Longer Working Lives Research Articles

Investigation of macro-/mesoporous Re2O7/Al2O3 catalysts prepared by a particle-template method for butylene metathesis

Macro-/mesoporous Al2O3 supports were prepared by using monodisperse polystyrene (PS) microspheres as a template. The pore volume and BET surface area of the Al2O3 supports increased considerably with increasing amounts of the PS microspheres; further investigation showed that PS template only increased the volume of macro-pores but did not change the volume of meso-pores or micro-pores. Macro-/mesoporous Re2O7/Al2O3 metathesis catalysts were prepared through loading Re2O7 onto the as-prepared macro-/mesoporous Al2O3 supports, and their catalytic performance was tested in a fixed-bed tubular reactor using the metathesis of normal butylenes as a probe reaction. The results showed that the prepared macro-/mesoporous Re2O7/Al2O3 catalyst had high activity with consistent selectivity; propylene and pentene accounted for more than 90 wt% of the metathesis products, while the amount of ethylene plus hexane was less than 10 wt%, the majority of which was hexane. These Re2O7/Al2O3 catalysts had not only higher activity, but also longer working life span and higher tolerance to carbon residues than conventional Re2O7/Al2O3 catalysts.

Personality, Lifetime Earnings, and Retirement Wealth

Studies of adolescents and young adults have shown that schooling impacts economic outcomes beyond its impact on cognitive ability. Research has also shown that the personality trait of conscientiousness predicts health outcomes, academic outcomes, and divorce. Using the Big Five taxonomy of personality traits, this study examines whether non-cognitive traits are related to economic success over the life course. Examining Health and Retirement Study survey data linked to Social Security records on over 10,000 adults age 50 and over, we investigate the relationship of personality traits to economic outcomes. Controlling for cognitive ability and background variables, do more conscientious and emotionally stable adults have higher lifetime earnings, and is this due to higher annual earnings, longer work lives, or both? Do more conscientious adults save a higher proportion of their earnings for retirement, and does conscientiousness of each partner in a married couple matter? Do conscientiousness and emotional stability interact such that the effects of conscientiousness are greater among less emotionally stable adults?

Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of Rotary Nickel-Titanium Instruments Submitted to Nitrogen Ion Implantation

Introduction The aim of this study was to assess cyclic fatigue resistance in rotary nickel-titanium instruments submitted to nitrogen ion implantation by using a custom-made cyclic fatigue testing apparatus. Methods Thirty K3 files, size #25, taper 0.04, were divided into 3 experimental groups as follows: group A, 12 files exposed to nitrogen ion implantation at a dose of 2.5 × 10 17 ions/cm 2, accelerating voltage of 200 kV, currents of 1 μA/cm 2, 130°C temperature, and vacuum conditions of 10 × 10 −6 torr for 6 hours; group B, 12 nonimplanted files; and group C, 6 files submitted to thermal annealing for 6 hours at 130°C. One extra file was used for process control. All files were submitted to a cyclic fatigue test that was performed with an apparatus that allowed the instruments to rotate freely, simulating rotary instrumentation of a curved canal (40-degree, 5-mm radius curve). An electric motor handpiece was used with a contra-angle of 16:1 at an operating speed of 300 rpm and a torque of 2 N-cm. Time to failure was recorded with a stopwatch in seconds and subsequently converted to number of cycles to fracture. Data were analyzed with the Student t test ( P < .05). Results Ion-implanted instruments reached significantly higher cycle numbers before fracture (mean, 510 cycles) when compared with annealed (mean, 428 cycles) and nonimplanted files (mean, 381 cycles). Conclusions Our results showed that nitrogen ion implantation improves cyclic fatigue resistance in rotary nickel-titanium instruments. Industrial implementation of this surface modification technique would produce rotary nickel-titanium instruments with a longer working life.

