IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 53: Factors Associated with Maintaining the Mental Health of Employees after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: Findings from Companies Located in the Evacuation Area

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 53: Factors Associated with Maintaining the Mental Health of Employees after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: Findings from Companies Located in the Evacuation Area

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010053

Authors: Masatsugu Orui Yuriko Suzuki Aya Goto Seiji Yasumura

After the nuclear disaster in Fukushima on 11 March 2011, some businesses were permitted to continue operating even though they were located in the evacuation area designated by the Japanese government. The aim of this study was to examine differences in the mental health status, workplace, living environment, and lifestyle of employees in the evacuation and non-evacuation areas. We also investigated factors related to their mental health status. Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from the questionnaire responses of 647 employees at three medium-sized manufacturing companies in the evacuation and non-evacuation areas. Through a cross-tabulation analysis, employees who worked at companies in the evacuation areas showed an increase in the duration of overtime work, work burden, and commute time, and had experienced separation from family members due to the radiation disaster and perceived radiation risks. The results of a multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, even in a harsh workplace and living environment, being younger, participating regularly in physical activity, having a social network (Lubben Social Network Scale-6 ≤ 12), laughing frequently, and feeling satisfied with one’s workplace and domestic life were significantly associated with maintaining a healthy mental health status after the disaster. These findings are applicable for workers’ health management measures after disasters.

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I never knew

I’d worked with her for over 20 years and yet I never knew. When she announced her retirement it felt like the end of an era. During one of our last dinners as working colleagues she told me she had recently been to Stockholm during Nobel Prize presentation week. As a child she remembered going to the Nobel Prize dinner and sitting on a table with other small children, one of whom was now the King of Sweden. To relive memories of attending the awards ceremony all those years before she had gone to the Nobel Museum, which displays the details of all the Nobel Prize winners since 1901. ‘That’s my father,’ she said, showing me a photograph of a display in the museum ‘and that’s my grandfather,’ showing me another. I had to ask her to repeat this a few times. She had never mentioned this in all the years I had known her. ‘I wanted people to accept me for who I was rather than someone from a family with two Nobel Prize winners. The only time it became known was when my father died. I had been visiting him repeatedly in Cambridge and when his obituary was published someone put two and two together because of my surname. Fortunately I persuaded them to keep the information to themselves.’

http://ift.tt/2CjcwWK

Substance and Behavioral Addictions: Concepts, Causes and Cures

Edited by SussmanSteve. Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, February 2017. ISBN: 978 1 107 49591-3. Price: £24.96 (Kindle edition), £35.99 (Paperback), £96.00 (Hardcover). 404 pp.

http://ift.tt/2BXkSQ6

The Travel and Tropical Medicine Manual

Edited by SanfordChristopherPottingerPaul and JongElaine. Published by Elsevier, London, 5th edition, 2017. ISBN: 978-0-323-37506-1. Price: £51.99 (paperback—includes access to eBook). 646 pp.

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List of Reviewers

Occupational Medicine relies on the efforts of its peer reviewers to help ensure that submitted work is of an acceptable standard. Our reviewers also provide considerable guidance and wisdom, both to authors and to the editorial team. I am indebted once again to the invaluable work carried out by all our reviewers, who give their time willingly and without material reward. Thank you to those who reviewed papers during 2017.

http://ift.tt/2BXFibM

Doctors and mental health

Staff working in the National Health Service (NHS) experience significant work-related mental health distress, as discussed in a major report by the Royal College of Physicians on health and work in the NHS 2013 [1]. This is being played out through high levels of bullying, complaints, sickness absence, rates of burnout, early retirement and emigration. The reasons for the distress are complex and multifactorial and most easily thought of as a combination of the doctors’ vulnerabilities (including their own past traumas and recent life events) interacting with occupational factors (long hours, unpredictable shifts) and/or wider socio-environmental issues (such as increasing culture of litigation, lack of resources and so on) [2]. It might appear, given the explosion of resilience training courses and creeping mandatory training in this area that the problem with the increase in distress among younger doctors is due to some general lack of resilience, that somehow, they lack the ‘right moral fibre’ to survive a lifetime in health care. The General Medical Council (GMC) publication, Be Prepared: Are New Doctors Safe to Practise (2014) [3], contained reports of concerns from postgraduate deans about the resilience of new doctors, their preparedness to work in busy areas and generalized anxiety they have about working with acutely ill patients. However, health professionals past and present are some of the most resilient human beings in our society, necessary if they are to survive a lifetime exposed to disease, distress and disability. Of course, individuals bring their own predisposing experiences (early losses, dysfunctional parenting and personality problems) and precipitating factors (divorce, moving home, illness, bereavements). But while there might be some changes across the generations, moving home more often nowadays for training purposes, for example, these are not sufficient to be causal factors for the rise in mental illness to individual adversity or vulnerabilities. Far more likely is that the levels of distress are linked to larger societal and geo-political changes, as well as the more parochial such as workload, working conditions and rotas.

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Thomas Allom, Lymington Iron Works, on the Tyne c. 1835

This small (9.7 × 15.5 cm) drawing by Thomas Allom (1804–72) engraved in steel by James Sands (1811–41) depicts foundrymen at the iron works of Messrs Bulmer and Company in Lymington (now Lemington) in the west end of Newcastle-upon-Tyne [1]. In 1832, Allom toured the English northern counties making sketches commissioned by Henry Fisher, Son and Co. to provide drawings for a publication, Westmoreland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland Illustrated to be published in monthly instalments at 1s (5p) each between 1832 and 1835 [2].

http://ift.tt/2CkWxXZ

Hydrogen cyanide—an update

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently released a publication giving revised guidelines for the first aid treatment of cyanide poisoning [1]. This valuable short document gives authoritative advice to all those involved in any potential exposure to this highly toxic chemical.

http://ift.tt/2Cn98do

What clinicians should look for in health and lifestyle apps

Smartphones, tablet computers and websites are widely used by clinicians to support patient care and are used by patients to inform, help themselves and challenge their caregivers. Key to the use of this new technology are ‘apps’.

http://ift.tt/2BXFgka

In this issue of Occupational Medicine

In this issue, there is a particular focus on the health and well-being of clinicians. There is a growing awareness of the importance of practitioner health not just within the profession but also within the specialist colleges and the General Medical Council (GMC). Increased workloads, long hours, fewer resources and rising patient expectations can impact on a doctor’s mental health, and yet there is an apparent reluctance to admit to illness, partly due to a working environment where coping with the daily requirements of the job and patient care are given higher priority than the health of the doctor themselves. There is a perceived stigma associated with mental health problems and doctors often self manage, self prescribe and delay seeking support. In an important editorial, Dr Clare Gerada of the Practitioner Health Programme shares her experiences of treating and supporting doctors with mental health and addiction problems [1]. Encouragingly overall the prognosis appears to be good for those in treatment but failure to address some of the root causes remains a concern.

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Occupational Medicine Calendar

2018DateEventContact AddressVenueMarch 12–13ICOHS 2018: 20th International Conference on Occupational Health and Safetyhttp://ift.tt/2kgIagbMiami, FLApril 16–19BOHS Annual Occupational Hygiene Conferencehttp://www.oh-2018.com/Stratford-upon-Avon, UKApril 29 – May 2Annual American Occupational Health Conference (103rd AOHC)http://ift.tt/2umRwKuNew Orleans. LAApril 29 – May 432nd International Congress on Occupational Health (ICOH)http://www.icoh2018.orgDublin, IrelandMay 6–10American Aerospace Medical Association Annual Meetinghttp://ift.tt/2um6nVADallas, TXSeptember 23–25OEMAC 36th Annual Scientific Conferencehttp://ift.tt/2BEtCLqCalgary, Alberta

http://ift.tt/2CkWz23

Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal pain in workers

Abstract

Background

The serum level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) has been suggested as a biological marker of stress.

Aims

To assess the association between serum DHEA-S, psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal (MS) pain in university workers.

Methods

The study population included voluntary workers at the scientific departments of the University of Trieste (Italy) who underwent periodical health surveillance from January 2011 to June 2012. DHEA-S level was analysed in serum. The assessment tools included the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and a modified Nordic musculoskeletal symptoms questionnaire. The relation between DHEA-S, individual characteristics, pain perception and psychological factors was assessed by means of multivariable linear regression analysis.

Results

There were 189 study participants. The study population was characterized by high reward and low effort. Pain perception in the neck, shoulder, upper limbs, upper back and lower back was reported by 42, 32, 19, 29 and 43% of people, respectively. In multivariable regression analysis, gender, age and pain perception in the shoulder and upper limbs were significantly related to serum DHEA-S. Effort and overcommitment were related to shoulder and neck pain but not to DHEA-S. The GHQ score was associated with pain perception in different body sites and inversely to DHEA-S but significance was lost in multivariable regression analysis.

Conclusions

DHEA-S was associated with age, gender and perception of MS pain, while effort–reward imbalance dimensions and GHQ score failed to reach the statistical significance in multivariable regression analysis.

http://ift.tt/2BX6eZi

Cost-effectiveness of yoga for managing musculoskeletal conditions in the workplace

Abstract

Background

Back pain and musculoskeletal conditions negatively affect the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of employees and generate substantial costs to employers.

Aims

To assess the cost-effectiveness of yoga for managing musculoskeletal conditions.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial evaluated an 8-week yoga programme, with a 6-month follow-up, for National Health Service (NHS) employees. Effectiveness in managing musculoskeletal conditions was assessed using repeated-measures generalized linear modelling for the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) and the Keele STarT Back Screening Tool. Cost-effectiveness was determined using area-under-the-curve linear regression for assessing HRQL from healthcare and societal perspectives. The incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) was also calculated. Sickness absence was measured using electronic staff records at 6 months.

