This study was designed to explore maintenance strategies used by religiously affiliated married couples, links between religion and marital quality, and whether maintenance strategies serve a mediating pathway between religion and marital quality. The study included 80 married participants recruited from university courses. Most participants were Caucasian and identified as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Fetzer's religiosity survey assessed various dimensions of religious activity and belief. Marital quality was assessed via measures of commitment and conflict, and marital maintenance strategies included both cognitive and behavioral efforts to remain connected and positive with the spouse. Overall, the sample was highly religious and reported high levels of commitment to their marriages. Strong relationships were observed between religious variables and marital quality, and both religious variables and marital quality demonstrated some relationships with marital maintenance strategies. However, links between religiosity and martial quality were not mediated by the use of specific marital maintenance strategies.

No description available.

Master of Science / Department of Journalism and Mass Communications / Todd F. Simon / In the United States, the number of college-age students (19-24) who volunteer is rising rapidly. However, most of the research in regard to sustaining volunteers with nonprofits is targeted to the whole population, especially older adults. This research employed the first sample survey of college volunteers for the study of a public relations theory. The findings showed that theories developed for older adults may also apply to young adults and could provide insights about youth relationships. While using organization-public relationship model as the theoretical background, the results suggest that Access, Networking, and Assurance are important public relations strategies for nonprofits maintaining college volunteers. Nonprofits should try to cultivate a sense of commitment with college volunteers, which could greatly increase their volunteer intentions in the future. In addition, as suggested by the previous research, this study collected the data in regard to college volunteers' parents' social-economic status, and has found that parental involvement with nonprofits has a great impact on their children's volunteer behaviors in the future.

This thesis examined student-participants' self-reported use of romantic relational maintenance strategies and their partners' reports of relational satisfaction. Additionally, individuals outside the romantic relationship reported on student-participants' general communicator style. The research proposed that general style reports would be predictive of relational maintenance strategy usage and of romantic partners' relational satisfaction. The study found that general style behaviors may not be indicative of relational maintenance strategy usage or romantic partners' relational satisfaction. Tests of sex differences revealed that females' expression of various relational maintenance strategies and style behaviors are associated with male partners' relational satisfaction; however, no results were obtained indicating specific behaviors expressed by males result in female partners' relational satisfaction.

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2016-02-17T12:23:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Gustavo Gastmann Brand_.pdf: 698042 bytes, checksum: 303b375ce86e6c8e28f55a2462a7cefd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-17T12:23:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gustavo Gastmann Brand_.pdf: 698042 bytes, checksum: 303b375ce86e6c8e28f55a2462a7cefd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-06-27 / Nenhuma / O objetivo principal desta dissertação é apresentar um método para aplicação da Manutenção Centrada em Confiabilidade (MCC) em uma linha de cromagem de cilindros de alumínio. Para a análise, foram utilizados os tempos até a falha e os tempos para o reparo. O trabalho foi desenvolvido a partir de um estudo de caso e aplicado em uma empresa multinacional fabricante de motores à combustão interna, cuja produção de cilindros de alumínio atinge volume anual de 4,5 milhões de peças. Em relação aos objetivos específicos desse trabalho, citam-se a revisão dos conceitos, histórico e aplicações da manutenção, conceito de confiabilidade, modelos de distribuição probabilística, estimativa de parâmetros, teste de aderência e fundamentos de falhas. As principais etapas para aplicação do método são: definição e seleção do sistema objeto do estudo; análise funcional de falhas; seleção dos itens críticos; coleta e análise dos dados de falha; seleção de ações de manutenção; e determinação dos intervalos de manutenção. Como o Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) foi muito baixo em relação ao Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), toda a atenção foi concentrada para aumentar o MTBF e não reduzir o MTTR. Como resultado, verificou-se que quase todos os equipamentos estudados estão na fase de maturidade. Observou-se também que a Manutenção Preventiva é predominante, em muitos casos associada à Preditiva. As considerações finais alinham as estratégias de manutenção com as estratégias de produção referentes ao sistema estudado. / The main objective of this study is to show a method for implementation of Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) in a plating line of aluminum cylinders. For the analysis, It was used the time to failure and time to repair in the modeling. The work was developed from a case study and applied in a multinational manufacturer of internal combustion engines, whose production of aluminum cylinders achieves annual volume of 4.5 million pieces. Regarding the secondary objectives of this work, It´s mentioned the review of the literature on the concepts, history and maintenance applications, the concept of reliability, probability distribution models, parameter estimation, testing, adherence and reasons for failure. The main steps for implementing the method are: definition and system selection object of the study, functional analysis of failures; selection of critical items, collection and analysis of failure data, selection of maintenance actions, and determining maintenance intervals. As the Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) was very low compared to the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), the whole focus was to increase MTBF and not reduce MTTR. The result was the strategy of Preventive Maintenance, as predominant in many cases, associated with Predictive. The final consideration line maintenance strategies with production strategies for the system studied.