Barriers to Preemptive Kidney Transplantation

Patients who receive kidney transplants before beginning dialysis (known as preemptive transplantation) have lower rates of morbidity and mortality and a longer work life than do those who receive them after beginning dialysis. But in the United States fewer than 2.5% of patients with end-stage kidney disease undergo transplantation as their initial therapy. To understand barriers to early transplantation, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) surveyed patients randomly selected from its database. A 28-question survey on socioeconomic factors; perceptions, fears, and concerns about living-donor transplantation; and education regarding transplantation as a treatment option was distributed to a total of 3,586 people randomly chosen from the NKF's database. The database is not limited to kidney patients, and 19.3% of the responses were disqualified because the respondents didn't have chronic kidney disease (CKD) or hadn't undergone kidney transplantation. The 417 responses acceptable for analysis represented at least 12% of qualified survey recipients. Of these, 316 (76%) were kidney transplant recipients from either living or deceased donors and 101 (24%) were patients with CKD who had never undergone transplantation. The surveys sent to the latter group contained slight modifications from those sent to the transplant recipients. We compared responses from people who had undergone kidney transplantation with responses from those who hadn't undergone the procedure. Renal transplant recipients had higher incomes and more education, were more often white, and were more likely to have learned about treatment options from a physician than were those who hadn't undergone transplantation. Half of the respondents who hadn't undergone the procedure believed that dialysis must precede transplantation, and 60% viewed transplantation as a last resort. Out-of-pocket expenses were greater for transplant recipients, even though worries about future medical costs were common in both groups. Most respondents were willing to accept a kidney from a living donor, although they were uncomfortable with asking someone to donate. Substantial barriers to preemptive kidney transplantation remain for patients with CKD; a lack of financial resources and educational deficits were the most common barriers found in the survey.

An Ageing Europe at Work: Are the Incentives to Work Sufficient to Provide Adequate and Sustainable Pensions in the Future? Lessons from the Open Method of Coordination

The authors discuss recent pension reforms aimed at prolonging working lives in the 27 member states of the European Union. Indeed, in the framework of the so-called Open Method of coordination, member countries have agreed on a set of common policy objectives concerning social protection systems. In particular, promoting longer working lives is a policy priority. To this end, a number of countries have legislated increases in the minimum retirement age (albeit often with a long phase-in period). Some countries have also introduced actuarial reductions for those retiring before a “normal” retirement age and/or actuarial premia for those postponing retirement after that age. Legal obstacles to receiving pensions while continuing to work have also been reduced while the link between the amount of benefits and that of contributions have been strengthened. Finally, access to early retirement schemes and unemployment benefit schemes specifically targeted at older workers has been restricted. The authors document that, partly as a result of these reforms, the employment rate for older workers (55-64) increased from 37 to 45 per cent during the 2001-2008 period. However, they argue that to benefit to the full from pension reforms, it is also necessary to sustain the demand for older workers through lifelong learning policies and incentives for employers.

Oil quality sensors

Modern gas turbines, both flying and stationary, are under increasing pressure to be cleaner and generally more efficient to meet future 'Green' regulations. Subsequent generations of gas turbines are increasingly less polluting than even five years ago in terms of the publicly aware NOx emissions, as well as less publicised emissions. The traditional normal practice of consuming and regularly replenishing the lubricating oil is no longer acceptable. Whilst this is good for the environment, the lubricating oil has a harder and longer working life, depleting the lubricant of critical additives that aid lubricidy and acid control. Therefore, a need has arisen to determine the health of the lubricating oil on-line to protect the asset. Off-line analysis is currently considered too difficult a logistical task to manage effectively for a large airline fleet since the oil condition can degrade rapidly. The paper will explore the technologies available today and those being developed to produce an effective, affordable on-line oil quality sensor.

Rational Choice and a Lifetime in Metal Mining: Employment Decisions by Nineteenth-Century Cornish Miners

This articles argues that it was primarily cash, rather than culture, that shaped employment decisions by Cornish miners in the mid-nineteenth century. Although their occupation cut their lives short, total lifetime earnings as a metal miner, at home or abroad, exceeded the probable income from readily available alternative employment, even over a longer working life. In economic terms, Cornish miners rationally sold part of their lives for both higher short- and long-term incomes.

Gas-turbine performance improvements

The use of gas turbines is increasing for producing electricity, operating airplanes and for various industrial applications. In the last three decades, improvements in gas turbines have shown their success in increasing the amount of energy output from power stations. This is because of advances in metallurgical science and especially the materials used in gas turbines, so that it is possible nowadays to have a very efficient gas turbine with longer working life. This study has concentrated on the improvements of parameters concerned with the performances of gas turbines [i.e. net work output, thermal efficiency, specific fuel consumption (SFC), turbine and compressor efficiencies, compressor's inlet temperature and turbine's inlet temperature]. The data were taken for the Rehab power station in Jordan. The results showed that the plant improvements undertaken involve the study of a wide range of different parameters affecting the performance of the turbine, the most important of which are those which increase the plant's efficiency and decrease the energy cost.

