Occupational Health and Safety Prevention Plan in Water Treatment Plant

The research was carried out at the "El Guarumo" drinking water plant located in Santa Ana, province of Manabí, Ecuador. The objective of the investigation was the proposal of a plan of prevention of occupational risks that allows the management of the labor risks in said plant. The main tools used were: survey, interview, checklist, LEST questionnaire for the diagnosis of the current situation in terms of working conditions, the risk identification matrix and the binary method of risk assessment. The main results obtained were the identification of the risks in their different categories, observing that the critical risk factors are related to the physical overexertion, the uncomfortable postures and the manual lifting of the load. Among the important risks are falling objects, skin contact with toxic substances and mental overwork, closely related to work pressures and job security? It was possible to carry out the proposal of preventive and corrective measures in order to properly manage the risks and contribute to the safety and health of the workers

Anatomical and molecular properties of long descending propriospinal neurons in mice

Long descending propriospinal neurons (LDPNs) are interneurons that form direct connections between cervical and lumbar spinal circuits. LDPNs are involved in interlimb coordination and are important mediators of functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Much of what we know about LDPNs comes from a range of species, however, the increased use of transgenic mouse lines to better define neuronal populations calls for a more complete characterisation of LDPNs in mice. In this study, we examined the cell body location, inhibitory neurotransmitter phenotype, developmental provenance, morphology and synaptic inputs of mouse LDPNs throughout the cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord. LDPNs were retrogradely labelled from the lumbar spinal cord to map cell body locations throughout the cervical and upper thoracic segments. Ipsilateral LDPNs were distributed throughout the dorsal, intermediate and ventral grey matter as well as the lateral spinal nucleus and lateral cervical nucleus. In contrast, contralateral LDPNs were more densely concentrated in the ventromedial grey matter. Retrograde labelling in GlyT2GFP and GAD67GFP mice showed the majority of inhibitory LDPNs project either ipsilaterally or adjacent to the midline. Additionally, we used several transgenic mouse lines to define the developmental provenance of LDPNs and found that V2b positive neurons form a subset of ipsilaterally projecting LDPNs. Finally, a population of Neurobiotin (NB) labelled LDPNs were assessed in detail to examine morphology and plot the spatial distribution of contacts from a variety of neurochemically distinct axon terminals. These results provide important baseline data in mice for future work on their role in locomotion and recovery from SCI

Perturbations in the relaxation mechanism for a large cosmological constant

Recently, a mechanism for relaxing a large cosmological constant (CC) has been proposed [arxiv:0902.2215], which permits solutions with low Hubble rates at late times without fine-tuning. The setup is implemented in the LXCDM framework, and we found a reasonable cosmological background evolution similar to the LCDM model with a fine-tuned CC. In this work we analyse analytically the perturbations in this relaxation model, and we show that their evolution is also similar to the LCDM model, especially in the matter era. Some tracking properties of the vacuum energy are discussed, too.Comment: 18 pages, LaTeX; discussion improved, accepted by CQ

Racial disparity and survival outcomes between African-American and Caucasian American men with penile cancer

Objective: To determine whether there is a survival difference for African-American men (AAM) versus Caucasian American men (CM) with penile squamous cell carcinoma (pSCC), particularly in locally advanced and metastatic cases where disease mortality is highest. Patients and Methods: Using the Florida Cancer Data System, we identified men with pSCC from 2005 to 2013. We compared age, follow-up, stage, race, and treatment type between AAM and CM. We performed Kaplan\u2013Meier analysis for overall survival (OS) between AAM and CM for all stages, and for those with locally advanced and metastatic disease. A multivariable model was developed to determine significant predictors of OS. Results: In all, 653 men (94 AAM and 559 CM) had pSCC and 198 (30%) had locally advanced and/or metastatic disease. A higher proportion of AAM had locally advanced and/or metastatic disease compared to CM (38 [40%] vs 160 [29%], P = 0.03). The median (interquartile range) follow-up for the entire cohort was 12.6 (5.4\u201332.0) months. For all stages, AAM had a significantly lower median OS compared to CM (26 vs 36\ua0months, P = 0.03). For locally advanced and metastatic disease, there was a consistent trend toward disparity in median OS between AAM and CM (17 vs 22\ua0months, P = 0.06). After adjusting for age, stage, grade, and treatment type, AAM with pSCC had a greater likelihood of death compared to CM (hazard ratio 1.64, P = 0.014). Conclusions: AAM have worse OS compared to CM with pSCC and this may partly be due to advanced stage at presentation. Treatment disparity may also contribute to lessened survival in AAM, but we were unable to demonstrate a significant difference in treatment utilisation between the groups

Managerial Work in a Practice-Embodying Institution - The role of calling, the virtue of constancy

