bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O1A.1 Pesticide exposure of workers during treatment and re-entry tasks in apple-growing: results from the canepa study in france
Authors: Bureau Mathilde , Béziat Béatrix , Duporté Geoffroy , Lecluse Yannick , Schwall Xavier , Bouchart Valérie , Riou Gaëlle , Barron Emmanuelle , Devier Marie-Hélène , Macary Francis , Garrigou Alain , Budzinski Hélène , Lebailly Pierre , Baldi Isabelle
Published: May 2020

Few studies were performed to assess workers’ exposure to pesticides in orchards and even less during re-entry activities. However, nearly 40 pesticide treatments per year are carried out in apple-growing especially against fungal diseases, mainly scab. In order to characterize pesticide exposures of farmers in epidemiological studies, we performed a non-controlled field study in 3 regions of France (Normandy, South-West and Rhône-Alpes) in apple orchards during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. We observed the activity of the workers trying to disrupt it as little as possible. Workers’ external contamination and their determinants were assessed during 158 working days, corresponding to 31 treatment days (including mixing, spraying and equipment cleaning), 69 re-entry days (including apple hand-thinning, anti-hail net opening and closing tasks) and 58 harvesting days. We performed both detailed observations of work characteristics on the whole day (including an ergonomic approach) and pesticide measurements for dermal contamination during each task (following the OCDE guidelines). Potential dermal exposure was measured with cotton pads placed onto the skin (11 body areas), and cotton gloves or hand rinsing for each task. Captan and dithianon, fungicides representative of pesticide use in apple-growing, were used as markers for exposure. Relative contribution of the different body areas to total exposure was assessed. In addition, to investigate potential sources of contamination, we measured dislodgeable residues in the environment of the workers by analyzing leaf and fruit samples and surfaces of work equipment. Results indicated that workers’ dermal exposure was higher during re-entry tasks than treatments and harvests. The median dermal contamination during treatment was 4.03 mg of active ingredients per day, levels ranging from 0.95 mg to 64.19 mg. Most of the contamination was observed on the hands, especially during mixing. We will focus our presentation on levels and main determinants of pesticide exposure during treatment tasks.
O3A.5 Environmental dust exposure from gold mine waste dumps and respiratory health effects in johannesburg, south africa
Authors: Iyaloo Samantha , Kootbodien Tahira , Naicker Nisha , Mathee Angela , Kgalamono Spo , Wilson Kerry , Rees David
Published: May 2020

Background

Thousands of people living in close proximity to gold mine waste dumps (GMWDs), are exposed to wind-swept, silica-rich dust. The effects on respiratory heath consequent on this exposure are largely unknown.

Objective

To examine associations between environmental GMWD dust exposure and respiratory health effects in adults.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of 93, 133 and 84 people in high (home <500 m from GMWD), moderate (500 m-1km) and low (>20 km) exposure groups respectively. We calculated a cumulative exposure index (CEI) based on exposure groups and years of residence. Participants were interviewed for respiratory symptoms, had chest X-rays (read by three experienced readers for tuberculosis and silicosis) and spirometry. We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the effect of dust exposure on respiratory health, and multiple linear regression to determine if CEI was associated with% predicted FEV1 and FVC. We adjusted for socioeconomic status, smoking and occupational and biomass fuel exposure.

Results

Being in the high exposure group versus the low was associated with elevated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for upper respiratory (aOR: 2.76, 95% CI: 1.28–5.97) and ocular symptoms (aOR: 4.68; 95% CI: 1.87–11.68), chest wheezing (aOR: 3.78; 95% CI: 1.60–8.96) and spirometry-diagnosed COPD (aOR: 8.17; 95% CI: 1.01–65.85). We found similar associations for the high versus medium exposure groups, but no significant associations in the medium relative to the low group. Exposure had no significant effect on the risks of chronic bronchitis and tuberculosis. We found similar significant results for CEI as for the exposure groups analyses. On linear regression, CEI was not associated with% predicted FEV1, but, surprisingly, FVC was positively associated with CEI. No participant had radiological features of silicosis.

Conclusion

Residents residing <500 m from GMWDs had elevated aORs for respiratory health effects. Both exposure measures (exposure groups and CEI) yielded similar results.
O3A.6 Recent organic dust exposure and prognosis of asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). A nationwide register based follow-up study
Authors: Vested Anne , Basinas Ioannis , Burdorf Alex , Elholm Grethe , Heederik Dick , Jacobsen Gitte , Kolstad Henrik , Kromhout Hans , Omland Øyvind , Sigsgaard Torben , Vestergaard Jesper Medom , Wouters Inge , Schlünssen Vivi
Published: May 2020

Background

Air pollutants at work can contribute to onset of asthma and COPD. How occupational air pollutants affect the prognosis of asthma or COPD among exposed workers is not well established.

Objective

We aimed, among individuals with a hospital diagnosis of asthma or COPD, to study the association between recent exposure to organic dust, and hospital readmission and overall mortality.

