arbitrary combinations. In addition to customary considered atmospheric and marine advection-diffusion processes with sedimentation on the underlying surface, it takes into consideration other mechanisms. Among them are particle sedimentation to the sea bottom with bottom capture, reverse process of washing-out from the bottom sediments. Specially attended is the Arctic-specific mechanism of particle ice-binding in the sea ice, drift of the frozen particles with ice, and their return to marine environment in result of ice thawing. The latter process may result in the appearance of the radioactive source at the large distance from the initial source and long time after the release event. The integrated model complex will provide the most realistic picture of the radioactive trace spread. It will sure be the effective tool for minimizing the emergency negative impact on the population and environment. The article a stage of long-term work that is currently ongoing.

Neutronic Evaluation of MSBR System Using MCNP Code

The concept of Molten Salt Reactor use Th to breed fissile 233U, where an initial source of fissile material needs to be provided. However, there is no available 233U and so; the fissile fuel supply is one of the unresolved problems. Thus, it is necessary to use existing fissile materials such as 235U or Pu to produce 233U. Current studies analyze the fuel transition from 235U/Th or Pu/Th to 233U/Th and, in this context, the present work evaluates the criticality and the neutron flux of MSBR (Molten Salt Breeder Reactor) considering the fuel: (i) mix of Th and enriched U; (ii) the combination of Th and reprocessed Pu; and (iii) matrix of reprocessed Pu/minor actinides (MAs) and Th. The goal is to verify which of these fuels can be used as initial fissile supply. The MSBR core was simulated by MCNPX 2.6.0 code and the criticality model presents similar behavior of previous studies. The results show that reprocessed fuels could have a potential to be used as initial fissile supply, but these fuels present a neutron flux profile less flattens than traditional 233U/Th. It is possible that a new distribution of fuel elements may improve this profile and future simulations will be performed to evaluate this behavior. The uranium, must has high enrichment value to be used as initial seed. Other studies need be performed to evaluates the uranium enrichment and the U/Th ratio that produces similar core criticality to traditional fuel.

Exploring the learner profile of the English Home Language classroom in select urban secondary schools

In a democratic South Africa, English has increasingly become the preferred medium of instruction despite the majority of South African learners being mother tongue speakers of other languages. Many learners in urban areas are enrolled to take English Home Language and especially novice teachers expect them to have mother tongue proficiency. However, the reality is that learners come from diverse backgrounds and a single class comprises learners with varying levels of English proficiency. This study seeks to establish who is the actual target audience seated in the socalled English Home Language class. Quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire completed by 642 Grade 8 and 9 respondents at three suburban schools in Gauteng. Cross tabulations were used to compare different variables. Key findings indicate that respondents – although multilingual – do not considerthemselves adequately proficient in English. Secondly, the role of the caregiver as initial source of learning English has been underestimated. Although smallscale, the study highlights the mismatchbetween classroom reality and curriculum requirements. Results suggest that the national education authorities need to adapt policy documents so that what is currently expected of learners might be more easily accomplished in the English class. The questionnaire may serve as a useful resource to determine the linguistic profile of a particular target group.

Land in Liberia: The Initial Source of Antagonism Between Freed American Blacks and Indigenous Tribal People Remains the Cause of Intense Disputes

This study examines factors of land grabbing in Liberia, especially from tribal communities, due originally to different social expectations regarding land and contracts between indigenous people and settlers from America. In addition, land appropriation throughout the history of the Liberian nation is due largely to the Americo-Liberian oligarchy and public corruption. The study analyzes survey, empirical, and concession contracts data gathered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sustainable Development Institute, Government of Liberia, Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia, and United Nations Mission in Liberia. It then correlates associations between a number of concession companies, their land acreage under operation, county acreage, and incidence of land grabbing to demonstrate an increase in disputes during the early 2000s due to practices of corrupt public officials. This has resulted from the consistent implementation of inequitable land laws, which have perpetuated land transfer from tribal communities to mostly Americo-Liberian descendants and foreign concessionaires. This land appropriation has fostered public corruption, increased land related disputes, and raised the level of conflict in Liberian society.

Evaluation of the positional accuracy of subsurface utilities

Since WWII, the urban underworlds have become a web of utility lines, including telecommunication lines, buried electricity lines, gas mains, watermains, cable TV, fiber optic cables, street lighting, and storm and sanitary sewers. From preliminary design stages to breaking ground on new construction projects; owners, designers, engineers, and contractors rely on existing underground utility records as an initial source of information. There is a constant need for underground utility information and most of the city's existing utility records are not only irretrievable, but are also out-of-date. According to research done in the past, records and visible feature surveys by site are a significant percentage off the mark and, in some cases, considerably worse. This study focuses on the evaluation of the positional accuracy of subsurface utilities within seven projects, within the City of Toronto, using an offset approach. It also aims to reveal the magnitude of the problem surrounding the obtainment, analyzation, and interpretation of information with respect to underground infrastructure facilities. None of the projects show any relationship or correlation with positional accuracy and the factors that are thought to affect the accuracy of underground utility information (e.g. type of soil, type of utility, date of installation, right-of-way, etc.). The analysis indicates a clear indication of no systematic patterns between the right-of-way parameters and utility type parameters. Based on the results of this study it can be stated that the process of obtaining subsurface utility information is still a time-consuming, inefficient, costly, and difficult process.

Evaluation of the positional accuracy of subsurface utilities

Since WWII, the urban underworlds have become a web of utility lines, including telecommunication lines, buried electricity lines, gas mains, watermains, cable TV, fiber optic cables, street lighting, and storm and sanitary sewers. From preliminary design stages to breaking ground on new construction projects; owners, designers, engineers, and contractors rely on existing underground utility records as an initial source of information. There is a constant need for underground utility information and most of the city's existing utility records are not only irretrievable, but are also out-of-date. According to research done in the past, records and visible feature surveys by site are a significant percentage off the mark and, in some cases, considerably worse. This study focuses on the evaluation of the positional accuracy of subsurface utilities within seven projects, within the City of Toronto, using an offset approach. It also aims to reveal the magnitude of the problem surrounding the obtainment, analyzation, and interpretation of information with respect to underground infrastructure facilities. None of the projects show any relationship or correlation with positional accuracy and the factors that are thought to affect the accuracy of underground utility information (e.g. type of soil, type of utility, date of installation, right-of-way, etc.). The analysis indicates a clear indication of no systematic patterns between the right-of-way parameters and utility type parameters. Based on the results of this study it can be stated that the process of obtaining subsurface utility information is still a time-consuming, inefficient, costly, and difficult process.