Injuries Among Miners in Kentucky During 2010-2012 From Workers Compensation Data

Introduction: Coal miners in Kentucky have higher rates of injury morbidity and mortality than national rates. In order to understand better what is happening in this area, we not only analyzed the injuries and deaths, but also identified common characteristics between these nonfatal and fatal injuries. The objectives of this study were to 1) Identify injuries among coal miners in Kentucky; 2) Determine if there are any other risk factors for injuries other than working in a mine; and 3) Determine the different health effects on coal mine workers. Methods: Data from Kentucky Workers’ Compensation First Reports of Injuries and Workers’ Compensation Claims for the years 2010-2012 were analyzed using statistical and text narrative analysis techniques. Results: Between 2010 and 2012, there were 2,814 workers’ compensation claims of injuries from coal miners, including 19 deaths to coal mine workers. The study showed that as a state, Kentucky has more injuries than the national average. Also, this study showed that machinery, place, and equipment were the most common categories responsible for the events that caused the injury. Within these categories, scoop and bolter machines were responsible for the most injuries within their category (machinery) with an incidence rate of 4.87% and 4.01%, respectively. In Place, the element responsible for the majority of the injuries was rock, with an incidence of rate13.48%, followed by ground/ice/mud 3 (ground conditions) with an incidence of 3.09%. Cable (handling) was the most common element in the Equipment category followed by pinner with an incidence of 4.30% and 0.96%, respectively. Also, truck was the vehicle that was involved in the most injuries at 3.27%. Lifting--at1.95%--was the most common action involved in the injuries. Conclusion: Strain, contusion, and amputation were identified as the most common type of injury that coal miners had in Kentucky. The results of the analyses of the variable “accident description” showed that rock was the most common element involved in the injuries/accidents. The results of this research narrowed the scope of injuries and fatalities, identifying the need for additional research related to Place (or physical work environment), Equipment, and Machinery and their respective elements within each category. Also, a more precise narrative of the accident should be required in Workers’ Compensation claim reports

The Impact of Prior Communication About Organizational Turbulence On Members’ Perceptions During Institutional Change

In this qualitative study, the researcher explored the perceptions of select faculty who were experiencing their university’s sale of their college to another academic entity, and to whom accurate levels organizational turbulence might not have been fully communicated prior to significant institutional change. Communicating levels of organizational turbulence is an important factor, and it is a necessary first step in transformational change. Members’ prior perceptions of organizational turbulence could affect their willingness to accept and progress through a substantive change plan. In this study, the researcher used turbulence theory as a conceptual framework to explore the level of foreknowledge of select faculty stakeholders at a college whose university was in the process of a significant change plan. The researcher used semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with 10 faculty stakeholders who were employed by the college. The study’s results indicated that 1) faculty stakeholders were largely unaware of the high level of turbulence the university was experiencing prior to the announcement of what was ultimately a sizable change plan; 2) emotional change responses of faculty participants ranged from disappointment, sadness, and hurt, to anger and rage; and 3) the participants viewed university administrators as lacking transparency during the change. These results significantly aligned with literature on change and emotional change responses

Soziale Landwirtschaft als Integrationsmöglichkeit von Naturschutzmaßnahmen – Der Therapiehof „Helle Platte“ als Praxisbeispiel

Sozialen Landwirtschaften – wie beispielsweise Therapiebetrieben für Suchtkranke – bietet sich die Möglichkeit, im Rahmen einer Arbeits- und Beschäftigungstherapie in der Landwirtschaft Aufgaben im Naturschutz und der Landschaftspflege zu übernehmen: Sowohl für den eigenen Betrieb, aber darüber hinaus auch als Dienstleistung für Kommunen, Privatpersonen oder auch interessierte produktionsorientierte Landwirtschaftsbetriebe. Zwei Kostenrechnungen ausgewählter Dienstleistungen im Naturschutzbereich zeigen, dass eine Arbeit im Bereich Naturschutz auch finanziell für einen landwirtschaftlichen Therapiebetrieb interessant sein kann. Damit kann sich eine „win-win-Situation“ ergeben, indem die Arbeit im Naturschutzbereich zur „Heilung von Menschen“ durch sinnvolle Arbeit in der Natur beiträgt – und gleichzeitig diese pflegende Arbeit „heilend“ in der Natur wirkt

Super-resolution imaging approaches for quantifying F-actin in immune cells

Immune cells comprise a diverse set of cells that undergo a complex array of biological processes that must be tightly regulated. A key component of cellular machinery that achieves this is the cytoskeleton. Therefore, imaging and quantitatively describing the architecture and dynamics of the cytoskeleton is an important research goal. Optical microscopy is well suited to this task. Here, we review the latest in the state-of-the-art methodology for labeling the cytoskeleton, fluorescence microscopy hardware suitable for such imaging and quantitative statistical analysis software applicable to describing cytoskeletal structures. We also highlight ongoing challenges and areas for future development

Social vs. practical problems in attaining a colonoscopy: Different patient profiles?

