Sickness presenteeism: measurement and management challenges

Since work can be restorative to health, attending work when unwell should not be viewed as an inherently negative phenomenon. However, the functional benefits are likely to depend on the health condition, and the psychosocial quality of the work provided. The current study used a workforce survey to explore differences in the pattern of presenteeism and absenteeism by health condition, the association of psychosocial work factors with presenteeism compared to absenteeism, and their interaction to predict health. Findings indicate that instead of substituting absenteeism for presenteeism, the two tend to coincide, but the balance differs by health condition. Presenteeism is more likely to occur in poorer psychosocial environments, reinforcing the importance of ensuring work is designed and managed in ways that are beneficial rather than detrimental to health. The findings also highlight the methodological importance of differentiating between the act and impact of presenteeism in future research and practice

Modelling for potentiometric surface management of multilayer aquifer systems

Assuring the long-term availability of groundwater of adequate quality and quantity frequently requires the implementation of appropriate ground-water and conjunctive water management strategies. Presented is a model for developing optimal strategies for an multilayer aquifer in which stream-aquifer interflow is affected by the potentiometric surface and ground-water use. The model is applied to the Salt Lake Valley. Discussed is the use of pumping to control: l) potential migration of non-point source agricultural contaminants between aquifer layers and 2) the movement of a mile-long plume caused by mining waste

An inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor region

The inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor region, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 2005 and 2007, describes and maps the natural resources of the region. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the area\u27s natural resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The Nullarbor region has unique, extensive, gently undulating stony plains of limestone karst that form the Bunda Plateau. As well as vast treeless plains through the region\u27s centre, the Bunda Plateau is Australia’s largest karst and the world’s largest arid karst region (~250 000km²). An area of about 118 358km² was covered in the Nullarbor survey. The northern survey limits are defined by pastoral lease boundaries. The southern limits of the survey area are bounded by the Southern Ocean. The western limits of the survey area are defined by the western-most Nullarbor pastoral lease boundaries. The eastern limit of the survey is defined by the Western Australian–South Australian border. Pastoralism is the most extensive land use. Twenty pastoral leases fall wholly within the survey area and collectively occupy about 57 673km² (49% of the area). Eighteen soil groups are identified within the survey area. The most common soil group is calcareous shallow loams, occurring on all but coastal and sub-coastal land systems. In comparison with other biogeographic regions in the State, the flora of the Nullarbor area is not particularly diverse, with 426 vascular species recorded during the survey

The frequency and properties of young tidal dwarf galaxies in nearby gas-rich groups

We present high-resolution Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) HI observations and deep Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) optical imaging of two galaxy groups: NGC 4725/47 and NGC 3166/9. These data are part of a multi-wavelength unbiased survey of the gas-rich dwarf galaxy populations in three nearby interacting galaxy groups. The NGC 4725/47 group hosts two tidal knots and one dIrr. Both tidal knots are located within a prominent HI tidal tail, appear to have sufficient mass (M_gas~10^8 M_sol) to evolve into long-lived tidal dwarf galaxies (TDGs) and are fairly young in age. The NGC 3166/9 group contains a TDG candidate, AGC 208457, at least three dIrrs and four HI knots. Deep CFHT imaging confirms that the optical component of AGC 208457 is bluer -- with a 0.28 mag g-r colour -- and a few Gyr younger than its purported parent galaxies. Combining the results for these groups with those from the NGC 871/6/7 group reported earlier, we find that the HI properties, estimated stellar ages and baryonic content of the gas-rich dwarfs clearly distinguish tidal features from their classical counterparts. We optimistically identify four potentially long-lived tidal objects associated to three separate pairs of interacting galaxies, implying that TDGs are not readily produced during interaction events as suggested by some recent simulations. The tidal objects examined in this survey also appear to have a wider variety of properties than TDGs of similar mass formed in current simulations of interacting galaxies, which could be the result of pre- or post-formation environmental influences.Comment: 18 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Rationale, design and methods of the Study of Work and Pain (SWAP): a cluster randomised controlled trial testing the addition of a vocational advice service to best current primary care for patients with musculoskeletal pain (ISRCTN 52269669)

Background Musculoskeletal pain is a major contributor to short and long term work absence. Patients seek care from their general practitioner (GP) and yet GPs often feel ill-equipped to deal with work issues. Providing a vocational case management service in primary care, to support patients with musculoskeletal problems to remain at or return to work, is one potential solution but requires robust evaluation to test clinical and cost-effectiveness. Methods/Design This protocol describes a cluster randomised controlled trial, with linked qualitative interviews, to investigate the effect of introducing a vocational advice service into general practice, to provide a structured approach to managing work related issues in primary care patients with musculoskeletal pain who are absent from work or struggling to remain in work. General practices (n = 6) will be randomised to offer best current care or best current care plus a vocational advice service. Adults of working age who are absent from or struggling to remain in work due to a musculoskeletal pain problem will be invited to participate and 330 participants will be recruited. Data collection will be through patient completed questionnaires at baseline, 4 and 12 months. The primary outcome is self-reported work absence at 4 months. Incremental cost-utility analysis will be undertaken to calculate the cost per additional QALY gained and incremental net benefits. A linked interview study will explore the experiences of the vocational advice service from the perspectives of GPs, nurse practitioners (NPs), patients and vocational advisors. Discussion This paper presents the rationale, design, and methods of the Study of Work And Pain (SWAP) trial. The results of this trial will provide evidence to inform primary care practice and guide the development of services to provide support for musculoskeletal pain patients with work-related issues. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN52269669

OCS Title and Current MMS Regulatory Matters

In this paper, we attempt to set-forth our current thoughts on certain unique aspects of title to oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf ( OCS ) and attempt to encapsulate and comment upon certain of the current federal regulations applicable to leasing for the exploration and production of oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico ( GOM )