Results

There were 151 participants. At 6 months, mean differences between groups favouring yoga were observed for RDQ [−0.63 (95% CI, −1.78, 0.48)], Keele STarT [−0.28 (95% CI, −0.97, 0.07)] and HRQL (0.016 QALY gain). From a healthcare perspective, yoga yielded an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £2103 per QALY. Given a willingness to pay for an additional QALY of £20 000, the probability of yoga being cost-effective was 95%. From a societal perspective, yoga was the dominant treatment compared with usual care. At 6 months, electronic staff records showed that yoga participants missed a total of 2 working days due to musculoskeletal conditions compared with 43 days for usual care participants.

Conclusions

Yoga for NHS employees may enhance HRQL, reduce disability associated with back pain, lower sickness absence due to musculoskeletal conditions and is likely to be cost-effective.

http://ift.tt/2CjcvSG

Associations between perceived leadership and presenteeism in an industrial population

Abstract

Background

Presenteeism has received increasing attention in occupational health research but the evidence for its association with perceived leadership is scant.

Aims

To assess the association of perceived leadership and presenteeism among industrial workers.

Methods

Survey responses from employees on perceived leadership were linked to the personnel register of a food industry company. The Presenteeism Scale method was used to determine the presenteeism percentage. Perceived leadership was measured as a composite variable of six individual items on motivating and participating leadership. Generalized linear models were used to determine the association of perceived leadership with presenteeism.

Results

There were 847 participants. The majority of office workers of both genders reported better perceived leadership than factory workers. We found that perceived poor leadership was associated with a higher likelihood of presenteeism (rate ratio (RR) 1.64, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 1.51–1.78). However, there was variation amongst and within occupational groups and genders, with a higher risk of presenteeism amongst male factory workers (RR 2.28, 95% CI 2.02–2.52) than female office workers.

Conclusions

Leadership was found to be significantly associated with presenteeism, with a greater risk of presenteeism in those reporting poor perceived leadership. The association between levels of perceived leadership and presenteeism was stronger in men than women. Organizations should focus on motivating leadership practices to reduce the risk of presenteeism, especially among men.

http://ift.tt/2BVwALc

Effects of cognitive loading and force on upper trapezius fatigue

Abstract

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are particularly common in the shoulder/neck region for some tasks that involve low force exertions, for example computer work. It has been demonstrated that muscle activity may be stimulated by cognitively demanding tasks. There is a lack of studies on the relationship between qualitative levels of cognitive loading, level of muscle activity, and muscle fatigue.

Aims

To investigate the effects of quantitative levels of cognitive loading on conduction velocity changes and isometric endurance times for the upper trapezius.

Methods

Participants performed a combination of three levels of a cognitively demanding computer task (0, 1.59 and 3 Bits) while simultaneously performing either of two isometric endurance tests (20 and 40% MVC) for the upper trapezius.

Results

Information load had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on normalized conduction velocity slopes for the 40% but not for the 20% maximum voluntary contraction conditions. Information load had a highly significant effect on endurance times for both exertion levels (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

This study found that performing a high-difficulty cognitive task while simultaneously performing increasingly higher levels of static isometric shoulder abduction exertions, fatigued the trapezius muscle quicker than performing an equivalent exertion with low cognitive load. This is particularly relevant to workplaces with increasing levels of automation that require high levels of decision making and computer use.

http://ift.tt/2CmV6Zi

Work ability, effort–reward imbalance and disability pension claims

Abstract

Background

Effort–reward imbalance (ERI) and self-rated work ability are known independent correlates and predictors of intended disability pension claims. However, little research has focused on the interrelationship between the three and whether self-rated work ability mediates the relationship between ERI and intended disability pension claims.

Aims

To investigate whether self-rated work ability mediates the association between ERI and intended disability pension claims.

Methods

Baseline data from participants of the Third German Sociomedical Panel of Employees, a 5-year cohort study that investigates determinants of work ability, rehabilitation utilization and disability pensions in employees who have previously received sickness benefits, were analysed. We tested direct associations between ERI with intended disability pension claims (Model 1) and self-rated work ability (Model 2). Additionally, we tested whether work ability mediates the association between ERI and intended disability pension claims (Model 3).

Results

There were 2585 participants. Model 1 indicated a significant association between ERI and intended disability pension claims. Model 2 showed a significant association between ERI and self-rated work ability. The mediation in Model 3 revealed a significant indirect association between ERI and intended disability pension claims via self-rated work ability. There was no significant direct association between ERI and intended disability pension claims.

Conclusions

Our results support the adverse health-related impact of ERI on self-rated work ability and intended disability pension claims.

http://ift.tt/2BWvxeb

Predictors of fatigue and work ability in cancer survivors

Abstract

Background

Workers diagnosed with cancer are at risk for job loss or work disability.

Aims

To determine predictors of fatigue and work ability at 36 months after diagnosis in a population of cancer survivors.

Methods

Individuals diagnosed with cancer and who applied for work disability benefit at 24 months of sick leave were surveyed at the time of application and again 12 months later. Fatigue was measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness-Fatigue scale questionnaire and work ability was measured using the work ability index. Linear regression analyses were applied to identify predictors.

Results

There were 336 participants. Participants who were divorced or widowed had more physical limitations, more depressive symptoms and were more fatigued at baseline, and who worked in health care demonstrated higher levels of fatigue. Lower fatigue was predicted by having received chemotherapy. A higher level of work ability was predicted by having received chemotherapy, better global health and better work ability at baseline. Lower work ability was predicted by being principal wage earner, insecurity about being free of disease, having more physical limitations and having greater wage loss.

Conclusions

Socio-demographic, health- and work-related factors were associated with fatigue and work ability in cancer survivors on long-term sick leave. As fatigue and poor work ability are important risk factors for work disability, addressing the identified predictive factors may assist in mitigation of work disability in cancer survivors.

http://ift.tt/2CmV6IM

Occupational medicine specialist referral triggers: Mixed-methods analysis of teleconsult cases

Abstract

Background

Qualitative analyses can yield critical lessons for learning organizations in healthcare. Few studies have applied these techniques in the field of occupational and environmental medicine (OEM).

Aims

To describe the characteristics of complex cases referred for OEM subspecialty evaluation and variation by referring provider’s training.

Methods

Using a mixed methods approach, we conducted a content analysis of clinical cases submitted to a national OEM teleconsult service. Consecutive cases entered between April 2014 and July 2015 were screened, coded and analysed.

Results

108 cases were available for analysis. Local Veterans Health Administration (VHA) non-specialist providers entered a primary medical diagnosis in 96% of cases at the time of intake. OEM speciality physicians coded significant medical conditions based on free text comments. Coder inter-rater reliability was 84%. The most frequent medical diagnosis types associated with tertiary OEM referral by non-specialists were endocrine (19%), cardiovascular (18%) and mental health (16%). Concern for usage of controlled and/or sedating medications was cited in 1% of cases. Compared to referring non-specialists, OEM physicians were more likely to attribute case complexity to musculoskeletal (OR: 2.3, 1.68–3.14) or neurological (OR: 1.69, 1.28–2.24) conditions. Medication usage (OR: 2.2, 1.49–2.26) was more likely to be a source of clinical concern among referring providers.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the range of triggers for OEM physician subspecialty referral in clinical practice with employee patients. The results of this study can be used to inform development of provider education, standardized clinical practice pathways, and quality review activities for occupational medicine practitioners.

http://ift.tt/2BU5Af1

Hand–arm vibration in orthopaedic surgery: a neglected risk

Abstract

Background

Hand–arm vibration syndrome is an occupational disease caused by exposure to hand–arm transmitted vibration. The Health and Safety Executive has set limits for vibration exposure, including an exposure action value (EAV), where steps should be taken to reduce exposure, and an exposure limit value (ELV), beyond which vibrating equipment must not be used for the rest of the working day.

Aims

To measure hand–arm transmitted vibration among orthopaedic surgeons, who routinely use hand-operated saws.

Methods

We undertook a cadaveric study measuring vibration associated with a tibial cut using battery-operated saws. Three surgeons undertook three tibial cuts each on cadaveric tibiae. Measurements were taken using a frequency-weighted root mean square acceleration, with the vibration total value calculated as the root of the sums squared in each of the three axes.

Results

A mean (SD) vibration magnitude of 1 (0.2) m/s² in the X-axis, 10.3 (1.9) m/s² in the Y-axis and 4.2 (1.3) m/s² in the Z-axis was observed. The weighted root mean squared magnitude of vibration was 11.3 (1.7) m/s². These results suggest an EAV of 23 min and ELV of 1 h 33 min using this equipment.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that use of a battery-operated sagittal saw can transmit levels of hand–arm vibration approaching the EAV or ELV through prolonged use. Further study is necessary to quantify this risk and establish whether surveillance is necessary for orthopaedic surgeons.

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The psychological health of remote area medics in Iraq

Abstract

Background

Remote area medics (RAMs) may be at increased risk of mental health difficulties.

Aims

To explore the occupational experiences of RAMs to identify stressors and the mental health impact.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six RAMs working in Iraq to gather data, which was explored using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results

Three key themes emerged from the data (i) the experience of being remote, (ii) cultural shock and (iii) social support. A number of key stressors were identified, including loneliness and boredom, associated with being remote, and the loss of professional identity due to the occupational role. Three out of the six participants reported substantial depressive symptoms. A number of positive coping strategies were identified, particularly relationships with other RAMs, via instant messaging forums.

