Prompt Action (prompt + action)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Prevent major failures and accidents with well-trained and empowered operators

PROCESS SAFETY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2010
Muhammad Idrees
Abstract This article shares Engro's experience at its ammonia plant involving the prevention of major failures of the synthesis gas compressor turbine by taking prompt action to shutdown the compressor. Engro's strategy of providing operations training to enable and empower its people to make the right decisions at right time is the major learning of this article, whereby a manual shutdown before the automatic instrumentation trip of the machine was initiated. This article also describes the techniques used by the operations team to train and empower their people. Despite a plant outage of more than 10 days to replace the rotor, we believe the manual shutdown averted a more disastrous situation. Continuing to run the turbine may have resulted in a safety incident or an even longer plant shutdown for significant repairs. A well-trained and empowered operator is always helpful by making prompt decisions to shut down equipment, rather than relying solely on instrumentation to protect equipment. The following is a discussion of the training program which enables and empowers the operator to make correct decisions and take the correct action at the right time. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2010 [source]


Cannabis Withdrawal Among Non-Treatment-Seeking Adult Cannabis Users,

THE AMERICAN JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS, Issue 1 2006
Marc L. Copersino PhD
This study investigates the clinical significance of a cannabis withdrawal syndrome in 104 adult, non-treatment-seeking, primarily cannabis users who reported at least one serious attempt to stop using cannabis. Retrospective self-report data were obtained on eighteen potential cannabis withdrawal symptoms derived from the literature, including co-occurrence, time course, and any actions taken to relieve the symptom. Study findings provide evidence for the clinical significance of a cannabis withdrawal syndrome, based on the high prevalence and co-occurrence of multiple symptoms that follow a consistent time course and that prompt action by the subjects to obtain relief, including serving as negative reinforcement for cannabis use. [source]


Persistent isolated hypocortisolism following brief treatment with trilostane

AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 12 2008
IK Ramsey
A 12-year-old male neutered Miniature Poodle with confirmed pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism was treated with trilostane. After three doses, it developed clinical and laboratory changes suggestive of isolated hypocortisolism (,atypical hypoadrenocorticism'), which persisted and progressed for more than 3 months despite immediate withdrawal of the trilostane. The clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism resolved without further trilostane. After 3 months, prednisolone treatment was started and the clinical signs of hypocortisolism resolved. Prednisolone therapy was required for more than 1 year. Ultrasonography initially demonstrated large hypoechoic adrenal cortices, typical of dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, which then became small and heteroechoic, consistent with the development of adrenal necrosis. Persistent isolated hypocortisolism has not been reported previously as a complication of trilostane therapy. The case is also remarkable for the very short duration of trilostane therapy that elicited this complication. Clinicians should be aware that trilostane therapy may result in adrenal necrosis, even in the very earliest stages of therapy, but prompt action can prevent a life-threatening situation. [source]


Examining understanding, acceptance, and support for the biorefinery concept among EU policy-makers

BIOFUELS, BIOPRODUCTS AND BIOREFINING, Issue 3 2009
Philip Peck
Abstract This paper outlines how an understanding of the processes of building cognitive and sociopolitical legitimacy is relevant to the formation of a biorefining sector. First we describe a number of theoretical insights into challenges faced by emerging industries and how these can relate to the formation of a biorefining sector. Second, we present the conduct and results of an initial exploration of understanding, acceptance, and support for the biorefinery concept among a sample of actors in the EU policy community. General conclusions of this study are then provided in these two areas. Addressing theory versus evidence from the fi eld, it is found that many phenomena predicted by theory indeed appear in the empirical results and seem immediately relevant to the formative biorefining industry. Analysis of the perceptions of members of the policy community toward biorefinery-related environmental, social, policy, reputational and policy issues reveals that there are a number of areas where prompt action from the political and scientifi c communities could yield signifi cant benefi ts. We conclude that theories enfolding the concepts of cognitive and sociopolitical legitimacy are relevant to discussions of biofuels, bioproducts and biorefining. Importantly, proponents of the biorefinery concept can draw upon a broad body of knowledge generated in both related and non-related industries, to support their work reducing barriers to the emergence of commercial biorefineries. A key area in this regard will be improved communication of biorefinery contributions to sustainable development. © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [source]