96 research outputs found
The effects of legacy sulphur deposition on methylmercury production in northern peatlands; geochemical and biological considerations
Mercury is a ubiquitous element with a complex geochemical cycle. Aquatic ecosystems such as wetland soils convert inorganic mercury to organic, neurotoxic methylmercury though the activity of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Sulphate stimulates the activity of SRB, and the production of methylmercury in these environments. My aim was to investigate the effect that legacy sulphate has on Hg methylation in northern peatlands through a laboratory sulphate addition experiment with differentially sulphate-exposed peats and a field study of peatlands subjected to different levels of sulphate. Results from the laboratory study indicate that peatlands in regions of higher atmospheric sulphate deposition show enhanced Hg methylation responses compared to pristine peatlands, while field results indicate that sulphate deposition increases Hg methylation dependence on other nutrients as opposed to sulphate supply. Management for peatlands impacted by industrial sulphate sources will have to consider legacy sulphate deposition within peatland geochemical context to mitigate potential Hg methylation
Phyto-Ruminal-Bioremediation: Grasses to the Rescue
The US EPA has defined Super Fund sites for 594 toxins in the United States. The EPA definition of toxins is one that causes acute or chronic human health effects, or causing significant environmental harm. One of the categories of toxins is nitroaromatic molecules, which are used primarily as munitions. In the United States alone there are 16,000 Department of Defense (DoD) sites. The most common munitions there are TNT, RDX, HMX, and 2,4 DNT. In the world, these sites range historically from World War II residues to those from recent Middle East conflicts. Human health effects from these toxins include damage to the renal, nervous system, reproductive system, dermal, and hepatocarcinoma.
In the animal world, a ruminant has four stomachs, one of which the rumen contains obligate ruminant anaerobes. These anaerobic microbes have the unique ability to break down the cellulose bond and other compounds from plant material. An additional fact is that grasses can extract nitroaromatic compounds from the soil and do it far better than dicotyledon plants. A number of people have looked at the uptake of toxins by grasses and other plant material. This paper will present the ability of cool season grasses to remove toxins from the soil and their subsequent degradation by ruminal microbes from sheep
Recommended from our members
Prevalence of Peyronie's Disease-Like Symptoms in Men Presenting With Dupuytren Contractures.
IntroductionPeyronie's disease (PD) and Dupuytren contractures (DC) are often comorbid and are believed to have a similar underlying pathophysiologic mechanism.AimTo investigate the prevalence of PD-like symptoms (PDLS) in men with DC.MethodsFrom October 2013 to December 2016, men who were seen and evaluated for DC were offered the opportunity to participate in an anonymous survey. The survey assessed several basic demographic and sexual health factors and included items from the International Index of Erectile Function and the Erection Hardness Scale. Men who reported PDLS were asked a series of questions derived from the Peyronie's Disease Questionnaire and for their opinions on theoretical treatment modalities for sexual problems and penile deformity.Main outcome measurePrevalence of PDLS in men with DC.ResultsOne hundred forty men with DC were invited to participate; 85 surveys were returned (response rate = 61%). Twenty-two respondents (26%, 95% confidence interval = 17-35) reported PDLS. Approximately one fourth of all respondents had an Erection Hardness Scale score lower than 3. The most common specific PDLS concerns were penile curvature (91%), length loss (55%), narrowing (36%), and hinging (32%). In men with PDLS, 73% felt at least a little bothered by the symptoms when attempting sexual activity and 40% reported having sex less frequently because of the symptoms. Just 27% of men with PDLS had ever used a treatment for a sexual concern. In terms of treatments for penile deformities, 64% of men with PDLS expressed an interest in treatment administered in the form of an in-office procedure; 41% were potentially amenable to a surgical procedure.ConclusionThe prevalence of PDLS in men with DC is similar to the prevalence of DC in men diagnosed with PD. A substantial number of these men have distress and would consider standard-of-care treatments for PD. Shindel AW, Sweet G, Thieu W, et al. Prevalence of Peyronie's Disease-Like Symptoms in Men Presenting With Dupuytren Contractures. Sex Med 2017;5:e135-e141