Conclusions

RAMs experience a number of particular stressors that could put them at risk of depression. Adaptive coping strategies were identified; in particular, virtual social support. These findings should be of interest to companies which employ RAMs.

http://ift.tt/2BU5ynp

Occupational asthma caused by an epoxy amine hardener

Abstract

We describe a 43-year-old epoxy floor layer who developed work-related asthma while exposed to an epoxy hardener based on isophorone diamine (IPDA). Challenge exposures to the curing of the epoxy resin system and subsequently to the polyfunctional amine hardener containing IPDA both elicited delayed asthmatic reactions. This report further indicates that exposure to epoxy hardeners containing polyfunctional amines should be considered as a potential cause of occupational asthma. Appropriate work hygiene measures should be implemented to minimize airborne exposure to these volatile compounds.

http://ift.tt/2CobYyV

Reanalysis of non-occupational exposure to asbestos and the risk of pleural mesothelioma

Marsh and colleagues1 have published a review and meta-analysis of non-occupational exposure to asbestos and the risk of pleural mesothelioma. They confirmed that non-occupational exposures to asbestos fibres are associated with a large increased risk of pleural mesothelioma and reported a fibre-type potency difference for non-occupational exposures. A major problem with assessing fibre-type differences is the very few studies in which fibre type can be unambiguously identified. Given the paucity of studies, it is important to have data from the most recent studies with the largest number of cases.

Marsh used PubMed to locate relevant studies. Of the four chrysotile studies they identified, there were one each from Egypt2 and France3 and two from Canada.4 5 The 1998 Canadian publication of Camus et al4 reported seven neighbourhood cases of mesothelioma. The Public Health Institute of Quebec published an updated report of mesothelioma among...

http://ift.tt/2Edjo5Y

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 51: Influence of Land Use and Point Source Pollution on Water Quality in a Developed Region: A Case Study in Shunde, China

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 51: Influence of Land Use and Point Source Pollution on Water Quality in a Developed Region: A Case Study in Shunde, China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010051

Authors: Wenjing Bo Xiaoke Wang Qianqian Zhang Yi Xiao Zhiyun Ouyang

To design and implement policy to manage water quality, it is important to investigate land use and possible sources of pollution. In this study, using Pearson regression analysis, redundancy analysis and multiple regression analysis, we assess the influence of land use and point sources on water quality in the river system in Shunde district in 2000 and 2010. The results show that water quality was related positively with water surface but negatively with impervious and urban greening area. Additionally, water quality was related negatively to point source emissions of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N). The total explanatory power of spatial variation of water quality was improved from 43.4% to 60.0% in 2000 and from 31.3% to 57.8% in 2010, respectively, when the influence of point sources was added into redundancy analysis between water quality and land use. Thus, both land use management and point source pollution control should be considered for improving river water quality.

http://ift.tt/2zOQDJB

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 52: Antibiotic Resistance of Acinetobacter spp. Isolates from the River Danube: Susceptibility Stays High

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 52: Antibiotic Resistance of Acinetobacter spp. Isolates from the River Danube: Susceptibility Stays High

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010052

Authors: Clemens Kittinger Alexander Kirschner Michaela Lipp Rita Baumert Franz Mascher Andreas Farnleitner Gernot Zarfel

Acinetobacter spp. occur naturally in many different habitats, including food, soil, and surface waters. In clinical settings, Acinetobacter poses an increasing health problem, causing infections with limited to no antibiotic therapeutic options left. The presence of human generated multidrug resistant strains is well documented but the extent to how widely they are distributed within the Acinetobacter population is unknown. In this study, Acinetobacter spp. were isolated from water samples at 14 sites of the whole course of the river Danube. Susceptibility testing was carried out for 14 clinically relevant antibiotics from six different antibiotic classes. Isolates showing a carbapenem resistance phenotype were screened with PCR and sequencing for the underlying resistance mechanism of carbapenem resistance. From the Danube river water, 262 Acinetobacter were isolated, the most common species was Acinetobacter baumannii with 135 isolates. Carbapenem and multiresistant isolates were rare but one isolate could be found which was only susceptible to colistin. The genetic background of carbapenem resistance was mostly based on typical Acinetobacter OXA enzymes but also on VIM-2. The population of Acinetobacter (baumannii and non-baumannii) revealed a significant proportion of human-generated antibiotic resistance and multiresistance, but the majority of the isolates stayed susceptible to most of the tested antibiotics.

http://ift.tt/2CbGQTD

Heat release rate of wooden cribs with water application for fire suppression

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Fire Safety Journal, Volume 95
Author(s): Masaki Noaki, Michael A. Delichatsios, Jun-ichi Yamaguchi, Yoshifumi Ohmiya
A series of experiments was conducted in order to measure the maximum heat release rate of a wood crib ignited at the center of its base after water applications which were not sufficient to extinguish the wood crib fire. The novelty of the present experiments lies in distributing the water uniformly just above the top surface thus ensuring what the exact delivery density is. Uniform water distribution was produced by a system of pipes with holes 5 cm above the wood crib. The variable experimental parameters were the number of layers of wood cribs (6, 9, 12), the water delivered density, and the water activation time. The size of the wood sticks is fixed and they are layered in a fixed staggered way alternating at 9 or 10 sticks per layer. Regardless of the number of wood crib layers, the reduction of the maximum heat release rate by water supplication was proportional to the total water flow rate W˙. The constant of proportionality is approximately 12 kJ/g in these experiments for all water delivered densities and all numbers of layers of wood cribs where water was applied either earlier or just when the maximum heat release rate was reached in the free burning wood crib fires. The proportionality factor 12 kJ/g is explained by noting that the heat removed per unit time by the completely evaporated water is proportional to the water application rate times the heat of evaporation and that this leads to the reduction of mass loss rate to be proportional to the water application rate multiplied by the heat of evaporation and divided by the heat of pyrolysis of wood. Therefore, the reduction of heat release rate is equal to the reduction of the mass loss rate multiplied by the heat of combustion of wood. In addition, data for the total heat released and the total mass loss also support the proposition that the reduction in the total heat release is due to the extinction of the wood crib burning area being proportional to the water supply rate. We expect that these results to be applicable as long as the burning of wood crib is fuel controlled.



http://ift.tt/2Dzc1EF

Association between community noise and adiposity in patients with cardiovascular disease

Angel M Dzhambov, Penka D Gatseva, Mariya P Tokmakova, Nikolai G Zdravkov, Stefka V Vladeva, Dolina G Gencheva, Nevena G Ivanova, Krasimir I Karastanev, Emanuela V Vasileva, Aleksandar T Donchev

Noise and Health 2017 19(91):270-277

Introduction: This study aimed to explore the effect of community noise on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Materials and Methods: A representative sample of 132 patients from three tertiary hospitals in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria was collected. Anthropometric measurements were linked to global noise annoyance (GNA) based on different residential noise annoyances, day–evening–night (Lden), and nighttime (Lnight) road traffic noise exposure. Noise map Lden and Lnight were determined at the living room and bedroom façades, respectively, and further corrected to indoor exposure based on the window-opening frequency and soundproofing insulation. Results and Discussion: Results showed that BMI and WC increased (non-significantly) per 5 dB. The effect of indoor noise was stronger in comparison with that of outdoor noise. For indoor Lden, the effect was more pronounced in men, those with diabetes, family history of diabetes, high noise sensitivity, using solid fuel/gas for domestic heating/cooking, and living on the first floor. As regards indoor Lnight, its effect was more pronounced in those with low socioeconomic status, hearing loss, and using solid fuel/gas for domestic heating/cooking. GNA was associated with lower BMI and WC. Conclusion: Road traffic noise was associated with an increase in adiposity in some potentially vulnerable patients with CVD.

http://ift.tt/2pT6Opn

Cognitive function predicts listening effort performance during complex tasks in normally aging adults

Jennine Harvey, Deborah von Hapsburg, Scott Seeman

Noise and Health 2017 19(91):254-262

Purpose: This study examines whether cognitive function, as measured by the subtests of the Woodcock–Johnson III (WCJ-III) assessment, predicts listening-effort performance during dual tasks across the adults of varying ages. Materials and Methods: Participants were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 14 listeners (number of females = 11) who were 41–61 years old [mean = 53.18; standard deviation (SD) = 5.97]. Group 2 consisted of 15 listeners (number of females = 9) who were 63–81 years old (mean = 72.07; SD = 5.11). Participants were administered the WCJ-III Memory for Words, Auditory Working Memory, Visual Matching, and Decision Speed subtests. All participants were tested in each of the following three dual-task experimental conditions, which were varying in complexity: (1) auditory word recognition + visual processing, (2) auditory working memory (word) + visual processing, and (3) auditory working memory (sentence) + visual processing in noise. Results: A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that task complexity significantly affected the performance measures of auditory accuracy, visual accuracy, and processing speed. Linear regression revealed that the cognitive subtests of the WCJ-III test significantly predicted performance across dependent variable measures. Conclusion: Listening effort is significantly affected by task complexity, regardless of age. Performance on the WCJ-III test may predict listening effort in adults and may assist speech-language pathologist (SLPs) to understand challenges faced by participants when subjected to noise.

http://ift.tt/2EcL6zT

Cardiovascular risk factors in noise-exposed workers in china: Small area study

Xiaoyuan Wu, Daya Yang, Wendong Fan, Chunyue Fan, Guifu Wu

Noise and Health 2017 19(91):245-253

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether there are changes in cardiovascular risk factors among noise-exposed workers and to explore the possible mechanisms of a long-term noise exposure leading to cardiovascular disease and the sex differences of cardiovascular risk factors in this population. Materials and Methods: Two hundred workers engaged in noise-related work, and a control group of 200 nonnoise-exposed workers hospitalized for occupational health examination were assigned into the study. All workers underwent a medical examination, electrocardiogram recording, blood pressure test, other blood tests, and audiometry. The collected blood was used to detect homocysteine (HCY), renin, angiotensin II, and other markers of cardiovascular risk factors. Results: Our study suggests that the type of work with long-term exposure to noise might pose a cardiovascular risk, as evidenced by associated increases in plasma HCY levels, incidence of type 2 diabetes, and incidence of hypertension. Discussion: Our research also reveals that among male workers, the levels of triglycerides, uric acid, HCY, renin activity, and the incidence of hypertension are higher than female, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is lower than female workers had. Additionally, the study emphasizes again the importance of weight control for reducing cardiovascular risk. Conclusion: Our study suggests that noise is a cardiovascular risk factor. Interventions in the work environment could be a preventable and controllable manner for reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease.