Methods

The study population comprised individuals ever employed in farming or wood industry with asthma (n=4002) or COPD (n=2429) identified in the Danish national patient register of individuals born 1933–1977. Subjects were included the year immediately following their first asthma or COPD hospital contact (earliest in 1998) and followed until first asthma or COPD readmission, death, or December 31 st 2007. Exposure data was obtained through register-based industry codes from 1997–2007 combined with time-dependent farming and wood industry-specific exposure matrices. We used logistic regression analysis with discrete survival function adjusted for age, calendar year, sex, mineral dust exposure, socioeconomic status, and labour-force participation.

Results

Among individuals with asthma, the risk of hospital readmission was slightly increased among the exposed vs. the non-exposed, RRadj 1.17 (0.91–1.50), but with no exposure trend. A non-significant decrease in mortality was seen for organic dust exposure and mortality for those individuals, RRadj 0.71 (0.24–2.06).

The risk of a COPD readmission among individuals with COPD was decreased among exposed vs. non-exposed individuals, RRadj 0.67 (0.46–0.98), but with no exposure trend. Mortality was non-significantly increased for exposed vs. non-exposed individuals with COPD, RRadj 1.59 (0.82–3.08).

Conclusion

We did not observe significant associations between recent exposure to organic dust and readmission for COPD/asthma or overall mortality except for a decreased risk for COPD readmission. Selection effects are presumably playing a role. We did adjust for socioeconomic position and labour-force participation but not for smoking which is a limitation.
O3B.1 Burden of work absence due to compensable road traffic crashes in victoria, australia
Authors: Gray Shannon , Collie Alex
Published: May 2020

Background

The burden of road traffic crashes (RTC) is commonly reported using fatalities and hospital admissions. Disruption to regular activities, such as work, is rarely reported, yet known to have significant economic and human costs. In the state of Victoria, Australia, people injured and unable to work due to RTC may have treatment and income support provided either through the RTC compensation system or through workers’ compensation. By examining data from both systems, this study sought to determine the rate (per 1 00 000 working population) of RTC injury resulting in work absence, and to quantify the amount of working time lost to RTC injury.

Methods

Data from each compensation system were harmonised. Analysis included claims from RTCs that occurred between July 1 2003 and June 30 2013 by 15–65 year olds who received at least one day of income support. Fatalities and rejected claims were excluded. Time lost was calculated as the total weeks of income support. Non-parametric tests were performed to determine differences between exposure variables (e.g. male versus female).

Results

There were 36 640 workers meeting inclusion criteria (average 305 cases per month; mean rate per month of 11.6 per 1 00 000 working population). A total of 1,121,863 lost working weeks were compensated, with a median of 10 weeks. Thirty-two percent of cases did not have a record of attending hospital. The lowest median duration of time loss was among those involved in a train or tram crash (2.9 weeks) and the highest among those with quadriplegia (142.2 weeks). Duration of income support was significantly different within age, sex, injury type, severity, crash type, and compensation system groups.

Conclusions

Results showed that RTC injuries of all severities caused considerable work absence. Measures of work absence can complement existing measures of RTC burden.
O3C.1 Silica exposure in swedish iron foundries and biological markers of inflammation and coagulation in blood
Authors: Andersson Lena , Bryngelsson Ing-Liss , Westberg Håkan
Published: May 2020

Background

Work-related exposure to silica is a health hazard worldwide causing i.e. silicosis. Inflammation is known to be a cause of cardiovascular diseases and some studies have presented elevated cardiovascular disease mortality in relation to silica exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between inhalation of exposure to silica in Swedish iron foundries and markers of inflammation and coagulation in blood.

Methods

Personal sampling of respirable dust and silica was performed for 85 subjects in three Swedish iron foundries. Stationary measurements were used to study concentrations of respirable dust and silica, inhalable and total dust, PM10 and PM2.5, the particle surface area and the particle number concentrations. The markers of inflammation analyzed were, interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12), C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A (SAA), and markers of coagulation fibrinogen, factor VIII (FVIII), von Willebrand factor, and d-dimer were measured in plasma or serum. The sampling was performed on the second or third day of a working week following a work free weekend, and additional sampling on the fourth or fifth day.

The personal and stationary measurement data were categorized into three classes to introduce high contrast with a minimum of 10 workers in each group. A mixed model analysis adjusted for sex, age, smoking, infections, blood group, sampling day and BMI was used.

Results

For personal sampling the average 8 hour time-weighted average air concentration of respirable dust were 0.85 mg/m3 and respirable silica 0.052 mg/m3. For the high exposure group, statistically significant increased levels of SAA, fibrinogen and FVIII were determined for some exposure measures.

Conclusions

This study may indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease when observing relations between particle exposure and inflammatory markers.
O3C.3 Longitudinal assessment of smoking cessation and mortality from all-cause and all-cancer among silicotics in hong kong, 1981–2014
Authors: Tse Lap Ah , Chan Chi Kuen , Yu Ignatius Tak-sun , Leung Chi Chiu
Published: May 2020

Background

Occupational epidemiological studies among silicotics showed that long-term smoking cessation had lowered lung cancer risk by over 50%, but the beneficial effect for reducing risks of other diseases remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the impact of smoking cessation on the mortality from all-cause and all-cancer using a large historical cohort of 3185 Chinese silicotics since 1981 and followed-up till 2014.