Zerspanbarkeit schwefelarmer Stähle

Due to their chemical composition steels with a low sulphur content have better mechanical properties compared to high sulphur steels. In particular a higher operational reliability and a longer working life are beneficial in transmission components. However these advantages are accompanied by some important drawbacks in the manufacturing process. Increased tool wear leads to shorter tool life and higher production costs. Investigations at the IWT were carried out on steels with different sulphur contents and heat treatment conditions. It could be shown, that it is possible to reduce tool wear and cutting forces if suitable cutting conditions are applied.

Design procedure of an advanced spherical hydrostatic bearing used in rotary forging presses

In this paper, the principle of an advanced spherical hydrostatic bearing with a pressure-tracing system is introduced, which is suitable for large-duty rotary forging presses. Compared with conventional hydrostatic bearings, it possesses many advantages, such as greater stiffness, a longer working life and an easier selection of throttle valves. The algorithms of its main parameters are proposed, including pressure ratio, effective loading area of the oil recess, thickness of oil membrane, etc. Finally, an example is given to support these algorithms.

Production technology for lining elements for the radiation tubes of burners of Rekumat furnaces

A technology is developed for the production of corundum—zircon lining elements for the radiation tubes of burners of Rekumat furnaces. The proposed technology yields lining elements with a longer working life and allows the number of consumable parts of furnaces purchased abroad to be reduced.

ITER central solenoid model coil impregnation optimization

The success of the vacuum-pressure impregnation of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor central solenoid is critical to success of the magnet system. Analysis of fluid flow through a fabric bed is extremely complicated, and complete analytical solutions are not available, but semiempirical methods can be adapted to model these flows. Several of these models were evaluated to predict the impregnation characteristics of a liquid resin through a mat of reinforcing glass fabric, and an experiment was performed to validate these models. The effects of applied pressure differential, glass fibre volume fraction, resin viscosity and impregnation time were examined analytically. From the results of this optimization, it is apparent that use of elevated processing temperature resin systems offer significant advantages in large scale impregnation due to their lower viscosity and longer working life, and they may be essential for large scale impregnations.

Women and Well-Being in Retirement:

Despite neater said work commitment on the part of women approachiig retirement age, work absences and intermittent careers, as well as concentration in low-wage work, ensure their continued heavy dependence on Social Security. A strong argument can be made in favor of Social Security reform that better reflects the marital status, living arrangements, and work experiences of individuals and families at the end of the twentieth century. Women would also benefit from a number of proposed reforms to the private pension system. This article highlighls the need and prospects for public policies to expand and strengthen the nation's retirement income system. It concludes the prospects for significant reform and expansion are gloomy and that longer worklives may be necessary as a result.

OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO WOMEN’S ADVANCEMENT IN EUROPEAN ORGANISATIONS

Composed earlier this century, the distribution of men′s and women′s jobs in the 1980s demonstrates a concentration of women in low‐paid, low‐opportunity jobs despite women having longer working lives and being better educated. Barriers to women′s progress, both attitudinal and structural are examined, with examples from banking and other industries. The role of legislation in stimulating questioning of women′s under‐representation in management positions is acknowledged, and the reasons for starting positive action programmes are explored. An explanation is given of these programmes, which are similar to the American affirmative action programmes. How positive action can break down barriers is discussed in relation to the European banks studied. It is concluded that without positive action the position of women at work will deteriorate, but that employers will increasingly become involved in the programmes, as will unions and consultants.

Consideration of Economical and Socio-Psychological Factors in the Implementation of Computer-Aided Manufacturing

For the successful implementation of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), management should plan in advance and involve all the people concerned to develop a “consensus” toward a common goal. The management should explain to the workers the advantages of CAM: job security through competitive strength, easier and safer work, a longer working life and better pay. Develop a sound company labor policy to provide “psychological security” through guaranteed job security, pay, job status and seniority. Provide a continuous training program to update workers skills for dealing with CAM.

Aging and Preference for Later Retirement

The hypothesis was investigated that older workers who are longer in the work role are more anxious to remain in their work role and prefer to retire at a later age. In the design, social class and health were age-invariant because of the selective nature of the VA Normative Aging population. These two major contaminants of the relationship between age and later retirement preference were therefore controlled. A stepwise regression analysis found that later retirement preference was related to age and social class factors, the two acting independently, and with age more than twice as important as social class. This finding is problematic because of (1) a trend to earlier mandatory retirement related to increased industrial productivity; (2) capacity for longer work life, related to improvement in health and longevity; and (3) a trend to non-manual occupation, which is less vulnerable to age decrement. In summary, contrary to disengagement theory, the desire to stave off retirement increases with age at a time of societal pressure for curtailment of work role. The solution to this dilemma lies either in expansion of work roles or massive change in values favoring earlier retirement.