http://ift.tt/2pY13qu

Audiometric notch and extended high-frequency hearing threshold shift in relation to total leisure noise exposure: An exploratory analysis

Wenjia Wei, Stefanie Heinze, Doris G Gerstner, Sandra M Walser, Dorothee Twardella, Christina Reiter, Veronika Weilnhammer, Carmelo Perez-Alvarez, Thomas Steffens, Caroline E.W Herr

Noise and Health 2017 19(91):263-269

Background: Studies investigating leisure noise effect on extended high frequency hearing are insufficient and they have inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to investigate if extended high-frequency hearing threshold shift is related to audiometric notch, and if total leisure noise exposure is associated with extended high-frequency hearing threshold shift. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire of the Ohrkan cohort study was used to collect information on demographics and leisure time activities. Conventional and extended high-frequency audiometry was performed. We did logistic regression between extended high-frequency hearing threshold shift and audiometric notch as well as between total leisure noise exposure and extended high-frequency hearing threshold shift. Potential confounders (sex, school type, and firecrackers) were included. Results: Data from 278 participants (aged 18–23 years, 53.2% female) were analyzed. Associations between hearing threshold shift at 10, 11.2, 12.5, and 14 kHz with audiometric notch were observed with a higher prevalence of threshold shift at the four frequencies, compared to the notch. However, we found no associations between total leisure noise exposure and hearing threshold shift at any extended high frequency. Conclusion: This exploratory analysis suggests that while extended high-frequency hearing threshold shifts are not related to total leisure noise exposure, they are strongly associated with audiometric notch. This leads us to further explore the hypothesis that extended high-frequency threshold shift might be indicative of the appearance of audiometric notch at a later time point, which can be investigated in the future follow-ups of the Ohrkan cohort.

http://ift.tt/2EhytDK

Using auditory steady-state responses for measuring hearing protector occlusion effect

Olivier Valentin, Frédéric Laville

Noise and Health 2017 19(91):278-285

Introduction: The currently available methods for measuring the occlusion effect (OE) of hearing protection devices (HPDs) have limitations. Objective microphonic measurements do not assess bone-conducted sounds directly transmitted to the cochlea. Psychophysical measurements at threshold are biased due to the low-frequency masking effects from test participants’ physiological noise and the variability of measurements based on subjective responses. An auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) procedure is used as a technique that might overcome these limitations. Participants and Methods: Pure-tone stimuli (250 and 500 Hz), with amplitude modulated at 40 Hz, were presented to twelve adults with normal hearing through a bone vibrator at three levels in 10-dB steps. The following two conditions were assessed: the unoccluded ear canal and occluded ear canal. ASSR amplitude data as a function of the stimulation level were linearized using least-square regressions. The ASSR-based “physiological” OE was then calculated as the average difference between the two measurements. Results: A significant statistical difference was found between the average threshold-based psychophysical OE and the average ASSR-based OE. Conclusion: This study successfully ascertained that it is possible to objectively measure the OE of HPD using ASSRs collected on the same participant both with and without protectors.

http://ift.tt/2pT6l6B

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 48: The Vulnerability of People to Damaging Hydrogeological Events in the Calabria Region (Southern Italy)

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 48: The Vulnerability of People to Damaging Hydrogeological Events in the Calabria Region (Southern Italy)

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010048

Authors: Olga Petrucci Paola Salvati Luigi Aceto Cinzia Bianchi Angela Pasqua Mauro Rossi Fausto Guzzetti

Background: Damaging Hydrogeological Events (DHEs) are severe weather periods during which floods, landslides, lightning, windstorms, hail or storm surges can harm people. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency/intensity of DHEs and, consequently, the potential harm to people. Method: We investigated the impacts of DHEs on people in Calabria (Italy) over 37 years (1980–2016). Data on 7288 people physically affected by DHEs were gathered from the systematic analysis of regional newspapers and collected in the database named PEOPLE. The damage was codified in three severity levels as follows: fatalities (people who were killed), injured (people who suffered physical harm) and involved (people who were present at the place where an accident occurred but survived and were not harmed). During the study period, we recorded 68 fatalities, 566 injured and 6654 people involved in the events. Results: Males were more frequently killed, injured and involved than females, and females who suffered fatalities were older than males who suffered fatalities, perhaps indicating that younger females tended to be more cautious than same-aged males, while older females showed an intrinsic greater vulnerability. Involved people were younger than injured people and fatalities, suggesting that younger people show greater promptness in reacting to dangerous situations. Floods caused the majority of the fatalities, injured and involved people, followed by landslides. Lightning was the most dangerous phenomenon, and it affected a relatively low number of people, killing 11.63% of them and causing injuries to 37.2%. Fatalities and injuries mainly occurred outdoors, largely along roads. In contrast, people indoors, essentially in public or private buildings, were more frequently involved without suffering harm. Being “dragged by water/mud” and “surrounded by water/mud”, respectively, represented the two extremes of dynamic dangerousness. The dragging effect of rapid-flowing water totally or partially obstructed the attempts of people to save their lives. In contrast, people surrounded by steady water/mud encountered difficulties but ultimately could survive. Conclusions: The study outcomes can be used in informational campaigns to increase risk awareness among both administrators and citizens and to improve community resilience, particularly in promoting self-protective behaviors and avoiding the underestimation of hazardous situations.

http://ift.tt/2lqbNZi

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 50: Estimating the Excess Mortality Risk during Two Red Alert Periods in Beijing, China

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 50: Estimating the Excess Mortality Risk during Two Red Alert Periods in Beijing, China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010050

Authors: Weilin Zeng Lingling Lang Yue Li Lingchuan Guo Hualiang Lin Yonghui Zhang Tao Liu Jianpeng Xiao Xing Li Yanjun Xu Xiaojun Xu Lauren Arnold Erik Nelson Zhengmin Qian Wenjun Ma

The magnitude of excess mortality risk due to exposures to heavy air pollution during the red alert periods in Beijing remains unknown. A health impact assessment tool combined with the PM2.5-mortality relationship was applied to estimate the number of excess deaths due to high air pollution exposure during two red alert periods in Beijing, China in December 2015. Daily PM2.5 concentration increased from 80.2 µg/m3 to 159.8 µg/m3 during the first red alert period and from 61.9 µg/m3 to 226 µg/m3 during the second period in 2015 when compared to daily PM2.5 concentrations during the same calendar date of 2013 and 2014. It was estimated that 26 to 42 excessive deaths (including 14 to 34 cardiovascular deaths, and four to 16 respiratory deaths) occurred during the first period, and 40 to 65 excessive deaths (22 to 53 cardiovascular deaths, and six to 13 respiratory deaths) occurred during the second period. The results show that heavy smog may have substantially increased the mortality risk in Beijing, suggesting more stringent air pollution controlling measures should be implemented to protect the public health.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 49: Impact of Interprofessional Relationships from Nurses’ Perspective on the Decision-Making Capacity of Patients in a Clinical Setting

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 49: Impact of Interprofessional Relationships from Nurses’ Perspective on the Decision-Making Capacity of Patients in a Clinical Setting

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010049

Authors: Jesús Molina-Mula Julia Gallo-Estrada Catalina Perelló-Campaner

Interprofessional relationships may impact the decision making of patients in a clinical setting. The objective of this study was to analyse the decision-making capabilities of patients from nurses’ perspectives of interprofessional relationships using Foucauldian ethics. This qualitative study was based on poststructuralist Foucault references with in-depth interviews of nurses working in internal medicine and specialties in a general hospital. The patients constantly appeared in the definition of teamwork, but also as a passive element used by every professional to communicate with others. Nurses continue modelling a type of patient passivity, or what Foucault called passive subjectivity in relation to oneself, because the patient is guided and directed to take charge of a truth provided by professionals. Nurses must break the rigid design of sections or professional skills, and adopt a model of teamwork that meets the needs of the patient and increases their decision-making power. The quality of care will increase to the extent that professionals establish a relationship of equality with the patient, allowing the patient to make real decisions about their care. An egalitarian model of teamwork is beneficial to the patient, abandoning the idea of a team where the patient and family are constantly excluded from decisions about their care.

http://ift.tt/2lsi1aP

Forty years of material flammability: An appraisal of its role, its experimental determination and its modelling

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Fire Safety Journal, Volume 96
Author(s): Nicolas Bal
Material flammability is a fundamental aspect of fire as it corresponds to the root of a fire. Its characterisation through the identification of “fire properties” is essential. The concept of material flammability has evolved in the past forty years and its experimental and numerical development has followed the evolution of its role in the Fire Safety Engineering strategy. Two main approaches coexist: ranking-based and comprehensive. While the ranking-based approach is still mainly used in a prescriptive strategy, comprehensive approaches, more fundamental, expand with the growing use of the Performance-Based strategy.There are weaknesses associated with both approaches. The origin of these weaknesses can be understood by investigating the difficulties associated with the measurement and the modelling of material flammability.It ends up that despite the significant improvement in the past forty years, material flammability still represent a weak point in the global assessment of the fire safety level. Indeed, while the Heat Release Rate (HRR) is considered as the most important parameter in Fire Safety Engineering studies, it is also probably the “fire property” with the highest uncertainty.However, material flammability should not and cannot prevent innovation and building construction. This implies that the fire safety level should be thought of as a societal risk.



http://ift.tt/2zJlpmS

Simplified analysis method for catenary action of restrained cellular steel beams at elevated temperature considering strain reversal