Methods

Each silicotic’s baseline information was collected including socio-demographics, occupational history and medical history. Smoking habits were assessed at the baseline and reassessed during the follow-up. Multiple Cox proportional hazards model was performed to evaluate the impact of smoking cessation on all-cause and all-cancer mortality using adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results

By the end of 2014, a total of 1942 deaths occurred and 360 silicotics died from cancer. Compared with never smokers, silicotics who were new quitters had 30% and 65% higher risk of all-cause of death [AHR=1.30, 95% CI: 1.06–1.58] and all-cancer (AHR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.04–2.62), while persistent quitters had a 52% and 49% excess risk of all-cause of death (AHR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.25–1.84) and all-cancer (AHR=1.49, 95% CI: 0.94–2.36), respectively. AHR for all-cause mortality among never quitters was 1.40 (95%CI: 1.14–1.73) while the HR for all-cancer was 2.08 (95%CI: 1.30–3.32). Both all-cause mortality and all-cause mortality decreased sharply after 5 years of smoking cessation and their risks almost equaled to those of the never smokers if the quitters could have kept abstained for more than 20 years.

Conclusions

Smoking cessation sharply decreased all-cause and all-cancer mortality among workers with silicosis, and the beneficial effect was prominent for the long-term quitters.

Acknowledgement

Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board, Hong Kong
O3C.5 Reduced serum clara cell protein (CC16) as an early pulmonary injury marker for fine particulate matter exposure in occupational population
Authors: Duan Huawei , Wang Yanhua , Wang Zhenjie , Wang Ting
Published: May 2020

Background

Particulate matter is the key component of air pollutants, mainly produced by emissions of coal-fired plants and road traffic. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution is associated with increased morbidity and mortality for respiratory diseases. However, few population-based studies have been conducted to assess the alterations of circulating pulmonary proteins due to long-term PM2.5exposure.

Methods

We designed a two-stage study. At the first stage, we enrolled 558 coke plant workers with a wide range of PM2.5exposure levels as the exposed group and 210 controls in China. Pulmonary injury was measured by lung function and serum Clara cell protein (CC16), surfactant protein A (SP-A), and surfactant protein D (SP-D). Linear regression models were used to assess the associations between PM2.5, pulmonary injury markers, and lung function. At the second stage, significant initial findings were validated by an independent diesel engine exhaust (DEE) cohort with 50 DEE exposed workers and 50 controls.

Results

Serum CC16 decreased in a dose-response manner in association with both external and internal PM2.5exposures in two cohorts. In the first stage, serum CC16 levels decreased with increasing duration of occupational PM2.5exposure history. An IQR (122.0 μg/m3) increase in PM2.5was associated with a 5.76% decrease in serum CC16, whereas an IQR (1.06 μmol/mol creatinine) increase in urinary 1-OHP concentration was associated with a 5.36% decrease in serum CC16 in the COE cohort. In the validation stage, the concentration of serum CC16 in PM2.5exposed group were 22.42% lower than that of the control and an IQR (1.24 μmol/mol creatinine) increase in urinary 1-OHP concentration was associated with a 12.24% decrease in serum CC16 in DEE cohort.

Conclusions

Reduction of serum CC16 may be a sensitive marker for pulmonary damage in populations with high PM2.5exposure.
O1A.3 Occupational insecticide exposure, glycemic regulation and bronchoconstriction: preliminary results from a short-term cohort study among small-scale farmers in uganda
Authors: Rune Hassan Hansen Martin , Jørs Erik , Sandbæk Annelli , Sekabojja Daniel , Ssempebwa John , Mubeezi Ruth , Staudacher Philipp , Fuhrimann Samuel , Schlünssen Vivi
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Epidemiological studies have suggested associations between exposure to some classes of non-persistent insecticides, airways obstruction (Doust et al, 2014) and diabetes mellitus (Evangelou et al, 2016). Yet the evidence is limited by cross-sectional study designs and exposure metrics based on self-reported information only. The purpose of this study is to investigate these associations in a strong study design employing objective exposure metrics.

Methods

From September 2018 to February 2019, we are conducting a short-term cohort study in a population of 370 small-scale farmers in Uganda, half of which are conventional farmers and the other half working towards organic certification. We examine participants before, during and after the October-November agricultural pesticide-spraying season. In each study round, participants perform spirometry, and glycemic regulation is assessed by analysis of glycated aemoglobin A (HbA1c) as well as fasting plasma glucose for a subgroup. Detailed questionnaire-based information on pesticide usage (frequency, intensity, duration, specific compounds, personal protective equipment etc.) is used to construct an internal task-exposure matrix. The task-exposure matrix will be validated by erythrocyte choline esterase (AchE) activity as a proxy for organophosphate and carbamate exposure, as well as passive pesticide samplers (silicone wristbands) worn by participants between the study rounds.

Results and discussion

The baseline (pre-spraying season) data collection is finalized. Data collection for the two rounds of follow-up (during/after the spraying season) is ongoing. At the conference, we will present the first results on temporal changes across the spraying season in AchE and associations with glycated aemoglobin A, fasting plasma glucose and lung function.