Survey Results of the New Health Care Worker Study: Implications of Changing Employment Patterns
This report examines the effects of contemporary employment arrangements on the quality of nursing work life, and the implications of these employment arrangements for individual nurses, the hospitals, and also for the organization. First we look at nurse work status (full-time, part-time or casual job), contract status (permanent or temporary), and employment preference as factors affecting commitment to the hospital and profession, job satisfaction, retention in the organization, and absenteeism from work. Second, we examine stress, burnout, and physical occupational health problems (in particular, musculoskeletal disorders), as affecting nurse and hospital outcomes. This project investigated how the quality of nursing worklife and career choices differ for nurses in full-time, part-time and casual employment, and whether nurses who have the employment arrangements they prefer enjoy a standard of worklife that encourages retention. We collected data for the study from 1,396 nurses employed at three large teaching hospitals in Southern Ontario (Hamilton Health Sciences, Kingston General Hospital, and St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto) using the New Health Care Worker Questionnaire. Results indicate that although a substantial majority of the nurses were employed in the type of job that they preferred, problems of stress, burnout and physical health problems were reported. Further, these problems affected the nurses' job satisfaction, commitment, and propensity to leave the hospitals.health care workers, employment status, nurses, job satisfaction, commitment, stress, burnout, physical health problems, MSD, propensity to leave
Survey Results of the New Health Care Worker Study: Implications of Changing Employment Patterns
This report examines the effects of contemporary employment arrangements on the quality of nursing work life, and the implications of these employment arrangements for individual nurses, the hospitals, and also for the organization. First we look at nurse work status (full-time, part-time or casual job), contract status (permanent or temporary), and employment preference as factors affecting commitment to the hospital and profession, job satisfaction, retention in the organization, and absenteeism from work. Second, we examine stress, burnout, and physical occupational health problems (in particular, musculoskeletal disorders), as affecting nurse and hospital outcomes. This project investigated how the quality of nursing worklife and career choices differ for nurses in full-time, part-time and casual employment, and whether nurses who have the employment arrangements they prefer enjoy a standard of worklife that encourages retention. We collected data for the study from 1,396 nurses employed at three large teaching hospitals in Southern Ontario (Hamilton Health Sciences, Kingston General Hospital, and St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto) using the New Health Care Worker Questionnaire. Results indicate that although a substantial majority of the nurses were employed in the type of job that they preferred, problems of stress, burnout and physical health problems were reported. Further, these problems affected the nurses' job satisfaction, commitment, and propensity to leave the hospitals.health care workers, employment status, nurses, job satisfaction, commitment, stress, burnout, physical health problems, MSD, propensity to leave
Associations between Work Intensification, Stress and Job Satisfaction : The Case of Nurses in Ontario