Small Heat Shock Proteins (sHSP) are molecular chaperones that play protective roles in cell survival and have been shown to possess chaperone activity. As such, mutations in this family of proteins result in a wide variety of diseases from cancers to cardiomyopathies. The sHSPs Beta-2 (HspB2) and alpha-beta crystalline (CryAB) are two of the ten human sHSPs and are both expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle cells. A heart that cannot properly recover or defend against stressors such as extreme heat or cold, oxidative/reductive stress, and heavy metal-induced stress will constantly struggle to maintain efficient function. Accordingly, CryAB is required for myofibril recovery from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and HspB2 is required I/R recovery as well as efficient cardiac ATP production. Despite these critical roles, little is known about the molecular function of these chaperones. We have identified over two hundred HspB2-binding partners through both yeast two-hybrid and copurification approaches, including interactions with myofibril and mitochondrial proteins. There is remarkable overlap between the two approaches (80%) suggesting a high confidence level in our findings. The sHSP, CryAB, only binds a subset of the HspB2 interactome, showing that the HspB2 interactome is specific to HspB2 and supporting non-redundant roles for sHSPs. We have confirmed a subset of these binding partners as HspB2 clients via in vitro chaperone activity assays. In addition, comparing the binding patterns and activity of sHSP variants in comparison to wild type can help to elucidate how variants participate in causing disease. Accordingly, we have used Y2H and in vitro chaperone activity assays to compare the disease-associated human variants R120GCryAB and A177PHspB2 to wild type and have identified differences in binding and chaperone function. These results not only provide the first molecular evidence for non-redundancy of the sHSPs, but provides a useful resource for the study of sHSPs in mitochondrial and myofibril function.

<p>For complex technical systems in the electricity and pulp and paper industries, maintenance management addresses how to exploit physical assets in the most profitably way. This is a difficult task that requires taking into consideration parameters of totally different natures – e.g. reliability data, operating costs, condition of technical systems, the environment and rules and regulation.</p><p>An incorrect estimate of a residual lifetime can result in a premature renewal with accompanying high capital costs. If, however, renewal is delayed, a breakdown may occur which can cause major damage to technical equipment and a loss of income due to outages. Because of the complexity of many technical systems, it can be hard to select adequate data to use when making decisions about renewal strategies. To cope with this, one approach is to use less detailed models that are operated by skilled analysts.</p><p>This work demonstrates the advantage of such an approach by proposing two methods applied in a joint methodology that has its origins in RCM. The methodology consists of Dynamic Lifetime Model (DLA) and the Condition Based Index (CBI). The DLA method copes with the financial risk associated with the point in time for when a renewal is carried out and the CBI method uses critical parameters to estimate the condition of a technical system. The two methods together create a quantitative connection between reliability, maintenance and financial risk. A case study based validation of the methodology was carried out at SCA Ortvikens paper mill on a refiner system and Forsmark nuclear power plant. Lessons learned from the case study showed that the methodology could be used to identify which components could cause costly breakdown. By using the methodology a manager gets a decision support tool for estimating short-term and long-term consequences of decisions regarding maintenance management in order to maximize utility of the system concerned</p>