References

Doust, et al. Is pesticide exposure a cause of obstructive airways disease?European Respiratory Review2014June 1;23(132):180–92.

Evangelou, et al. Exposure to pesticides and diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environment International2016May 1;91:60–8.
O3E.2 Risk of mental health disorders in human service occupations: a register based study of 445,651 norwegians
Authors: Kristensen Petter , Hanvold Therese N , Hasting Rachel L , Merkus Suzanne L , Mehlum Ingrid S
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Mental disorders contribute strongly to disability. Work in human service occupations has been considered a risk factor in several studies. We aimed at quantifying this relationship in a prospective follow-up of all employed persons born in Norway, 1967–1976.

Methods

We conducted follow-up in several national registries. Based upon the ISCO98 four-digit code, we classified 2007 occupations into customer contact, client/patient contact, and reference (no contact). Client/patient contact was subdivided into health care, education and social work. We collected mental disorder diagnoses (ICD-10 F00-F99), in particular affective (F30-F39) and stress-related (F40-F48), in the Norwegian Patient Registry, 2008–2011. Four-year prevalence differences (PD) per 100 across occupational categories were estimated in binomial regression models adjusted for year of birth, marital history, current family pattern, and education level.

Results

Among 4 45 651 employed persons, 18% held customer-related occupations while 25% held occupations with client/patient contact. The total four-year prevalence of mental disorder was 8.6/100 (38,207 patients). Affective and stress-related prevalences were 5.3 and 6.5 for women, and 3.0 and 3.2 for men, respectively. Adjusted PD estimates showed positive associations between client/patient contact occupations and mental disorders: for women, affective and stress-related disorder PD estimates were 1.1 (95% confidence interval (CI); 0.9–1.3) and 1.3 (CI; 1.0–1.5), respectively. The corresponding PD estimates for men were 1.7 (CI; 1.5–2.0) and 1.5 (CI; 1.2–1.7). We found strongest associations for women in social work (PD 2.3 for stress-related disorders) and men in health care (PD 2.6 for affective disorders). Associations with other mental disorder categories were weak, as were associations with customer contact occupations.

Conclusions

Affective and stress-related morbidity was clearly associated with occupations involving client/patient contact for both sexes. We cannot dismiss health selection as an alternative to a causal effect of work-related factors. This register-based study is not well suited to provide mechanistic explanations.
O3E.4 Layoffs and the mental health and safety of remaining workers: a quasi-experimental study of the U.S. aluminum industry
Authors:   UC Berkeley School of Public Health Holly Elser, Ben-Michael Elijahu , Rehkopf David , Modrek Sepideh , Eisen Ellen , Cullen Mark
Published: May 2020

Background

Relatively few studies have examined the effects of layoffs on remaining workers, although the effects of layoffs and downsizing events may extend beyond those employees who lose their jobs.

Methods

We examined the effects of layoffs on mental healthcare utilization and injury risk among workers at 30 U.S. plants between 2003 and 2013. We defined layoffs as reductions in the hourly workforce of 20% or more at each plant. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we compared the change in outcomes during layoffs versus the same three-month period one year previously, accounting for secular trends with control plants.

Results

Our study population included 15 502 workers and seven layoff events between 2003 and 2012. Layoffs were associated with decreases in reported injuries (−0.006, 95% CI −0.013, 0.001), and increased probability of outpatient visits (0.010, 95% CI 0.003, 0.017) and prescriptions (0.014, 95% CI −0.0006, 0.027) for mental health. Among men, injury risk decreased more substantially (−0.010, 95% CI −0.018,–0.001) and among women the increase in outpatient visits was more pronounced (0.017, 95% CI 0.003, 0.031). Most notably, the observed increase in prescription utilization appeared attributable primarily to increased frequency of opioid prescriptions (0.016 95% CI 0.005–0.027).

Conclusion

Our results indicate an association between layoffs and remaining workers’ mental health and safety. However, decreased injury may reflect changes in reporting practices, and changes mental healthcare utilization may reflect changes in care-seeking. Future research on concordance of service utilization and underlying health and safety may yield valuable insight into the experiences employed workers in the wake of layoffs.
O4A.2 Joint effects of night work and shift rotation on treated depression in a longitudinal cohort of manufacturing workers
Authors: Ferguson Jacqueline , Elser Holly , Costello Sadie , Cullen Mark , Eisen Ellen
Published: May 2020

Past research consistently identifies shift work – a type of scheduled work that includes both night work and schedule rotations – as risk factor for depression. However, relatively few studies have examined whether people working more nights or rotations are more likely to seek treatment for depression.

A total of 5848 workers across 33 plants in the American Manufacturing Cohort (AMC) were followed 2003–2013. The first observed episode of treated depression was defined from insurance claims as two depression-related outpatient visits or two prescribed antidepressants within 365 days. Using detailed timeclock data, night work (≥3 hours between 23:00 and 6:00) was defined as the percent of shifts that included a night shift and was categorized into non-night work 0%; low >0%–30%; medium >30%–70%; and high 70%–100%. Shift rotations (≥6 hours between subsequent shift start times), were similarly defined and classified as none 0%, infrequent <10%, and frequent rotations≥10%. We examined the joint effects of night work and shift rotation on the time to first episode of treated depression using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Shift workers were more likely to be treated for depression compared with non-rotating, non-night workers. Workers with medium exposure to night work had the highest association with treated depression compared with permanent non-night workers, and the joint effects were similar between those with frequent rotations (HR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.00–2.67) and infrequent rotations (1.53, 0.99–2.37). Associations were slightly elevated among permanent night workers (1.27, 0.72–2.25) and workers with high exposure to night work regardless of rotations (1.36, 0.86–2.17).