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Fire Safety Journal, Volume 95
Author(s): Lulu Zhang, Peijun Wang
A Simplified Analysis Method (SAM) for predicting catenary action of restrained Cellular Steel Beams (CSB) at elevated temperature, as an alternative of finite element method, was proposed in this paper. A finite element model was developed and validated by existing test results and numerical results first. The temperature distribution along the section height was assumed to be linear based on available research results. Then the simplified analysis method was developed based on equilibrium equations, constitutive equations and geometric equations. The approach considered non-uniform temperature, geometric non-linearity, material non-linearity, as well as strain reversal when calculating section stresses. A series of parametric study using verified numerical model were then carried out to assess the accuracy of the proposed method. It was found that the simplified method yielded results which agreed well with those obtained from Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A lower compressive force and catenary tension were predicted when the web at perforated section was not considered. And the ignorance of strain reversal in the SAM would lead to a larger deflection prediction. The simple approach could also be used to predict the behavior of the beam subjected to non-uniform temperature distribution across the section in the latter stage of a fire, which may not always be obtained from FEA due to convergence problem.



http://ift.tt/2C43VYq

A fire risk assessment model for residential high-rises with a single stairwell

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Fire Safety Journal, Volume 95
Author(s): N.D. Hansen, F.B. Steffensen, M. Valkvist, G. Jomaas, R. Van Coile
As few or none prescriptive guidelines for fire risk assessment of residential high-rise buildings exist, it has been unclear which fire safety design features constitute an acceptable (adequate) safety level. In order to fill this gap a simplified risk-based decision-support tool, the Fire Risk Model (FRM), was developed. The FRM evaluates both the risk level to the occupants and the property risk level as a function of the building characteristics, height and fire safety features for single stairwell residential high-rise buildings. The acceptability of a high-rise design is then defined through comparison with the risk level associated with a 22 m high prescriptive design. The FRM and its applicability are introduced by summarily revisiting the concept of equivalency and adequate safety. The underlying assumptions and the pitfalls of equivalency assessments are discussed, and the associated performance of the FRM evaluated. It was found that compartmentation and the door configurations in the egress path play an important role, along with sprinklers, in order for the design to successfully keep the stairwell free from smoke. Specifically, modern curtain wall facades were found to result in a reduced safety level compared to traditional facades with a spandrel. When opting for a modern curtain wall, additional safety features were found to be required in order to obtain an equivalent safety level.



http://ift.tt/2zKq2NE

Modelling the fire resistance of steel-to-timber dowelled connections loaded perpendicularly to the grain

Publication date: Available online 28 December 2017
Source:Fire Safety Journal
Author(s): Pedro Palma, Andrea Frangi
A framework to model timber connections at normal temperature and in fire, based on combined finite-element (FE) heat-transfer analyses and temperature-dependent Johansen-type load-carrying models, was developed and applied in a parametric study of previously tested beam-to-column steel-to-timber dowelled connections. Comparison with experimental results shows that the FE heat transfer models provide good estimates of measured temperatures and the load-carrying model gives good approximations of the load-carrying capacity at normal temperature (for dowel and embedment failures) and under standard fire exposure. For the degrees of utilisation expected in fire Efi/R20≈0.3, the developed models are able to predict the failure mode of each dowel and the expected load-carrying capacity. Simulation results showed a clear influence of the thickness of the side members on the fire resistance of the analysed connections. The influence of dowel spacing is not so clear, as it also depends on the dowel diameter. A smaller dowel diameter seems to slightly improve the fire resistance, namely for smaller degrees of utilisation or thinner side members, but compromises the load carrying capacity at normal temperature.



http://ift.tt/2C5qPi4

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 44: Trauma and Pain in Family-Orientated Societies

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 44: Trauma and Pain in Family-Orientated Societies

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010044

Authors: Jan Kizilhan

People from family-oriented societies in particular, in addition to having a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suffer from chronic pain and physical complaints. Such people have a different understanding of physical illness and pain and, compared to patients from western societies, have different ideas on healing, even when confronted with the therapist. Hitherto, these factors have not been sufficiently taken into account in modern, multi-module therapy approaches. Trauma can be perceived via pain and physical complaints, whereby the pain is not restricted to one part of the body but is seen as covering the body as a whole. Therefore, in the treatment and above all in the patient-therapist relationship, it is necessary to understand what importance is attached to the perceived pain in relation to the trauma. The afflicted body expresses the trauma in the shape of its further-reaching consequences such as the patient’s social, collective, economic and cultural sensitivity. Therefore, for the effective treatment of trauma and chronic pain, it is necessary to use a multi-modal, interdisciplinary, and culture-sensitive approach when treating patients from traditional cultural backgrounds.

http://ift.tt/2E3yn2a

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 45: Contamination of Tea and Tea Infusion with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 45: Contamination of Tea and Tea Infusion with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010045

Authors: Alicja Zachara Dorota Gałkowska Lesław Juszczak

The aim of this work was to validate the method of determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), i.e., benzo(a)pyrene and sum of benzo(a)pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene and chrysene in different types of tea, as well as to assess the transfer of these contaminants from tea to tea infusion. The research materials were popular types of black, green, red and white tea. Quantitative and qualitative determination of PAHs was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with fluorimetric detection (HPLC-FLD). The samples were prepared by QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) technique followed by cleaning-up by dispersion solid-phase extraction (d-SPE). Values of limit of detection and limit of quantification obtained in the validation of the method were lower than the respective maximum values given in Commission Regulation (EU) No. 836/2011. The level of contamination of popular teas commercially available on the Polish market with PAHs is similar to that of teas available in other countries, with a very large variation in the concentration of each of the compounds. The highest benzo(a)pyrene and Σ4PAHs contents (209 ± 42 μg/kg and 756 ± 151 μg/kg, respectively) were found for black tea leaves. The transfer of Σ4PAHs from black tea to tea infusions was 0.48%, while it was 1.55–1.72% for red, white and green teas.

http://ift.tt/2pKiuec

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 46: Surveillance of Environmental and Procedural Measures of Infection Control in the Operating Theatre Setting

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 46: Surveillance of Environmental and Procedural Measures of Infection Control in the Operating Theatre Setting

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010046

Authors: Laura Dallolio Alessandra Raggi Tiziana Sanna Magda Mazzetti Alessandra Orsi Angela Zanni Patrizia Farruggia Erica Leoni

The microbiological contamination of operating theatres and the lack of adherence to best practices by surgical staff represent some of the factors affecting Surgical Site Infections (SSIs). The aim of the present study was to assess the microbiological quality of operating settings and the staff compliance to the SSI evidence-based control measures. Ten operating rooms were examined for microbiological contamination of air and surfaces, after cleaning procedures, in “at rest” conditions. Furthermore, 10 surgical operations were monitored to assess staff compliance to the recommended practices. None of the air samples exceeded microbiological reference standards and only six of the 200 surface samples (3.0%) were slightly above recommended levels. Potentially pathogenic bacteria and moulds were never detected. Staff compliance to best practices varied depending on the type of behaviour investigated and the role of the operator. The major not compliant behaviours were: pre-operative skin antisepsis, crowding of the operating room and hand hygiene of the anaesthetist. The good environmental microbiological quality observed is indicative of the efficacy of the cleaning-sanitization procedures adopted. The major critical point was staff compliance to recommended practices. Awareness campaigns are therefore necessary, aimed at improving the organisation of work so as to facilitate compliance to operative protocols.

http://ift.tt/2lbMMl6

Measurement of geometric and radiative properties of heptane pool fires

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Fire Safety Journal, Volume 96
Author(s): Vinay C. Raj, S.V. Prabhu
The objective of the present work is to characterize heptane pool fires for pool diameters ranging from 0.1 m to 1.0 m, in a quiescent environment. Characterization of pool fires is done by determining various parameters such as the mass burning rate, puffing frequency, flame height, optical thickness, spatial distribution of emissivity and temperature, irradiance and fire safety distance. Measurement of the instantaneous mass burning rate indicates the presence of two steady states: an initial steady state and a bulk boiling steady state. The mass burning rate is found to decrease with increase in the free board height. Flame height is determined based on the definition of intermittency. Puffing frequency is obtained from the visible images by tracking the vortical structures in flames. The obtained results for the flame height and puffing frequency match well with the correlations presented in the literature.Flame emissivity is determined from the mass burning rate as well as a refined technique that determines the transmissivity of the electrically heated strips placed behind the flame. Radiative properties such as temperature distribution and irradiance at a distance are calculated from the thermal images. The irradiance at a distance obtained using the infrared camera is compared with Schimdt-Boelter gauge. The effect of fire size on the optical thickness, radiative fraction and fire safety distance has been examined.



http://ift.tt/2pJVs71

Fire behaviour of reinforced concrete slabs under combined biaxial in-plane and out-of-plane loads

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Fire Safety Journal, Volume 96
Author(s): Yong Wang, Luke A. Bisby, Teng-yan Wang, Guanglin Yuan, Emran Baharudin
To better understand the fire behaviour of in-plane restrained reinforced concrete slabs, this paper presents the results of five fire tests on two-way spanning concrete slabs under compressive biaxial in-plane and flexural out-of-plane loads. The data presented include furnace temperatures, temperature distributions, vertical and horizontal deflections, restraint forces, crack patterns, and characterisation of spalling of the five slabs during both heating and cooling phases. Comparison of the results indicates that the fire behaviour of the restrained slabs is dependent on the restraint type, restraint level and the aspect ratio, and thus increasing the in-plane forces may result in an increase or a decrease of the mid-span deflections of the concrete slabs. Fire behaviour of the restrained slabs are considerably different from those of the simply supported slabs, and thus the effect of uniaxial or biaxial in-plane restraints on the failure mode should be considered to develop reasonable failure criteria for these slabs. In addition, it is suggested that the corners of the in-plane restrained slabs should be reinforced by arranging the whole span top steels along two directions since the corners fracture easily with large diagonal cracks during the fire tests.



http://ift.tt/2E2Pbq2

Occupational exposure to textile dust and lung cancer risk: Results from the ICARE Study

Background

To investigate the association of lung cancer with occupational exposure to textile dust and specifically to cotton dust in the population-based case-control study ICARE.

Methods

Lifelong occupational history of 2926 cases and 3555 controls was collected using standardized questionnaires, with specific questions for textile dust exposure. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression models controlling for confounding factors including smoking and asbestos exposure.