What can be learned from a small scale study of managerial work in a highly marginal and under-researched working community? This paper uses the ‘goods-virtues-practices-institutions’ framework to examine the managerial work of owner-directors of traditional circuses. Inspired by MacIntyre’s arguments for the necessity of a narrative understanding of the virtues, interviews explored how British and Irish circus directors accounted for their working lives. A purposive sample was used to select subjects who had owned and managed traditional touring circuses for at least 15 years, a period in which the economic and reputational fortunes of traditional circuses have suffered badly. This sample enabled the research to examine the self-understanding of people who had, at least on the face of it, exhibited the virtue of constancy. The research contributes to our understanding of the role of the virtues in organizations by presenting evidence of an intimate relationship between the virtue of constancy and a ‘calling’ work orientation. This enhances our understanding of the virtues that are required if management is exercised as a domain-related practice

Comparison of fiber effect on glycemic index and glycemic load in differents types of bread

Indexación: Scopus; Redalyc.Existen diversos alimentos que contienen como nutriente principal hidratos de carbono, destacando entre ellos el pan por su masivo consumo a nivel mundial. Numerosos estudios se han llevado a cabo con el fin de reducir su índice glicémico, sin embargo, aún existe controversia sobre la acción de la fibra dietética en la disminución del IG en este alimento. Este estudio determinó el efecto de la fibra dietética sobre el índice glicémico y carga glicémica en dos tipos de panes comerciales en 23 individuos sanos quienes consumieron aleatoriamente 3 diferentes productos, de 50 g de carbohidratos cada uno, durante 6 días: pan blanco (PH), pan integral (PF), y solución glucosada como producto de referencia (SG). Se midió glicemia en ayunas y post-prandial a los tiempos 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 y 120 min. La insulina fue medida en el minuto 0 y 120 min. El área bajo la curva de glicemia resultó más baja para ambos tipos de pan PH 13589 ±1557, PF 12005 ±1254 que para el producto de referencia SG 14089 ±1245. Los valores del índice glicémico PH 68,55 ±1,2 y PF 62,10 ±1,3 y carga glicémica PH 16,45 ±1,4 resultaron más bajos para el pan con mayor aporte de fibra 9,93 ± 1,1, sin diferencias en la concentración de insulina, sugiriendo que la cantidad de carbohidratos y tipo de fibra contenidos en el pan integral, pueden considerarse factores intrínsecos en su composición nutricional, capaces de afectar la respuesta glicémica post- ingesta de estos productos en individuos sanos.There are several foods that contain carbohydrates as the main nutrient, being one of the most important the bread for its massive worldwide consumption. Numerous studies have been done in order to reduce its glycemic index, however there is still controversy about the action of dietary fiber in the decrease of GI in this product. In this study, it was determined the effect of dietetic fiber on glycemic index and glycemic load in two types of commercial breads in 23 healthy individuals who randomly consumed 3 different products during 6 days of 50g of carbohydrates each: white bread (PH), whole wheat bread (PE) and glucose solution as reference product (SG). Fasting and postprandial glycemia was measured at times 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. Insuline was measured at 0 min and 120 min. The area under de glycemia curve was lower for both bread types PH 13589 ±1557, PF 12005 ±1254 than for the reference product SG 14089 ±1245. The values of the glycemic index PH 68,55 ±1,2 and PF 62,01 ±1,3 and glycemic load PH 16.45 ±1,4 were lower for bread with more amount fiber 9,93 ± 1,1, with no difference in insulin concentration, suggesting that the amount of carbohydrates and fiber type contained in whole wheat bread can be considered intrinsic factors in bread composition, affecting the post-intake glycemic response of this type of products in healthy individuals.http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=5594990800

Body Composition and Anthropometric Changes During a 10-week Training Academy in Police Recruits

Obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors are often present in law enforcement personnel, which may compromise physical readiness and long-term health. As such, physical fitness interventions are warranted for promoting officers\u27 performance and wellbeing. PURPOSE: To determine the body composition and anthropometric changes experienced by police recruits undergoing a departmental training academy. METHODS: Twenty-one police recruits (20 M, 1 F; age: 25.1 ± 5.0 y; BMI: 27.8 ± 4.3 kg/m2) were tested before and after a 10-week training academy in Lubbock, Texas. Supervised physical training was conducted 5 times per week and consisted of ~1–1.5 hours of high-intensity, multi-modal (i.e., running, weightlifting, calisthenics), functional training following linear periodization. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA; GE Lunar iDXA) and 3-dimensional optical imaging (3DO; Size Stream SS20) were performed to assess body composition and anthropometry. Paired-samples t-tests were performed to compare values before and after the training academy, and Cohen’s d effect sizes were generated. After Bonferroni correction, statistical significance was accepted at p\u3c0.003. Changes are presented as mean ± SD. RESULTS: From DXA, statistically significant decreases in total fat mass (FM; -3.3 ± 3.1 kg, p\u3c0.001, d=1.1), trunk FM (-2.1 ± 2.2 kg, p\u3c0.001, d=1.0), arms FM (-0.3 ± 0.3 kg, p=0.001, d=1.1), legs FM (-0.9 ± 0.9 kg, p\u3c0.001, d=1.1), and body fat percentage (-3.1 ± 2.5%, p\u3c0.001, d=1.2) were observed. Increases in total lean soft tissue (LST; 1.3 ± 1.3 kg, p=0.002, d=1.0) and trunk LST (0.8 ± 0.9 kg, p\u3c0.001, d=0.9) were also noted, with trends for increases in leg LST (0.2 ± 0.7 kg, p=0.096, d=0.4) and arm LST (0.2 ± 0.4, p=0.04, d=0.5). Decreases in 3DO abdomen circumference (-3.5 ± 3.8 cm, p\u3c0.001, d=0.9) and hip circumference (-2.2 ± 2.2 cm, p\u3c0.001, d=1.0) were noted, with trends for decreases in the circumferences of the waist (-2.4 ± 3.6 cm, p=0.007, d=0.7) and upper arm (-0.9 ± 1.5 cm, p=0.02, d=0.6). No significant changes in thigh circumference (-0.7 ± 1.9 cm, p=0.12, d=0.4) or calf circumference (-0.2 ± 1.5 cm, p=0.52, d=0.1) were noted. A trend for a decrease in body mass (-2.0 ± 3.1 kg, p=0.007, d=0.7) was also observed. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that police academy training significantly improves recruits\u27 body composition, both reducing FM and increasing LST, which has the potential to positively affect operational performance. Future studies should track these changes over time to help develop ongoing health and fitness strategies for career police officers, ultimately improving their long-term wellbeing and job readiness

Effect of oat β-glucan on glycemic index and glycemic load of a nutritional supplement sweetened with sucralose in healthy adults: A randomized clinical trial

Indexación: Scopus; RedalycLas propiedades hipoglicemiantes del β-glucano de avena son de interés para la industria alimentaria y el área clínica, por sus potenciales beneficios sobre la salud al disminuir la respuesta glicémica, el nivel sérico de lipoproteínas de baja densidad y el índice glicémico de los alimentos. Existen suplementos nutricionales específicos para diabéticos edulcorados con sucralosa cuyo índice glicémico y carga glicémica aún no han sido establecidos. El efecto del β-glucano de avena sobre el índice glicémico y carga glicémica de un suplemento nutricional edulcorado con sucralosa, fue determinado en 13 adultos sanos (6 hombres y 7 mujeres), quienes consumieron aleatoriamente 4 alimentos en días distintos, de 50 g de carbohidratos cada uno: suplemento nutricional para diabéticos (FN), suplemento nutricional con β-glucano (FN- β), y como productos de referencia: solución glucosada (SG) y pan blanco (PB). Se midió glicemia en ayunas y post- prandial a los tiempos 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 y 120 min. El área bajo la curva de glicemia resultó más baja para ambas fórmulas (FN) 12697±993, (FN-β) 11584 ±1171, que para los productos de referencia:(SG) 13900±1245, y (PB) 13267 ± 1557. Los valores de índice glicémico (FN) 67,02 ± 5,69, así como la carga glicémica resultaron intermedios y más bajos para el suplemento con β-glucano incorporado (FN –β) 59,8 ± 6,2; sin diferencias en la concentración de insulina, sugiriendo que la adición del β-glucano derivado de la avena reduce la velocidad de absorción intestinal de la glucosa, efecto que podría estudiarse en diabéticos.The hypoglycemic properties of oat β-glucan is of interest for the food industry and clinical area, for potencial health benefits by reducing glycemic response, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glycemic index of meals. There are specific nutritional supplements for diabetics sweetened with sucralose whose glycemic index and glycemic load has not been established. Effect of oat β-glucan on glycemic index and glycemic load of a nutritional supplement sweetened with sucralose in healthy adults was determined in 13 healthy subjects (6 men and 7 women) old that consumed randomly 4 meals of 50 g of carbohydrates each in different days: a nutritional supplement for diabetics (FN), the nutritional supplement with β-glucan incorporated (FN-β) and two reference food, glucose solution (SG) and white bread (PB). Fasting and postprandial glycemia was measured at times 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min. The area under the glycemia curve was lower for both formulas (FN) 12697±993, (FN-β) 11584 ±1171 than for reference products (SG) 13900±1245, y (PB) 13267 ± 1557. The values of glycemic index (GI) (FN) 67, 02 ± 5,69 and glycemic load were intermediate and more lower for the supplement with β-glucan incorporated (FN –β) 59, 8 ± 6,2, with no difference of insulin concentration . Suggesting that the addition of oat-derived β-glucan reduces the rate of intestinal absorption of glucose. This effect should be studied in diabetic.http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=5594990800