Recent shift work exposure may be associated with higher rates of treated depression, and night work, rather than rotation, may be driving the association. However, there may be selection out of night work due to underlying depression and we were unable to differentiate new-onset from preexisting disease.
O4A.3 Do shift workers have a different exposure to workplace carcinogens than non-shift workers?
Authors: El-zaemey Sonia , Carey Renee
Published: May 2020

Background

There is limited information on whether the prevalence of exposure to workplace carcinogens varies among shift workers and non-shift workers.

Methods

This analysis used data from the Australian Work Exposures Study-Cancer, a telephone survey which examined exposure to carcinogens in the workplace. Workers were classified as shift workers if they indicated that their usual roster ever included work between the hours of midnight and 5 am. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence internals (CIs).

Results

Among the 5425 workers, 6.88% reported doing shiftwork. Overall, shift workers were more likely to be exposed to any carcinogen (aPR=1.16; 95% 1.06–1.26) and to multiple carcinogens (aPR=1.17; 95% 1.06–1.30) than non-shift workers.

Conclusions

Our study shows that there are differences in exposure to carcinogenic agents among shift and non-shift workers, and so there is a need for prevention programs in order to reduce these discrepancies.
O4A.4 The relationship between shift work and sleep disturbance in hospital workers
Authors: Koh Dong-Hee , Park Ju-Hyun , Yoon Seo-Hyun , Kim Hyun-Joo
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Many hospital workers suffer from sleep disturbance due to shift work. The best way to mitigate the problem would be reducing night shift. However, that is commonly impossible in reality. Thus, we aimed to examine the factors associated with sleep disturbance and suggest better-rotating schedules for hospital workers.

Methods

We used sleep questionnaires asking sleep disturbance including sleep onset and maintenance problems for measuring health outcomes. Also, We obtained a duty schedule of the workers for assessing exposure. We examined the effect of the pattern of shift schedule and amount of night shifts on sleep disturbance.

Results

A total of 590 workers participated in this study. Female (95%) 3-rotating shift (92%) workers dominated. For workshift pattern, two consecutive night shifts increased the risk of sleep maintenance problem significantly. For the amount of night shift, two or more night shifts per week increased the risk of sleep onset problem significantly.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that avoding consecutive night shifts and restricting night shift to one time per week would be helpful to prevent sleep disturbance in hospital workers.
O4B.2 Patterns and predictors of return to work after major trauma: a prospective, population based registry study
Authors: Collie Alex , Simpson Pamela , Cameron Peter , Ameratunga Shanthi , Ponsford Jennie , Lyons Ronan , Braaf Sandra , Nunn Andrew , Harrison James , Gabbe Belinda
Published: May 2020

Background

Employment is an important marker of functional recovery from injury. There are few population-based studies of long-term employment outcomes, and limited data on the patterns of return to work post injury.

Objectives

This study sought to characterise patterns of engagement in work over the four-year period following major traumatic injury, and to identify factors associated with those patterns.

Method

We conducted a population-based, prospective cohort study using the Victorian State Trauma Registry. A total of 1086 working age individuals, in paid employment or full-time education before injury, were followed-up through telephone interview at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months post-injury. Responses to return to work (RTW) questions were used to define four discrete patterns: early and sustained; delayed; failed; no RTW. Predictors of RTW patterns were assessed using multivariate multinomial logistic regression.

Results

Slightly more than half of respondents (51.6%) recorded early sustained RTW. A further 15.5% had delayed and 13.3% failed RTW. One in five (19.7%) did not RTW. Compared with early sustained RTW, predictors of delayed and no RTW included being in a manual occupation and injury in a motor vehicle accident. Older age and receiving compensation predicted both failed and no RTW patterns. Pre-injury disability was an additional predictor of failed RTW. Presence of co-morbidity was an additional predictor of no RTW.

Conclusions

A range of personal, occupational, injury, health and compensation system factors influence RTW patterns after serious injury. Early identification of people at risk for delayed, failed or no RTW is needed so that targeted interventions can be delivered.
O4C.3 Job strain, exposure to carcinogens and the wellbeing of migrant workers
Authors: Daly Alison , Reid Alison
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Job strain adversely affects wellbeing. It is unclear if job strain increases the risk of exposure to carcinogens. The aim of this study is to examine how high strain jobs influence exposure to carcinogens and wellbeing and whether this varies by migration status.

Methods

A national telephone survey conducted in 2016/17 examined exposure to workplace hazards among 1630 migrant workers (born in India, New Zealand and the Philippines). Exposure to carcinogens was assessed an online platform that automates exposure assessment. High job strain and wellbeing was measured using standardised questionnaires. Univariate statistics examined high job strain and exposure to carcinogens by country of birth. Models were developed to explore these associations.