Denture bases processed from a fluid resin

We have made about 14,000 dentures of all types using a fluid resin and a hydrocolloid mold. Technicians' working time, and the over-all, elapsed processing time have been greatly reduced from that required by other methods. The working time per denture that has been saved amounts to 40 or 50 minutes. The finishing and remounting of dentures is simplified due to the clean and sharp separation of the cured dentures from the mold. The bases are more accurately adapted to the casts than were heat-cured resins. This was observed when test specimens of two A.D.A.-certified heat-curing resins were compared with the fluid resin specimens, both in a dry state and after six months in water (Fig. 11). The elimination of the gypsum investment and the use of the split flask seem to have reduced the amount of processing changes in the occlusion that had been consistently noted in our compression-molded dentures. Loss of vertical height of the occlusion of the dentures has been noted occasionally, but this has rarely exceeded 1 mm. when measured at the incisai pin of a Hanau articulator. About 10 per cent of the dentures have had voids as a result of incorrect sprue positioning or of pouring a too viscous resin. Most voids have been readily repaired with a small amount of resin and placed back into the processing unit with warm water for 5 minutes under 15 psi of air pressure. Repairs to the base are practically undetectable, even under magnification. This is probably due to the elimination of gypsum contamination and to the use of the original denture base material for repair. Pinpoint porosity will result if the processing unit loses air pressure, if inadequate air pressure is used initially, or if polymerization begins before the denture is put into the processing unit. All materials have handled well, even in room temperatures in excess of 90 °F., but polymerization is accelerated and the working time is shortened. Some partial dentures require rather complicated spruing procedures, but once the principles are learned, they presented no serious problem (Figs. 12 and 13). The movement of the distal extension metal framework due to packing pressures, such as is frequently observed when compression-molded techniques are used, appears to have been eliminated. Some tooth shifting has been noted where there has been extensive grinding on the teeth. With excessive grinding, the hydrocolloid does not adequately grip the tooth, and this permits tooth movement during pouring. Careful attention to detail must be followed, particularly during the wax-up. If a wax residue is left on the teeth prior to investing, a flash of resin over the tooth surface will invariably result. The average technician can be trained to perform the necessary processing procedures with a few days' observation and practical experience. The procedure lends itself well to small or large laboratory operations and is well suited for use in a dental office. The equipment required is minimal and requires a small amount of storage space. The over-all cleanliness of the laboratory area is greatly improved due to the elimination of the gypsum investing materials. Our results with other fluid-type resins have been generally satisfactory, but our best results have been obtained with the resin described. This is probably due to the incorporation of a greater amount of polymer ( 2 1 2 parts) in proportion to monomer (1 part) than the other resins usually contain (2 parts polymer to 1 part monomer). The glycerine or glycol type of hydrocolloid has given better results than those thinned with water. It seems to be tougher, cut cleaner, and have a longer working life. It does not have a tendency to dehydrate as readily, and has a slightly tacky surface which seems to maintain teeth in position better during the pouring and curing procedures.

Surface quenching after induction heating of cast iron cam shafts for ZIL-111 engines

1. Cast cam shafts with surface-quenched cams have a longer working life than forged steel shafts. The manufacture of the cam shafts is simpler. 2. Quenching of the shafts after high-frequency heating of four cams simultaneously in a four-coil inductor ensures uniform heating through the thickness of the quenched layer, increases the productivity, and improves the quality of the heat treatment. 3. To decrease warping, all the cams of the shaft should be quenched simultaneously in a die in a special apparatus. 4. The presence of carbides in the quenched surface layer increases the hardness and the wear resistance of the cams.

Time and Motion Study Volume 2 Issue 11

The older Man. Employers are advised to judge a man on his ability and not his age in a report of the National Advisory Committee on the Employment of Older Men and Women. Acceptance of the principle that greater employment of older people should be encouraged is urged by the report which says that the increases in the proportion of older people will make greater production necessary for their maintenance and that if they retire their contribution to production will be lost. Again, it is suggested that with improved working conditions there may be a capacity for a longer working life.