Health sector reform of the 1990s affected most health care workers in Ontario and in other provinces. As a result of organizational changes, many workers experienced work intensification. This paper examines the associations between work intensification, stress and job satisfaction focusing on nurses in three teaching hospitals in Ontario. Data come from our 2002 survey of 949 nurses who worked in their employing hospital since the early 1990s when the health sector reform era began. Results show that nurses feel their work has intensified since the health sector reform of the 1990s, and work intensification contributed to increased stress and decreased job satisfaction. Results provide empirical support to the literature which suggests that work intensification has an adverse effect on workers’ health and well-being, and work attitudes.Les changements organisationnels apportĂ©s dans les annĂ©es 80 et 90 ont contribuĂ© Ă l’intensification du travail dans les pays industrialisĂ©s (Green, 2004; Lapido et Wilkinson, 2002). Des recherches effectuĂ©es dans des pays europĂ©ens et sept pays membres de l’OCDE dĂ©montrent que la satisfaction au travail est stable ou en dĂ©clin (Clark, 2005) et que l’intensification du travail est l’un des facteurs contribuant au dĂ©clin de la satisfaction au travail (Green et Tsitsianis, 2005). Au Canada, aucune Ă©tude ne s’est intĂ©ressĂ©e au lien entre la satisfaction au travail et l’intensification du travail. Toutefois, deux rĂ©cents sondages indiquent qu’un travailleur canadien sur dix n’est pas satisfait au travail (Catlin, 2001; WES Compendium, 2001).Les changements organisationnels constituent communĂ©ment une source d’intensification du travail (Green, 2004). Les organisations du secteur de la santĂ© ont subit de nombreux changements organisationnels depuis le dĂ©but des annĂ©es 90 (CHSRF, 2000). Le personnel infirmier a Ă©tĂ© très affectĂ© par les rĂ©formes du secteur de la santĂ©. Plusieurs infirmières et infirmiers ont Ă©tĂ© mis Ă pied et le personnel restant a dĂ» mettre les bouchĂ©es doubles pour prendre en charge le surplus de travail occasionnĂ© par ces dĂ©parts involontaires (O’Brien-Pallas et al., 2004). Les rĂ©formes du secteur de la santĂ© reposant sur de petits budgets peuvent avoir de lourdes consĂ©quences pour le personnel : leur travail peut s’intensifier, devenir plus exigeant et stressant (Wetzel, 2005a), amenant une baisse de la satisfaction au travail.L’objectif de cette Ă©tude est d’examiner le lien entre l’intensification du travail, le stress et la satisfaction au travail. Notre Ă©tude contribue Ă l’avancement des connaissances en gestion des ressources humaines en examinant l’une des consĂ©quences de la rĂ©forme du secteur de la santĂ©, c’est-Ă -dire l’intensification du travail, sur la santĂ© et le bien-ĂŞtre du personnel infirmier et sur son attitude envers son emploi. Dans un contexte de pĂ©nurie de main-d’oeuvre dans le secteur de la santĂ© et d’un besoin grandissant de services infirmiers, notre Ă©tude porte prĂ©cisĂ©ment sur la satisfaction au travail des infirmières et infirmiers et est ainsi importante et d’actualitĂ©. Les donnĂ©es de cette Ă©tude ont Ă©tĂ© recueillies auprès de 949 infirmières et infirmiers dĂ©jĂ en emploi avant l’implantation de la rĂ©forme du secteur de la santĂ© travaillant dans trois hĂ´pitaux universitaires de l’Ontario. Toutes les infirmières et infirmiers de ces Ă©tablissements ont Ă©tĂ© sĂ©lectionnĂ©s pour l’étude. Au total, 1 396 d’entre eux ont participĂ© Ă l’étude, reprĂ©sentant un taux de rĂ©ponse de 52 %. Le New Health Care Worker Questionnaire (des auteurs) est l’outil ayant servi Ă amasser les donnĂ©es. La variable dĂ©pendante, la satisfaction au travail, a Ă©tĂ© mesurĂ©e Ă partir du Spector’s 1985 Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) (1997). Les deux sous-Ă©chelles sont la satisfaction liĂ©e aux avantages pĂ©cuniaires et la satisfaction liĂ©e Ă l’emploi et Ă l’environnement de travail. L’intensification du travail est la variable indĂ©pendante de notre Ă©tude. Il n’y pas d’outil mesurant l’intensification du travail faisant consensus (Burchell, 2002; Green, 2004). Nous avons utilisĂ© dans cette Ă©tude un outil mesurant la perception d’une intensification du travail que nous avons nous-mĂŞmes dĂ©veloppĂ©. Cet outil stipule l’énoncĂ© suivant : « Il y a eu plusieurs changements dans le système de santĂ© depuis le dĂ©but des annĂ©es 90. En comparant le temps prĂ©sent et le dĂ©but des annĂ©es 90, veuillez indiquer votre accord ou dĂ©saccord avec chacun des Ă©noncĂ©s ». Les Ă©noncĂ©s sont : « mon travail s’est intensifiĂ©; ma charge de travail a