Results

There were no differences in prevalence of job strain by country of birth with percents ranging from 23.8% [95% CI 18.6,30.0] for India-born workers to 26.5% [95% 21.7,31.8] for New Zealand-born. A lower percent of migrants born in India or the Philippines were exposed to any carcinogens at work 55.2% [95% CI 51.2,59.0]) compared New Zealand workers (68.8% [95% CI 63.9,73.4] vs 55.2% [95% CI 51.2,59.0]). Wellness means ranged from 13.6 [95% CI 13.1,14.1] for Philippines-born workers to 14.3 [95% CI 13.9,14.7] for New Zealand-born. Wellbeing was adversely impacted by high job strain (Coef=2.1 95% CI 1.7,2.6). There was no difference by country of birth. Job strain was not associated with exposure to carcinogens but country of birth was with workers born in India having a lower probability of being exposed (Predicted probability of exposure:. 50 (95% CI. 46,.54) compared with the other migrant workers.

Discussion

High strain jobs adversely affected wellbeing independent of migrant status. Job strain was not associated with either exposure to carcinogens or migrant status. However migrant status was associated with exposure to carcinogens.
Fluorene exposure among PAH-exposed workers is associated with epigenetic markers related to lung cancer
Authors: Alhamdow Ayman , Essig Yona J , Krais Annette M , Gustavsson Per , Tinnerberg Håkan , Lindh Christian H , Hagberg Jessika , Graff Pål , Albin Maria , Broberg Karin
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Exposure to high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may cause cancer in chimney sweeps and creosote-exposed workers, however, knowledge about exposure to low-molecular-weight PAHs in relation to cancer risk is limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate occupational exposure to the low-molecular-weight PAHs phenanthrene and fluorene in relation to different cancer biomarkers.

Methods

We recruited 151 chimney sweeps, 19 creosote-exposed workers and 152 unexposed workers (controls), all men. We measured monohydroxylated metabolites of phenanthrene and fluorene in urine using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. We measured, in peripheral blood, the cancer biomarkers telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number using quantitative PCR; and DNA methylation ofF2RL3andAHRRusing pyrosequencing.

Results

Median PAH metabolite concentrations were higher among chimney sweeps (up to 3 times) and creosote-exposed workers (up to 353 times), compared with controls (p<0.001; adjusted for age and smoking). ∑OH-fluorene (sum of 2-hydroxyfluorene and 3-hydroxyfluorene) showed inverse associations with percentage DNA methylation ofF2RL3andAHRRin chimney sweeps (B (95% CI)=–2.7 (–3.9 to –1.5) forF2RL3_cg03636183, and –7.1 (–9.6 to –4.7) forAHRR_cg05575921: adjusted for age and smoking), but not in creosote-exposed workers. In addition, ∑OH-fluorene showed a 42% mediation effect on the inverse association between being a chimney sweep and DNA methylation ofAHRRCpG2.

Conclusions

Chimney sweeps and creosote-exposed workers were occupationally exposed to low-molecular-weight PAHs. Increasing fluorene exposure, among chimney sweeps, was associated with lower DNA methylation ofF2RL3andAHRR, markers for increased lung cancer risk. These findings warrant further investigation of fluorene exposure and toxicity.
Numerical study on deformation characteristics of fibre-reinforced load-transfer platform and columns-supported embankments
Authors: Dang Cong Chi , Dang Liet Chi , Khabbaz Hadi , Sheng Daichao
Published: May 2020

In this investigation, a ground-modification technique utilising a fibre-reinforced load-transfer platform (FRLTP) and columns-supported (CS) embankment constructed on multi-layered soft soils is proposed and investigated. After validating the proposed model with published data in the literature, numerical analysis was firstly conducted on the two-dimensional finite element model of a CS embankment without or with FRLTP to examine the influence of the FRLTP inclusion into the CS embankment system. Secondly, an extensive parametric study was performed to further investigate the effects of the FRLTP essential parameters — including platform thickness, shear strength, and tensile strength properties — and deformation modulus on the embankment performance during the construction and post-construction stages. Additionally, the influence of the embankment design parameters, such as column spacing, column length, and diameter, was examined. The numerical results reveal that the FRLTP inclusion can be effective in enhancing the CS embankment behaviour. It is also found that when increasing the platform thickness, the shear strength properties of FRLTP play a significant role in improving the overall performance of a column embankment with FRLTP.
Subdividing the spectrum: quantifying host specialization in mistletoes
Authors: Milner Kirsty V. , Leigh Andrea , Gladstone William , Watson David M.
Published: May 2020