Organizations are expected by their shareholders to continually deliver above industry returns on capital invested and to remain competitive in the industry of choice through productivity, safety and quality. The maintenance function is a key area in which competitiveness through efficiencies and world–class performance can be attained by focusing on the prevention and reduction of long and costly equipment repair times. The question is: how can the mean time to repair of equipment already installed in the plant be reduced? To answer the above question correctly and comprehensively, the research explored mixed methods in finding answers. Quantitative methodology using a survey was used for data collection. Observations and interviews were held with maintenance personnel to uncover information that couldn’t have been obtained by means of a survey. The survey was limited to equipment performance measures, human factors, environmental factors, planning, spare parts, maintainability, procedures and training. To test consistency and accuracy of representation of the total population under study, a reliability test was done by using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. To determine whether there are any differences between groups, an ANOVA test was used. Cohen’s d–value was used to determine practically significant differences between one set of data with another and correlation analysis was used to determine the relationships between the variables. The approach designed and delivered by this research flowed from the existing body of knowledge, case studies and survey findings. The approach adopts some of the elements of the failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) procedure and differs from other work that has been done by others by taking into account the competency and experience of maintenance personnel and assigning to them factors which are used to compute anew MTTR of the equipment. The cost of implementing the recommended corrective actions for realising the new MTTR is determined and evaluated against an improved equipment availability that will be achieved as a result of the recommended corrective actions assuming that the failure rate of the equipment remains constant. This evaluation step imbedded within the approach is valuable for the maintenance function and management for decision making in ensuring that resources at the organization’s disposal are used productively. Validation and test results of the approach showed that the MTTR of equipment installed in the plant can be reduced. The results also indicated that through the use of the designed approach a regular pattern of repair or replacement times can be followed well in advance and that it is practical, user friendly and it also delivers on its objective of offering a structure for analysis and decision making aimed at reducing the MTTR. Included with this dissertation is feedback information that can be included in a maintenance job card feedback section to capture information about factors that can be improved to lower the MTTR as part of a continuous improvement process. Included also is a spare part development and management procedure that can be used by the maintenance function. Recommendations on training of maintenance personnel on the maintainability of equipment, the FMEA procedure and maintenance procedures are highlighted. Information that flowed from this approach will be valuable for continuous plant performance improvement and during the design, installation and operation stages of a blast furnace. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Organizations are expected by their shareholders to continually deliver above industry returns on capital invested and to remain competitive in the industry of choice through productivity, safety and quality. The maintenance function is a key area in which competitiveness through efficiencies and world–class performance can be attained by focusing on the prevention and reduction of long and costly equipment repair times. The question is: how can the mean time to repair of equipment already installed in the plant be reduced? To answer the above question correctly and comprehensively, the research explored mixed methods in finding answers. Quantitative methodology using a survey was used for data collection. Observations and interviews were held with maintenance personnel to uncover information that couldn’t have been obtained by means of a survey. The survey was limited to equipment performance measures, human factors, environmental factors, planning, spare parts, maintainability, procedures and training. To test consistency and accuracy of representation of the total population under study, a reliability test was done by using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. To determine whether there are any differences between groups, an ANOVA test was used. Cohen’s d–value was used to determine practically significant differences between one set of data with another and correlation analysis was used to determine the relationships between the variables. The approach designed and delivered by this research flowed from the existing body of knowledge, case studies and survey findings. The approach adopts some of the elements of the failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) procedure and differs from other work that has been done by others by taking into account the competency and experience of maintenance personnel and assigning to them factors which are used to compute anew MTTR of the equipment. The cost of implementing the recommended corrective actions for realising the new MTTR is determined and evaluated against an improved equipment availability that will be achieved as a result of the recommended corrective actions assuming that the failure rate of the equipment remains constant. This evaluation step imbedded within the approach is valuable for the maintenance function and management for decision making in ensuring that resources at the organization’s disposal are used productively. Validation and test results of the approach showed that the MTTR of equipment installed in the plant can be reduced. The results also indicated that through the use of the designed approach a regular pattern of repair or replacement times can be followed well in advance and that it is practical, user friendly and it also delivers on its objective of offering a structure for analysis and decision making aimed at reducing the MTTR. Included with this dissertation is feedback information that can be included in a maintenance job card feedback section to capture information about factors that can be improved to lower the MTTR as part of a continuous improvement process. Included also is a spare part development and management procedure that can be used by the maintenance function. Recommendations on training of maintenance personnel on the maintainability of equipment, the FMEA procedure and maintenance procedures are highlighted. Information that flowed from this approach will be valuable for continuous plant performance improvement and during the design, installation and operation stages of a blast furnace. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

For complex technical systems in the electricity and pulp and paper industries, maintenance management addresses how to exploit physical assets in the most profitably way. This is a difficult task that requires taking into consideration parameters of totally different natures – e.g. reliability data, operating costs, condition of technical systems, the environment and rules and regulation. An incorrect estimate of a residual lifetime can result in a premature renewal with accompanying high capital costs. If, however, renewal is delayed, a breakdown may occur which can cause major damage to technical equipment and a loss of income due to outages. Because of the complexity of many technical systems, it can be hard to select adequate data to use when making decisions about renewal strategies. To cope with this, one approach is to use less detailed models that are operated by skilled analysts. This work demonstrates the advantage of such an approach by proposing two methods applied in a joint methodology that has its origins in RCM. The methodology consists of Dynamic Lifetime Model (DLA) and the Condition Based Index (CBI). The DLA method copes with the financial risk associated with the point in time for when a renewal is carried out and the CBI method uses critical parameters to estimate the condition of a technical system. The two methods together create a quantitative connection between reliability, maintenance and financial risk. A case study based validation of the methodology was carried out at SCA Ortvikens paper mill on a refiner system and Forsmark nuclear power plant. Lessons learned from the case study showed that the methodology could be used to identify which components could cause costly breakdown. By using the methodology a manager gets a decision support tool for estimating short-term and long-term consequences of decisions regarding maintenance management in order to maximize utility of the system concerned / QC 20111216