Background: Colonoscopy is an effective procedure for identifying precancerous polyps and cancerous lesions, but it is unlike other cancer screening tools in that it requires sedation and thus assistance from at least one other individual. The intent of this paper was to identify logistical problems in completing the colonoscopy and to examine their relationships with sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: All eligible patients (n = 2500) from two academic-affiliated colonoscopy centers (one free standing, one hospital-based) were invited to participate in an onsite, pre-colonoscopy survey; patients agreeing to participate (n = 1841, RR = 73.6%) received a $5.00 gift card. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was used to identify the underlying dimensional structure of the problems. Bivariate statistics were performed to compare demographic variables and health literacy levels among patients reporting problems. Multivariate logistic regression with a backwards conditional solution was used to determine the demographic variables independently associated with problems. Results: Multiple correspondence analyses indicated two dimensions of problems (social and practical). Using logistic regression, social problems (e.g., finding someone to accompany the patient) were associated with not living in the same home as the driver, not working due to disability, and younger age. Practical problems (e.g., making an appointment) were associated with “other” minority race, poorer health, lower health literacy, and younger age. Conclusion: Patients experience different problems completing the colonoscopy based on socio-demographics. Particularly at risk are patients who find it difficult to navigate the system, are of younger age, or who may have smaller social networks

DESENT: Smart Decision Support System for Urban Energy and Transportation

The focus of this paper is on the DESENT project, which aims to develop, test and disseminate a comprehensive decision support system for smart energy and transport in cities. Transport energy consumption modelling, building supply and energy demand tools are combined to provide a common decision support system for appraisal of city-wide energy use. The system will be set up as planning toolbox that consists of several models and tools providing different functionalities to show actual data for energy demand and transport energy demand and furthermore allow to predict the energy demand on building and city level for future planning scenarios. Thus, the relationships between sustainability objectives, transport, spatial design of the built environment and rational use of energy are considered. The paper describes the concept and structure of the planning toolbox and its models and tools developed so far. Furthermore, it outlines methodologies developed and the data acquisition process for the city of Weiz, which serves as one of the pilot cities in the project. Keywords: energy demand prediction, smart city development, transport energy demand, uncertain supply, optimal energy distribution The focus of this paper is on the DESENT project, which aims to develop, test and disseminate a comprehensive decision support system for smart energy and transport in cities. Transport energy consumption modelling, building supply and energy demand tools are combined to provide a common decision support system for appraisal of city-wide energy use. The system will be set up as planning toolbox that consists of several models and tools providing different functionalities to show actual data for energy demand and transport energy demand and furthermore allow to predict the energy demand on building and city level for future planning scenarios. Thus, the relationships between sustainability objectives, transport, spatial design of the built environment and rational use of energy are considered. The paper describes the concept and structure of the planning toolbox and its models and tools developed so far. Furthermore, it outlines methodologies developed and the data acquisition process for the city of Weiz, which serves as one of the pilot cities in the project

Effects of Attentional Strategies on Novice Dart Throwing, Quiet Eye Duration and Pupillary Responses

This study examined the effects of focus ofattention (FOA) instructions on learning a dart throwing task,quiet eye duration (QED) and pupillary responses. Thirty-sixnovices (M age ¼ 33.6, SD ¼ 19.7) learned using either (a)internal-focus (arm movement), (b) external-focus (target/dart)or (c) control instructions before completing retention andtransfer tests 10 days later. FOA strategies did not significantlybenefit dart throwing learning or performance. QED was associated with performance in the transfer task, and pupillary constriction occurred during the QED. The content of FOAinstructions may have limited anticipated performance benefitsand reduced the FOA influence on QED. Pupillary constrictionreflected increased cognitive effort during QED, suggesting animportant feature of future precision aiming research

Parenting Skills for Lower Functioning Deaf Adults

Deaf Arkansan Center for Cultivating Employability and Self-Sufficiency (Deaf ACCESS) is a statewide center providing professional services for severely disabled deaf individuals. The center\u27s core objectives are to focus on obstacles preventing successful independent living. Limited academic achievement, poor socialization skills, lack of information regarding everyday life skills, stereotyped vocational planning and interpersonal development are all commonly mentioned problems. During the early years. Deaf ACCESS has been addressing problems of independent living, community activities, interpreting and counseling for clients who are enrolled in the program. One of the center\u27s goal is to teach client’s parenting skills and educate them on how to facilitate their child\u27s development