augmentĂ©; les infirmières et infirmiers doivent traiter plus de patients par quart de travail; je fais de plus en plus de travail pour lequel je ne reçois pas de rĂ©munĂ©ration; il y a moins de leaders parmi le personnel infirmier; et la complexitĂ© des cas Ă traiter a augmenté ». Les rĂ©ponses ont Ă©tĂ© recueillies Ă partir d’une Ă©chelle de type Likert Ă cinq niveaux allant de 1 : « je suis tout Ă fait en dĂ©saccord », Ă 5 : « je suis tout Ă fait en accord » et les rĂ©sultats ont Ă©tĂ© additionnĂ©s pour crĂ©er l’échelle mesurant l’intensification du travail. Nous avons effectuĂ© une analyse factorielle utilisant la mĂ©thode d’extraction de l’analyse de la composante principale (Principal Component Analysis). Une composante principale fut extraite. L’échelle de mesure de l’intensification du travail dĂ©montre une forte fiabilitĂ© de l’outil grâce Ă un alpha de Cronbach de 0,80 (voir le tableau 1 de l’article). Pour ce qui est de la cohĂ©rence externe de l’outil de mesure, notre Ă©chantillon est comparable Ă celui d’autres Ă©tudes qui ont trouvĂ© une intensification plus grande du travail dans le secteur de la santĂ© et des services sociaux (Boisard et al., 2003b), pour les femmes (Burchell et Fagan, 2002) et pour les travailleurs du secteur public (Green, 2004). Le Symptoms of Stress Scale (Denton et al., 2002b) est la variable modĂ©ratrice dans cette Ă©tude.Les rĂ©sultats dĂ©montrent que le personnel infirmier est dans une certaine mesure satisfait des avantages pĂ©cuniaires (M = 33,7; S.D. = 6,5) et modĂ©rĂ©ment satisfait de son emploi et de son environnement de travail (M = 76,6; S.D. = 11,1). Il existe une perception gĂ©nĂ©ralisĂ©e que le travail s’est intensifiĂ© durant la dernière dĂ©cennie (M = 24,2; S.D. = 3,9) et le personnel infirmier se sent stressĂ© (M = 32,5; S.D. = 7,9). En contrĂ´lant la satisfaction Ă l’égard des avantages pĂ©cuniaires, l’intensification du travail et le stress sont significativement et nĂ©gativement corrĂ©lĂ©s (–0,343; p ≥ .01 et –0,502; p ≥ .01, respectivement). Le modèle global (voir le tableau 3, colonne 4 de l’article) dĂ©montre que le stress est significativement et nĂ©gativement associĂ© Ă la satisfaction liĂ©e aux avantages pĂ©cuniaires et que le stress a un effet modĂ©rateur partiel sur l’intensification du travail. Le modèle de la satisfaction liĂ©e aux avantages pĂ©cuniaires est sain, expliquant 29 % de la variance. Tel que prĂ©sentĂ©, dans le modèle global (tableau 4, colonne 4 de l’article), le stress a un effet modĂ©rateur sur l’intensification du travail en relation avec la satisfaction liĂ©e Ă l’emploi et Ă l’environnement de travail. Il est intĂ©ressant de noter que notre modèle de la satisfaction liĂ©e Ă l’emploi et Ă l’environnement de travail explique Ă lui seul près de 68 % de la variance totale.Notre Ă©tude confirme les prĂ©dictions de Wetzel (2005a) quant au personnel infirmier et dĂ©montre que la perception de l’intensification du travail est un facteur significatif contribuant Ă augmenter le niveau de stress chez les infirmières et infirmiers. Ce stress, en retour, affecte nĂ©gativement leur satisfaction au travail. ConsidĂ©rant que l’attraction et la rĂ©tention du personnel travaillant dans le secteur de la santĂ© est le dĂ©fi le plus important posĂ© aux gestionnaires du système de santĂ© canadien, nos rĂ©sultats sont importants. Ils expliquent pourquoi le personnel infirmier se sent stressĂ© et comment ce stress contribue Ă diminuer leur satisfaction au travail. Nous recommandons fortement aux dĂ©cideurs de tous les niveaux, et en particulier Ă ceux qui Ă©laborent les politiques, de porter une attention particulière aux effets Ă long terme occasionnĂ©s par les dĂ©cisions stratĂ©giques qu’ils prennent concernant leurs personnels.La reforma del sector de salud de los años 1990 afectĂł la mayorĂa de los trabajadores de la salud en Ontario y otras provincias. Como resultado de los cambios organizacionales, muchos trabajadores experimentaron intensificaciĂłn del trabajo. Este documento examina las asociaciones entre intensificaciĂłn del trabajo, estrĂ©s y satisfacciĂłn del trabajo focalizando la situaciĂłn de las enfermeras en tres hospitales de enseñanza en Ontario. Los datos provienen de nuestra encuesta administrada en 2002 a 949 enfermeras que trabajaban en esos hospitales desde los comienzos de los años 90 cuando la reforma del sector salud comenzaba. Los resultados muestran que las enfermeras sienten que su trabajo se ha intensificado con la reforma del sector de los años 1990 y que la intensificaciĂłn del trabajo contribuye a incrementar el estrĂ©s y disminuir la satisfacciĂłn del trabajo. Los resultados proveen soporte empĂrico a la literatura que sugiere que la intensificaciĂłn del trabajo tiene un efecto adverso en la salud y el bienestar de los trabajadores y en las actitudes en el trabajo