Results

An inverse association between textile dust exposure and lung cancer was found among workers exposed ≥5% of their work time (OR = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.58-1.09), more pronounced for distant exposures (40+ years; up to a 56% reduced risk, statistically significant). The OR of lung cancer was significantly decreased among workers exposed to cotton fibers (OR = 0.70, 95%CI = 0.48-0.97).

Conclusions

Our results provide some evidence of a decreased risk of lung cancer associated with exposure to textile dust, particularly cotton.

http://ift.tt/2lhmxcc

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 43: Disparities in Non-Fatal Health Outcomes in Pediatric General Trauma Studies

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 43: Disparities in Non-Fatal Health Outcomes in Pediatric General Trauma Studies

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010043

Authors: Shanthi Ameratunga Jacqueline Ramke Nicki Jackson Sandar Tin Tin Belinda Gabbe

When prevention efforts fail, injured children require high-quality health services to support their recovery. Disparities in non-fatal injury outcomes, an indicator of health-care quality, have received minimal attention. We evaluated the extent to which general trauma follow-up studies published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature provide evidence of socially patterned inequities in health, functional or disability outcomes ≥4 weeks after childhood injuries. Using a systematic search, we identified 27 eligible cohort studies from 13 high-income countries. We examined the extent to which the reported health outcomes varied across the PROGRESS criteria: place of residence, race/ethnicity, occupation, gender/sex, religion, socio-economic status, and social capital. The available evidence on differential outcomes is limited as many studies were compromised by selection or retention biases that reduced the participation of children from demographic groups at increased risk of adverse outcomes, or the analyses mainly focused on variations in outcomes by sex. Given the limited research evidence, we recommend greater attention to systematic collection and reporting of non-fatal injury outcomes disaggregated by socio-demographic indicators in order to identify disparities where these exist and inform equity-focused interventions promoting the recovery of injured children.

http://ift.tt/2pJA5CT

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 39: Estimating the Causal Impact of Proximity to Gold and Copper Mines on Respiratory Diseases in Chilean Children: An Application of Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimation

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 39: Estimating the Causal Impact of Proximity to Gold and Copper Mines on Respiratory Diseases in Chilean Children: An Application of Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimation

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010039

Authors: Ronald Herrera Ursula Berger Ondine von Ehrenstein Iván Díaz Stella Huber Daniel Moraga Muñoz Katja Radon

In a town located in a desert area of Northern Chile, gold and copper open-pit mining is carried out involving explosive processes. These processes are associated with increased dust exposure, which might affect children’s respiratory health. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the causal attributable risk of living close to the mines on asthma or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis risk burden in children. Data on the prevalence of respiratory diseases and potential confounders were available from a cross-sectional survey carried out in 2009 among 288 (response: 69 % ) children living in the community. The proximity of the children’s home addresses to the local gold and copper mine was calculated using geographical positioning systems. We applied targeted maximum likelihood estimation to obtain the causal attributable risk (CAR) for asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and both outcomes combined. Children living more than the first quartile away from the mines were used as the unexposed group. Based on the estimated CAR, a hypothetical intervention in which all children lived at least one quartile away from the copper mine would decrease the risk of rhinoconjunctivitis by 4.7 percentage points (CAR: − 4.7 ; 95 % confidence interval ( 95 % CI): − 8.4 ; − 0.11 ); and 4.2 percentage points (CAR: − 4.2 ; 95 % CI: − 7.9 ; − 0.05 ) for both outcomes combined. Overall, our results suggest that a hypothetical intervention intended to increase the distance between the place of residence of the highest exposed children would reduce the prevalence of respiratory disease in the community by around four percentage points. This approach could help local policymakers in the development of efficient public health strategies.

http://ift.tt/2C8BSXh

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 42: Biomarkers for Pulmonary Inflammation and Fibrosis and Lung Ventilation Function in Chinese Occupational Refractory Ceramic Fibers-Exposed Workers

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 42: Biomarkers for Pulmonary Inflammation and Fibrosis and Lung Ventilation Function in Chinese Occupational Refractory Ceramic Fibers-Exposed Workers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010042

Authors: Xiaojun Zhu Yishuo Gu Wenjun Ma Panjun Gao Mengxuan Liu Pei Xiao Hongfei Wang Juan Chen Tao Li

Refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs) can cause adverse health effects on workers’ respiratory system, yet no proper biomarkers have been used to detect early pulmonary injury of RCFs-exposed workers. This study assessed the levels of two biomarkers that are related to respiratory injury in RCFs-exposed workers, and explored their relations with lung function. The exposure levels of total dust and respirable fibers were measured simultaneously in RCFs factories. The levels of TGF-β1 and ceruloplasmin (CP) increased with the RCFs exposure level (p &lt; 0.05), and significantly increased in workers with high exposure level (1.21 ± 0.49 ng/mL, 115.25 ± 32.44 U/L) when compared with the control group (0.99 ± 0.29 ng/mL, 97.90 ± 35.01 U/L) (p &lt; 0.05). The levels of FVC and FEV1 were significantly decreased in RCFs exposure group (p &lt; 0.05). Negative relations were found between the concentrations of CP and FVC (B = −0.423, p = 0.025), or FEV1 (B = −0.494, p = 0.014). The concentration of TGF-β1 (B = 0.103, p = 0.001) and CP (B = 8.027, p = 0.007) were associated with respirable fiber exposure level. Occupational exposure to RCFs can impair lung ventilation function and may have the potential to cause pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. TGF-β1 and CP might be used as sensitive and noninvasive biomarkers to detect lung injury in occupational RCFs-exposed workers. Respirable fiber concentration can better reflect occupational RCFs exposure and related respiratory injuries.

http://ift.tt/2BGsgiR

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 41: Selection of a Very Active Microbial Community for the Coupled Treatment of Tetramethylammonium Hydroxide and Photoresist in Aqueous Solutions

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 41: Selection of a Very Active Microbial Community for the Coupled Treatment of Tetramethylammonium Hydroxide and Photoresist in Aqueous Solutions

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010041

Authors: Giulio Moretti Federica Matteucci Matteo Saraullo Francesco Vegliò Maddalena del Gallo

Aerobic treatment of wastewater containing Tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and photoresist was investigated using a lab scale reactor inoculated with activated sludge coming from urban wastewater treatment that never received TMAH before. The consumption of TMAH was monitored by liquid ion chromatography. Biodiversity indices were calculated from Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) bands distribution and used to estimate changes in community composition related to adaptation to the new feeding compound. The first week of adaptation was crucial, and it was analyzed in detail: many organisms died, and the microbial community suffered a great shock. TMAH levels remained constant through the first four days, and then suddenly dropped to undetectable, and at the same time NH4+ increased. When the community showed complete adaptation, predominant groups of bacteria were obtained by the Illumina sequencing of 16s rDNA amplicons, to provide insights on ecology of the adapted community, focusing on the main actors of TMAH abatement. Richness of species (Rr) peaks suggest that the development of TMAH-consuming bacteria leads to persistent consortia that maintain toxicity resistance over time. This showed adaptation and changes of the population to the different feeding conditions, and it opens new perspectives in the in situ treatment of these important residues of industrial processes without relying on external processing plants.

http://ift.tt/2E0pjem

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 40: Risk Factors for Internet Gaming Disorder: Psychological Factors and Internet Gaming Characteristics

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 40: Risk Factors for Internet Gaming Disorder: Psychological Factors and Internet Gaming Characteristics

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010040

Authors: Mi Rho Hyeseon Lee Taek-Ho Lee Hyun Cho Dong Jung Dai-Jin Kim In Choi

Background: Understanding the risk factors associated with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is important to predict and diagnose the condition. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors that predict IGD based on psychological factors and Internet gaming characteristics; Methods: Online surveys were conducted between 26 November and 26 December 2014. There were 3568 Korean Internet game users among a total of 5003 respondents. We identified 481 IGD gamers and 3087 normal Internet gamers, based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify significant risk factors for IGD; Results: The following eight risk factors were found to be significantly associated with IGD: functional and dysfunctional impulsivity (odds ratio: 1.138), belief self-control (1.034), anxiety (1.086), pursuit of desired appetitive goals (1.105), money spent on gaming (1.005), weekday game time (1.081), offline community meeting attendance (2.060), and game community membership (1.393; p &lt; 0.05 for all eight risk factors); Conclusions: These risk factors allow for the prediction and diagnosis of IGD. In the future, these risk factors could also be used to inform clinical services for IGD diagnosis and treatment.

http://ift.tt/2l4eVuw

Numerical simulation of the fire behaviour of timber dovetail connections

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Fire Safety Journal, Volume 96
Author(s): Rubén Regueira, Manuel Guaita
In this paper, the finite element method (FEM) is used in order to develop a simulation of the mechanical performance of timber rounded dovetail connections between joists and beams under a fire event. The simulation is developed using the commercial FEM software ANSYS, and it is validated using the results of several experimental tests. These experimental tests were performed on spruce specimens as per the European regulations, and lasted for 30 min.The numerical simulation was developed using the methodology supported by the European regulations (Eurocode 5), and consisted of a transient thermal and static structural coupled system.Numerical results show a good agreement with the experimental ones, so ANSYS and the described methodology prove to be good tools to simulate the performance of timber dovetail connections under a fire event. Traditional failure criteria, which are useful at room temperature, such as Tsai-Wu one, are used in the simulation in order to predict the failure time, but it was demonstrated that this failure criterion is useless at high temperatures, as the ones reached under a 30-min fire event.



http://ift.tt/2l3FZK8

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 37: Occupational Exposure to Solar Radiation at Different Latitudes and Pterygium: A Systematic Review of the Last 10 Years of Scientific Literature

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 37: Occupational Exposure to Solar Radiation at Different Latitudes and Pterygium: A Systematic Review of the Last 10 Years of Scientific Literature