Parasites necessarily depend on their hosts, but the number of host species used by a parasite varies from one to hundreds. Estimating host range and identifying the preferred host species that influence distributional boundaries and confer greater advantage to the parasite has proven elusive. As well as the confounding effects of sampling effort, characterising host specificity and preference has been hindered by considering host-use without accounting for availability. We selected three mistletoe species (Lysiana exocarpi, Amyema quandang, and Amyema lucasii) and sampled mistletoe–host interactions and host availability free from sampling bias. To quantify host specificity and identify preferred host species we applied specialist/generalist scores (G) and resource selection ratios (ω) respectively. Host specificity and preference were assessed at four scales. The generalist L. exocarpi was found to parasitise 31 plant species. Even at small scales, G values and host species turnover were high, with eight preferred hosts identified. Amyema quandang had a low G score with significant preference for half of its Acacia hosts. Amyema lucasii significantly preferred one host, consequently having low G values at all scales. By collecting potential host data and applying G scores and ω, the parasite host spectrum can be quantitatively estimated rather than qualitatively described.
DNA sequence-based mapping and comparative genomics of theStgenome ofPseudoroegneria spicata(Pursh) Á. Löve versus wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) and barley (Hordeum vulgareL.)
Authors: Wang Richard R.-C. , Li Xingfeng , Robbins Matthew D. , Larson Steve R. , Bushman Shaun B. , Jones Thomas A. , Thomas Aaron
Published: May 2020

Bluebunch wheatgrass (referred to as BBWG) [Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Á. Löve] is an important rangeland Triticeae grass used for forage, conservation, and restoration. This diploid has the basic St genome that occurs also in many polyploid Triticeae species, which serve as a gene reservoir for wheat improvement. Until now, the St genome in diploid species of Pseudoroegneria has not been mapped. Using a double-cross mapping populations, we mapped 230 expressed sequence tag derived simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) and 3468 genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) markers to 14 linkage groups (LGs), two each for the seven homologous groups of the St genome. The 227 GBS markers of BBWG that matched those in a previous study helped identify the unclassified seven LGs of the St sub-genome among 21 LGs of Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey. Comparisons of GBS sequences in BBWG to whole-genome sequences in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) revealed that the St genome shared a homology of 35% and 24%, a synteny of 86% and 84%, and a collinearity of 0.85 and 0.86, with ABD and H, respectively. This first-draft molecular map of the St genome will be useful in breeding cereal and forage crops.
Analytic self-gravitating 4-Baryons, traversable NUT-AdS wormholes, flat space-time multi-Skyrmions at finite volume and a novel transition in the SU(3)-Skyrme model
Authors: Ayón-Beato E. , Canfora F. , Lagos M. , Oliva J. , Vera A.
Published: May 2020

We construct the first analytic self-gravitating Skyrmions with higher Baryon charge in four dimensions for theSU(3)-Skyrme–Einstein-$$\Lambda $$Λtheory by combining the generalized hedgehog ansatz with the approach developed by Balachandran et al. to describe the first (numerical) example of a non-embedded solution. These are genuineSU(3) analytic solutions instead of trivial embeddings ofSU(2) intoSU(3) and its geometry is that of a Bianchi IX Universe. The Skyrme ansatz is chosen in such a way that the Skyrme field equations are identically satisfied in the sector with Baryon charge 4. The field equations reduce to a dynamical system for the three Bianchi IX scale factors. Particular solutions are explicitly analyzed. Traversable wormholes with NUT-AdS asymptotics supported by a topologically non-trivialSU(3)-sigma soliton are also constructed. The self-gravitating solutions admit also a suitable flat limit giving rise to Skyrmions of charge 4 confined in a box of finite volume maintaining the integrability of theSU(3) Skyrme field equations. This formalism discloses a novel transition at finite Baryon density arising from the competition between embedded and non-embedded solutions in which the non-embedded solutions prevail at high density while are suppressed at low densities.
Fano manifolds containing a negative divisor isomorphic to a rational homogeneous space of Picard number one
Authors: Liu Jie
Published: May 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be an [Formula: see text]-dimensional complex Fano manifold [Formula: see text]. Assume that [Formula: see text] contains a divisor [Formula: see text], which is isomorphic to a rational homogeneous space with Picard number one, such that the conormal bundle [Formula: see text] is ample over [Formula: see text]. Building on the works of Tsukioka, Watanabe and Casagrande–Druel, we give a complete classification of such pairs [Formula: see text].
Hausdorff and packing dimensions of Mandelbrot measure
Authors: Attia Najmeddine
Published: May 2020

We develop, in the context of the boundary of a supercritical Galton–Watson tree, a uniform version of large deviation estimate on homogeneous trees to estimate almost surely and simultaneously the Hausdorff and packing dimensions of the Mandelbrot measure over a suitable set [Formula: see text]. As an application, we compute, almost surely and simultaneously, the Hausdorff and packing dimensions of a fractal set related to covering number on the Galton–Watson tree.
Feasible production of hydrogen from methanol reforming through single stage DC microplasma reactor
Authors: Meiyazhagan S. , Yugeswaran S. , Suresh K. , Ananthapadmanabhan P. V. , Kobayashi A.
Published: May 2020