Effect of Music Interventions on Sedation in Children Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Clinical Trial
Background: Although parenteral sedation is often required in MRI studies in children, it is stressful and increases the cost of healthcare.
Objectives: We evaluated the impact of music interventions in children receiving parenteral sedation for MRI studies on total number of doses of sedation medications, sedation time, levels of cortisol and cytokines, sedation success, adverse events, parental satisfaction, and cost savings.
Methods: We conducted a prospective open unblinded four-arm clinical evaluation of interventions on 471 children 1-12 years of age undergoing MRI and receiving parenteral sedation. Children were assigned to active music therapy (AMT), facilitated music listening (FML), and as comparison another intervention (child life intervention or CLI), or no intervention (NI); measures included number of doses of sedation medications, time of sedation, sedation success, adverse events, parental satisfaction, and salivary levels of the stress hormone cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines, before and after intervention.
Results: The total number of sedation doses, total sedation time, and levels of salivary cortisol and cytokines did not differ between the four groups. One FMLA choice, Wee Sing Animal Songs, resulted in significant decrease in total sedation time and reduction of associated costs.
Conclusions: The use of one type of FML led to decreased total sedation time in children. This is an important finding since FML is an inexpensive non-invasive intervention which could be of significant time and cost saving benefits
What Else Is In The Pill? Systematic Review Of Injection Consequences From Inactive Ingredients
Clinical consequences of injecting solid pharmaceutical excipients (talc, starch) include serious vascular and pulmonary damage. Yet other harms have not been systematically cataloged. We conducted a comprehensive literature search in December 2019 across four bibliographic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Sociological Abstracts. Search terms were developed that focused on three elements: brand & generic drugs in four classes (barbiturates, benzodiazepines, stimulants and opioids), inactive ingredients, and injection
Recommended from our members
Parks Canada’s adaptation framework and workshop approach: Lessons learned across a diverse series of adaptation workshops
In 2017, the Canadian Parks Council Climate Change Working Group, a team of federal, provincial, and territorial representatives, developed a Climate Change Adaptation Framework for Parks and Protected Areas, guiding practitioners through a simple, effective five-step adaptation process. This framework was adapted by Parks Canada into a two-day adaptation workshop approach, with 11 workshops subsequently held from September 2017 to May 2019 at Parks Canada sites in the Yukon, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Newfoundland, and Ontario. Lessons learned from each workshop have been integrated into the approach, with the development of tools and guidance for each phase of the process, and a shareable, visual “placemat” that describes each step of the framework, acting as a map for those navigating the process
Review of Exploration Systems Development (ESD) Integrated Hazard Development Process
The Chief Engineer of the Exploration Systems Development (ESD) Office requested that the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) perform an independent assessment of the ESD's integrated hazard development process. The focus of the assessment was to review the integrated hazard analysis (IHA) process and identify any gaps/improvements in the process (e.g. missed causes, cause tree completeness, missed hazards). This document contains the outcome of the NESC assessment
- …