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010037

Authors: Alberto Modenese Fabriziomaria Gobba

Pterygium is a chronic eye disease: among its recognized risk factors there is long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The Sun is the main source of UV exposure: according to the World Health Organization, the Population Attributable Fraction of pterygium due to solar radiation (SR) is 42–74%. Outdoor work can deeply influence the eye exposure to solar UV rays, but, despite this, pterygium is currently not adequately considered as a possible occupational disease in this working category, at least in Europe. For this reason, we performed a systematic review of the scientific literature published in the last ten years (2008–2017) considering the role of outdoor work as a risk factor for pterygium, in order to give new support for the prevention of this UV related disease in workers. We identified 29 relevant papers. Our results show that pterygium prevalence highly increased with latitude and mean annual UV index, and outdoor work is one of the most relevant risk factors, as well as age and male sex, both in high risk and in moderate risk World areas considering the environmental UV levels. Accordingly, pterygium occurring in outdoor workers should be considered an occupational disease. Moreover, our findings clearly support the need of further research on more effective prevention of the occupational risk related to long-term solar radiation exposure of the eye.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 38: A Survey of Naturally-Occurring Steroid Hormones in Raw Milk and the Associated Health Risks in Tangshan City, Hebei Province, China

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 38: A Survey of Naturally-Occurring Steroid Hormones in Raw Milk and the Associated Health Risks in Tangshan City, Hebei Province, China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010038

Authors: Xueyin Qu Chuanyou Su Nan Zheng Songli Li Lu Meng Jiaqi Wang

In recent years, high levels of hormone residue in food, capable of damaging the health of consumers, have been recorded frequently. In this study, 195 raw milk samples were obtained from Tangshan City, China, and the concentrations of 22 steroid hormones were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Cortisol was detected in 12.5% of raw milk samples (mean 0.61 µg/kg; range: &lt;limit of quantification (LOQ)–0.94 µg/kg). Progesterone was detected in 85.9% of raw milk samples (mean 5.12 µg/kg; range: &lt;LOQ–9.04 µg/kg). The concentration of cortisol present in milk was lower than the maximum residue limit defined in Japan (10 µg/kg). Children aged between one and five years were expected to be the at-risk population when exposed to detectable steroid hormone concentrations. Based on the mean and maximum concentrations of progesterone detected in milk, the contribution was 0.85% and 0.9%, and 1.48% and 1.6% of the acceptable daily intake for boys and girls, respectively. These results imply that the concentrations of steroid hormones present in raw milk should not present a health risk for young children.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 35: Aerobic Biodegradation Characteristic of Different Water-Soluble Azo Dyes

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 35: Aerobic Biodegradation Characteristic of Different Water-Soluble Azo Dyes

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010035

Authors: Shixiong Sheng Bo Liu Xiangyu Hou Bing Wu Fang Yao Xinchun Ding Lin Huang

This study investigated the biodegradation performance and characteristics of Sudan I and Acid Orange 7 (AO7) to improve the biological dye removal efficiency in wastewater and optimize the treatment process. The dyes with different water-solubility and similar molecular structure were biologically treated under aerobic condition in parallel continuous-flow mixed stirred reactors. The biophase analysis using microscopic examination suggested that the removal process of the two azo dyes is different. Removal of Sudan I was through biosorption, since it easily assembled and adsorbed on the surface of zoogloea due to its insolubility, while AO7 was biodegraded incompletely and bioconverted, the AO7 molecule was decomposed to benzene series and inorganic ions, since it could reach the interior area of zoogloea due to the low oxidation-reduction potential conditions and corresponding anaerobic microorganisms. The transformation of NH3-N, SO42− together with the presence of tryptophan-like components confirm that AO7 can be decomposed to non-toxic products in an aerobic bioreactor. This study provides a theoretical basis for the use of biosorption or biodegradation mechanisms for the treatment of different azo dyes in wastewater.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 36: Risk Assessment and Implication of Human Exposure to Road Dust Heavy Metals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 36: Risk Assessment and Implication of Human Exposure to Road Dust Heavy Metals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010036

Authors: Ibrahim Shabbaj Mansour Alghamdi Magdy Shamy Salwa Hassan Musaab Alsharif Mamdouh Khoder

Data dealing with the assessment of heavy metal pollution in road dusts in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and its implication to human health risk of human exposure to heavy metals, are scarce. Road dusts were collected from five different functional areas (traffic areas (TA), parking areas (PA), residential areas (RA), mixed residential commercial areas (MCRA) and suburban areas (SA)) in Jeddah and one in a rural area (RUA) in Hada Al Sham. We aimed to measure the pollution levels of heavy metals and estimate their health risk of human exposure applying risk assessment models described by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Using geo-accumulation index (Igeo), the pollution level of heavy metals in urban road dusts was in the following order Cd &gt; As &gt; Pb &gt; Zn &gt; Cu &gt; Ni &gt; Cr &gt; V &gt; Mn &gt; Co &gt; Fe. Urban road dust was found to be moderately to heavily contaminated with As, Pb and Zn, and heavily to extremely contaminated with Cd. Calculation of enrichment factor (EF) revealed that heavy metals in TA had the highest values compared to that of the other functional areas. Cd, As, Pb, Zn and Cu were severely enriched, while Mn, V, Co, Ni and Cr were moderately enriched. Fe was considered as a natural element and consequently excluded. The concentrations of heavy metals in road dusts of functional areas were in the following order: TA &gt; PA &gt; MCRA &gt; SA &gt; RA &gt; RUA. The study revealed that both children and adults in all studied areas having health quotient (HQ) &lt; 1 are at negligible non-carcinogenic risk. The only exception was for children exposed to As in TA. They had an ingestion health quotient (HQing) 1.18 and a health index (HI) 1.19. The most prominent exposure route was ingestion. The cancer risk for children and adults from exposure to Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, and Cr was found to be negligible (≤1 × 10−6).

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 33: Modelling the Transmission Dynamics and Control of Mumps in Mainland China

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 33: Modelling the Transmission Dynamics and Control of Mumps in Mainland China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010033

Authors: Yong Li Xianning Liu Lianwen Wang

Mumps is a common childhood viral disease and children have been vaccinated throughout the world since 1967. The incidence of mumps has increased with more than 300,000 young people infected with mumps annually in mainland China since 2005. Therefore, we designed and analyzed long-term mumps surveillance data in an SVEILR (susceptible–vaccinated–exposed–severely infectious–mildly infectious–recovered) dynamic transmission model with optimized parameter values to describe the dynamics of mumps infections in China. There were 18.02% of mumps infected young adults seeking medical advice. The vaccine coverage has been insufficient in China. Young adults with frequent contact and mild infection were identified as a major driver of mumps epidemics. The reproduction number of mumps was determined 4.28 in China. Sensitivity analysis of the basic reproduction number and the endemic equilibrium was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of mumps control measures. We propose to increase the vaccine coverage and make two doses of MMR (Measles, mumps and rubella) vaccines freely available in China.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 34: Comparison Study on the Estimation of the Spatial Distribution of Regional Soil Metal(loid)s Pollution Based on Kriging Interpolation and BP Neural Network

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 34: Comparison Study on the Estimation of the Spatial Distribution of Regional Soil Metal(loid)s Pollution Based on Kriging Interpolation and BP Neural Network

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010034

Authors: Zhenyi Jia Shenglu Zhou Quanlong Su Haomin Yi Junxiao Wang

Soil pollution by metal(loid)s resulting from rapid economic development is a major concern. Accurately estimating the spatial distribution of soil metal(loid) pollution has great significance in preventing and controlling soil pollution. In this study, 126 topsoil samples were collected in Kunshan City and the geo-accumulation index was selected as a pollution index. We used Kriging interpolation and BP neural network methods to estimate the spatial distribution of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) pollution in the study area. Additionally, we introduced a cross-validation method to measure the errors of the estimation results by the two interpolation methods and discussed the accuracy of the information contained in the estimation results. The conclusions are as follows: data distribution characteristics, spatial variability, and mean square errors (MSE) of the different methods showed large differences. Estimation results from BP neural network models have a higher accuracy, the MSE of As and Cd are 0.0661 and 0.1743, respectively. However, the interpolation results show significant skewed distribution, and spatial autocorrelation is strong. Using Kriging interpolation, the MSE of As and Cd are 0.0804 and 0.2983, respectively. The estimation results have poorer accuracy. Combining the two methods can improve the accuracy of the Kriging interpolation and more comprehensively represent the spatial distribution characteristics of metal(loid)s in regional soil. The study may provide a scientific basis and technical support for the regulation of soil metal(loid) pollution.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 32: Environment-Aware Production Schedulingfor Paint Shops in Automobile Manufacturing: A Multi-Objective Optimization Approach

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 32: Environment-Aware Production Schedulingfor Paint Shops in Automobile Manufacturing: A Multi-Objective Optimization Approach

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010032

Authors: Rui Zhang

The traditional way of scheduling production processes often focuses on profit-driven goals (such as cycle time or material cost) while tending to overlook the negative impacts of manufacturing activities on the environment in the form of carbon emissions and other undesirable by-products. To bridge the gap, this paper investigates an environment-aware production scheduling problem that arises from a typical paint shop in the automobile manufacturing industry. In the studied problem, an objective function is defined to minimize the emission of chemical pollutants caused by the cleaning of painting devices which must be performed each time before a color change occurs. Meanwhile, minimization of due date violations in the downstream assembly shop is also considered because the two shops are interrelated and connected by a limited-capacity buffer. First, we have developed a mixed-integer programming formulation to describe this bi-objective optimization problem. Then, to solve problems of practical size, we have proposed a novel multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm characterized by problem-specific improvement strategies. A branch-and-bound algorithm is designed for accurately assessing the most promising solutions. Finally, extensive computational experiments have shown that the proposed MOPSO is able to match the solution quality of an exact solver on small instances and outperform two state-of-the-art multi-objective optimizers in literature on large instances with up to 200 cars.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 29: Stimulating Parenting Practices in Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Mexican Communities