Plasma-assisted methanol reforming is an effective technology to produce hydrogen for various clean energy applications. In this study, hydrogen was produced from methanol reforming in a unique single stage microplasma reactor. Microplasma was produced between the capillary stainless steel tube electrodes by using high voltage direct current (DC) power supply. Blend of methanol and water was supplied to the microplasma reactor in a controlled flow rate using nitrogen as carrier gas. The effects of applied input power to the discharge and methanol feed rate on the performance of the plasma methanol decomposition were investigated. The experimental results showed that increasing the applied input power expressively increased the methanol conversion and hydrogen energy yield. In contrast, the increased feed rate significantly decreased the methanol conversion efficiency though it enriched the hydrogen energy yield. Under selective conditions, hydrogen energy yield of 24.14 g kW[Formula: see text] h[Formula: see text] was achieved with the conversion efficiency of 71% and 50% selectivity for H2, which is comparatively better than many of plasma-assisted methanol reforming processes. This investigation reveals that methanol reforming through a single stage microplasma reactor has the ability to produce hydrogen efficiently without coke formation at room-temperature and atmospheric pressure.
Optimization of large power factor in molybdenum oxide thin films deposited on Si substrate
Authors: Ge Xue , Zhu Hanming , Yue Song
Published: May 2020

The performance of thermoelectric (TE) thin films strongly depends on the substrates. In our previous study, we investigated the power factor (PF) 1.78 mW/[Formula: see text] at 700 K in [Formula: see text] thin film grown on single crystalline Si, comparable to the state of art in other TE thin films. Such boosted PF originates mainly from the significantly enhanced Seebeck coefficient, correlated with the contribution of the Si substrate. In this paper, the PF has been prominently optimized up to 12.5 mW/[Formula: see text] at 668 K by adjusting the thickness of [Formula: see text] film in the [Formula: see text]/Si system, which could be understood in the frame work of parallel slab model. Experimentally, the effective TE properties were susceptible to the substrate–film interface. The existence of Mo in [Formula: see text] film might limit the formation of [Formula: see text] interfacial layer. These results suggest a simple, low-cost, scalable technique route to explore highly effective TE devices.
Periodic solutions of the (2 + 1)-dimensional complex modified Korteweg-de Vries equation
Authors: Yuan Feng , Jiang Ying
Published: May 2020

The periodic solutions for the [Formula: see text]-dimensional complex modified Korteweg–de Vries (cmKdV) equation are obtained by using the Darboux transformation (DT). Starting with a periodic seed, we get two types of periodic solutions that are respectively, induced by different properties of the parameter [Formula: see text], namely, the periodic line wave solutions for [Formula: see text] and the breather solutions for [Formula: see text]. Especially, for each type, two different kinds of solutions can be obtained via choosing different constrains, namely, [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]. The detailed dynamical characteristics of these solutions are also analyzed, including period, velocity, extreme values, amputations and the rules of temporal evolutions.
Lattice Boltzmann simulations of meso-vortex in resonance mixing technology
Authors: Xu Xingqiang , Wang Xiaopeng , Chen Song , Zhu Shifu , Pang Linjia
Published: May 2020

Resonance dispersion mixing technology is a new process developed in recent years. The main function of the technology is each scale vortex caused by the vibration, which is a multiscale phenomenon that includes macroscopic vortices and mesoscopic vortices. For mesoscopic vortices, due to the lack of sufficient resolution, current commercial software filter and average these vortices, so it is difficult to meet the needs of research. Based on this, the paper proposes a lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) to simulate the mesoscopic vortices. The LBM is a mesoscale research method, so it has sufficient resolution to study mesoscopic vortices. The paper mainly simulated the process of splitting and evolution of mesoscopic vortices, studied the effects of parameters such as simulation interval, viscosity, vibration frequency on mesoscopic vortices. The results show that the selection of the simulation interval has a certain influence on the evolution of the vortices. The viscosity of the flow field plays a decisive role in the vortices, for there is no vortex generation when the viscosity exceeds a certain threshold. The excitation frequency controls the development process of the vortices, larger frequency can significantly reduce the micro-mixing characteristic time to increase mixing efficiency. Different from the previous theoretical analysis literature, this paper gives visual numerical simulation results.
Conservation laws and Darboux transformations for a 3-coupled integrable lattice equations
Authors: Fan Fangcheng , Shi Shaoyun , Xu Zhiguo
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we firstly establish infinitely many conservation laws of the 3-coupled integrable lattice equations by using the Riccati method. Comparing with the results obtained by Sahadevan and Balakrishnan, we not only get infinite conserved densities of the polynomial form, but also some conserved densities of logarithmic form. Secondly, Darboux transformation for the system is derived with the help of the Lax pair and gauge transformation. Finally, we obtain the exact solutions of the system with the obtained Darboux transformation, and present the soliton solutions and their figures with properly parameters.
Existence and Stability of Stationary States of a Reaction–Diffusion-Advection Model for Two Competing Species
Authors: Ma Li , Tang De
Published: May 2020

It is well known that the research of two species in the Lotka–Volterra competition system could create very interesting dynamics. In our paper, we investigate the global dynamical behavior of a classic Lotka–Volterra competition system by studying the steady states and corresponding stability by mainly employing the methods of monotone dynamical systems theory, Lyapunov–Schmidt reduction and spectral theory and so on. It illustrates that the dynamical behavior substantially relies on certain variable of the maximal growth rate. Furthermore, we obtain that one of the semi-trivial steady state solutions is a global attractor in some special cases. In biology, these results show that both of the species do not coexist and the mutant forces the extinction of resident species under some condition for two similar species system.