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 29: Stimulating Parenting Practices in Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Mexican Communities

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010029

Authors: Heather Knauer Emily Ozer William Dow Lia Fernald

Parenting may be influenced by ethnicity; marginalization; education; and poverty. A critical but unexamined question is how these factors may interact to compromise or support parenting practices in ethnic minority communities. This analysis examined associations between mothers’ stimulating parenting practices and a range of child-level (age; sex; and cognitive and socio-emotional development); household-level (indigenous ethnicity; poverty; and parental education); and community-level (economic marginalization and majority indigenous population) variables among 1893 children ages 4–18 months in poor; rural communities in Mexico. We also explored modifiers of associations between living in an indigenous community and parenting. Key findings were that stimulating parenting was negatively associated with living in an indigenous community or family self-identification as indigenous (β = −4.25; SE (Standard Error) = 0.98; β = −1.58; SE = 0.83 respectively). However; living in an indigenous community was associated with significantly more stimulating parenting among indigenous families than living in a non-indigenous community (β = 2.96; SE = 1.25). Maternal education was positively associated with stimulating parenting only in indigenous communities; and household crowding was negatively associated with stimulating parenting only in non-indigenous communities. Mothers’ parenting practices were not associated with child sex; father’s residential status; education; or community marginalization. Our findings demonstrate that despite greater community marginalization; living in an indigenous community is protective for stimulating parenting practices of indigenous mothers.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 30: Emotional Regulation in Young Adults with Internet Gaming Disorder

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 30: Emotional Regulation in Young Adults with Internet Gaming Disorder

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010030

Authors: Ju-Yu Yen Yi-Chun Yeh Peng-Wei Wang Tai-Ling Liu Yun-Yu Chen Chih-Hung Ko

People diagnosed with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) have been frequently reported to experience depression, anxiety, and hostility. Emotional regulation contributes to these mood symptoms. This study evaluated emotional regulation in subjects with IGD and examined relationships between emotional regulation, depression, anxiety, and hostility in young adults with IGD. We recruited 87 people with IGD and a control group of 87 people without a history of IGD. All participants underwent a diagnostic interview based on the IGD criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, and they completed a questionnaire on emotional regulation, depression, anxiety, and hostility. We found that subjects with IGD were less likely to practice cognitive reappraisal and were more likely to suppress their emotions. Linear regression revealed the higher cognitive reappraisal and lower expressive suppression associated with depression, anxiety, and hostility among subjects with IGD. The emotional regulation strategies that characterize those with IGD could be contributing factors to the depression and hostility tendencies of these people. When treating patients with IGD, in addition to providing appropriate interventions to relieve depression and hostility, practitioners should effectively assess emotional regulation strategies and provide emotional regulation therapy to prevent a vicious cycle of negative emotions.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 31: Contact to Nature Benefits Health: Mixed Effectiveness of Different Mechanisms

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 31: Contact to Nature Benefits Health: Mixed Effectiveness of Different Mechanisms

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010031

Authors: Mathias Hofmann Christopher Young Tina Binz Markus Baumgartner Nicole Bauer

How can urban nature contribute to the reduction of chronic stress? We twice measured the concentration of the “stress hormone” cortisol in the hair of 85 volunteer gardeners (six months apart), relating cortisol level change to (self-reported) characteristics of their recreational activities. Both time spent in nature and physical activity led to decreases in cortisol, while time spent being idle led to an increase. At high levels of present stressors, however, the relationship for time spent in nature and for idleness was reversed. Time spent with social interaction had no effect on cortisol levels. Our results indicate that physical activity is an effective means of mitigating the negative effects of chronic stress. The results regarding the time spent in nature and time spent being idle are less conclusive, suggesting the need for more research. We conclude that if chronic stress cannot be abolished by eradicating its sources, public health may take to measures to reduce it—providing urban nature being one effective possibility.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 28: Mortality Rate Associated with Admission Hyperglycemia in Traumatic Femoral Fracture Patients Is Greater Than Non-Diabetic Normoglycemic Patients but Not Diabetic Normoglycemic Patients

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 28: Mortality Rate Associated with Admission Hyperglycemia in Traumatic Femoral Fracture Patients Is Greater Than Non-Diabetic Normoglycemic Patients but Not Diabetic Normoglycemic Patients

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010028

Authors: Cheng-Shyuan Rau Shao-Chun Wu Yi-Chun Chen Peng-Chen Chien Hsiao-Yun Hsieh Pao-Jen Kuo Ching-Hua Hsieh

Background: Admission hyperglycemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. However, admission hyperglycemia is not only associated with stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH) but also with diabetic hyperglycemia (DH); furthermore, patients with normoglycemia may not only have non-diabetic normoglycemia (NDN) but also have a possibility of diabetic normoglycemia (DN), with the diabetes under control. This study aimed to assess the effects of SIH and DH on the mortality outcomes of traumatic femoral fracture patients with NDN and DN. Methods: Admission hyperglycemia was diagnosed as a serum glucose ≥200 mg/dL upon arrival at the emergency department. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was determined by patient history and/or admission HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. DH and SIH were diagnosed by admission hyperglycemia in patients with and without DM. DN and NDN were determined by absence of admission hyperglycemia in patients with and without DM. These patients were allocated into four groups: SIH (n = 75), DH (n = 280), DN (n = 309), and NDN (n = 1326), with detailed information retracted from the Trauma Registry System at a level I trauma center between 1 January 2009, and 31 December 2016. Patients with incomplete registered data were excluded. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality were estimated through a stepwise model selection of a multiple regression model that was adjusted by controlling the cofounding variables such age, sex, co-morbidities, and Injury Severity Score. Results: Compared to NDN, a 9.8-fold (95% CI 1.54–62.05; p = 0.016) and a 5.8-fold (95% CI 1.46–22.67; p = 0.012) increase in the adjusted mortality odds ratio of patients with SIH and DH, respectively, were found in this study. In addition, the adjusted odds of mortality between SIH (AOR = 0.3; 95% CI 0.03–2.99; p = 0.302) as well as DH patients (AOR = 0.6; 95% CI 0.20–1.89; p = 0.394) and DN patients had no significant difference. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that SIH and DH patients with traumatic femoral fractures had higher mortality when compared with NDN patients, but not when compared with DN patients, with or without adjustment of the differences in patient’s age, sex, co-morbidities, and injury severity.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 26: Diabetic Ketoacidosis Severity at Diagnosis and Glycaemic Control in the First Year of Childhood Onset Type 1 Diabetes—A Longitudinal Cohort Study

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 26: Diabetic Ketoacidosis Severity at Diagnosis and Glycaemic Control in the First Year of Childhood Onset Type 1 Diabetes—A Longitudinal Cohort Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010026

Authors: Amal Khanolkar Rakesh Amin David Taylor-Robinson Russell Viner Justin Warner Evelien Gevers Terence Stephenson

It is unclear whether diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) severity at diagnosis affects the natural history of type 1 diabetes (T1D). We analysed associations between DKA severity at diagnosis and glycaemic control during the first year post-diagnosis. We followed 341 children with T1D, &lt;19 years (64% non-white) attending paediatric diabetes clinics in East London. Data were extracted from routine medical registers. Subjects were categorized with normal, mild, moderate, or severe DKA. Linear mixed-effects modelling was used to assess differences in longitudinal HbA1c trajectories (glycaemic control) during 12 months post-diagnosis (1288 HbA1c data-points) based on DKA, adjusting for sex, age, ethnicity, SES (Socioeconomic Status) and treatment type. Females (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.4) and younger age, 0–6 vs. 13–18 years (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5–5.6) had increased risk for DKA at diagnosis. Moderate or severe DKA was associated with higher HbA1c at diagnosis (adjusted estimates 8 mmol/mol, 2–14, and 10 mmol/mol, 4–15, respectively, compared to normal DKA). Differences in HbA1c trajectories by DKA were no longer apparent at six months post-diagnosis. All subjects experienced a steep decrease in HbA1c during the first three months followed by a gradual increase. While, DKA severity was not associated with glycaemic control at 12 months post-diagnosis, age at diagnosis, ethnicity, gender, and treatment type were significantly associated. For example, Black and mixed ethnicity children had increased risk for poor glycaemic control compared to White children (adjusted RRR 5.4, 95% CI 1.7–17.3 and RRR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2–6.0, respectively). DKA severity at diagnosis is associated with higher initial HbA1c but not glycaemic control from six months post-diagnosis. Age at diagnosis, ethnicity, gender, and insulin pump are associated with glycaemic control at one year post-diagnosis.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 27: Association between Exposure to Ambient Air Particulates and Metabolic Syndrome Components in a Saudi Arabian Population

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 27: Association between Exposure to Ambient Air Particulates and Metabolic Syndrome Components in a Saudi Arabian Population

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010027

Authors: Magdy Shamy Mansour Alghamdi Mamdouh Khoder Abdullah Mohorjy Alser Alkhatim Abdulrahman Alkhalaf Jason Brocato Lung Chen George Thurston Chris Lim Max Costa

Recent epidemiological evidence suggests that exposure to particulates may be a factor in the etiology of metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this novel study, we investigated the relationship between particulate levels and prevalence of MetS component abnormalities (hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity) in a recruited cohort (N = 2025) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We observed significant associations between a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and increased risks for MetS (Risk Ratio (RR): 1.12; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.06–1.19), hyperglycemia (RR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03–1.14), and hypertension (RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.04–1.14). PM2.5 from soil/road dust was found to be associated with hyperglycemia (RR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.06–1.19) and hypertension (RR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.05–1.18), while PM2.5 from traffic was associated with hyperglycemia (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.05–1.71). We did not observe any health associations with source-specific mass exposures. Our findings suggest that exposure to specific elemental components of PM2.5, especially Ni, may contribute to the development of cardiometabolic disorders.

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