Methods for the effective regulation of workplace safety have been the subject of continuing controversy. One possible method is the targeting of high injury rate establishments, labeled THIRE. This article evaluates the PAR program of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, which employs a THIREstrategy to regulate safety in stone, sand, and gravel mines. The results suggest that the program may have been effective in reducing the number of injuries in this sector of the mining industry.
Abstract: Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic immunological disease characterized by hair loss on the scalp and/or body. Medical treatments are frequently ineffective, leaving many individuals with little hope for hair regrowth. Despite high rates of psychological turmoil experienced by people living with AA, little consideration is given to the unique impact of the condition and the potential benefits of coping approaches. Aims: The purpose of this study was to establish a foundation of strategies for coping with AA as recommended by people currently living with the diagnosis. Method: An international sample of 190 participants shared perspectives on types of strategies they believe would be useful for living with AA. A qualitative content analysis approach was used to code and group participant responses. Results: Frequently identified strategies included various forms of social support and strategies for social navigation, perspective-shifting, cosmetic strategies and procedures, and accessing medical and psychological interventions. Limitations: Participants were limited to a largely female convenience sample. The findings were not associated with real-life outcomes, only anecdotal recommendations. Conclusion: The findings of the present study further support prior research yet offer unique perspectives as well.
Abstract. Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is among the most common immunological conditions. Although AA is considered to be a medically benign condition, those living with AA often report comorbid psychiatric conditions, high levels of functional impairment, and diminished quality of life. These consequences are largely due to the unique psychological turmoil associated with the condition. Unfortunately, little research has considered how to improve quality of life outcomes for this group. Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how the PERMA framework of well-being is associated with the individual subjective experience of AA. A greater understanding of how PERMA applies to this group holds promise for assisting clinicians with devising psychosocial coping strategies for this population. Method: 274 individuals were recruited for participation. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between the PERMA variables and AA-related (a) subjective symptoms (e.g., self-consciousness, sadness) and (b) relationship impact (e.g., perceived attractiveness). Each analysis controlled for demographic and condition-specific variables. Results: Demographic and PERMA variables were found to be significantly associated with positive experiences of each quality of life outcome. Limitations: The male to female ratio of participants was biased toward females. Furthermore, the nature of cross-sectional survey research has inherent limitations. Conclusion: The findings provide support for a relationship between PERMA variables and quality of life outcomes among people with AA. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.
We present a comprehensive relative sea-level (RSL) database for north, central, and south-central Chile (18.5 degrees S - 43.6 degrees S) using a consistent, systematic, and internationally comparable approach. Despite its latitudinal extent, this coastline has received little rigorous or systematic attention and details of its RSL history remain largely unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, we re-evaluate the geological context and age of previously published sea-level indicators, providing 78 index points and 84 marine or terrestrial limiting points spanning from 11 ka to the present day. Many data points were originally collected for research in other fields and have not previously been examined for the information they provide on sea-level change. Additionally, we describe new sea-level data from four sites located between the Gulf of Arauco and Valdivia. By compiling RSL histories for 11 different regions, we summarise current knowledge of Chilean RSL. These histories indicate mid Holocene sea levels above present in all regions, but at highly contrasting elevations from similar to 30 m to <5 m. We compare the spatiotemporal distribution of sea-level data points with a suite of glacial isostatic adjustment models and place first-order constraints on the influence of tectonic processes over 10(3)-10(4) year timescales. While seven regions indicate uplift rates <1 m ka(-1), the remaining regions may experience substantially higher rates. In addition to enabling discussion of the factors driving sea-level change, our compilation provides a resource to assist attempts to understand the distribution of archaeological, palaeoclimatic, and palaeoseismic evidence in the coastal zone and highlights directions for future sea-level research in Chile. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. ; European Union/Durham University (COFUND under the DIFeREns 2 scheme); Millennium Nucleus CYCLO "The Seismic Cycle Along Subduction Zones" - Millennium Scientific Initiative (ICM) of the Chilean Government [NC160025]; FONDECYT (Chile)Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT)CONICYT FONDECYT [1190258]; US National Science Foundation (NSF)National Science Foundation (NSF) [EAR-1566253, EAR-1624795, EAR-1624533]; National Geographic Society (US)National Geographic Society [8577-08]; NSFNational Science Foundation (NSF) [EAR-1036057, EAR-1145170, EAR1624542]; Deutsche Forschungsgemeindschaft GrantGerman Research Foundation (DFG) [JA 2860/1-1]; International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) project [639] ; Published version ; EG undertook this work while in receipt of funding from the European Union/Durham University (COFUND under the DIFeREns 2 scheme). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Millennium Nucleus CYCLO "The Seismic Cycle Along Subduction Zones" funded by the Millennium Scientific Initiative (ICM) of the Chilean Government Grant Number NC160025. Additional support for MC and DM was provided by FONDECYT (Chile), project No 1190258. TD was supported by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) awards EAR-1566253, EAR-1624795, and EAR-1624533. LE was supported by National Geographic Society (US) Research Grant 8577-08 and NSF awards EAR-1036057, EAR-1145170, and EAR1624542. JJM was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeindschaft Grant JA 2860/1-1. The authors acknowledge PALSEA (a PAGES/INQUA working group) and HOLSEA (an INQUA project) for useful discussions at the 2019 meeting, Dublin, Ireland. We thank Nicole Khan and Matteo Vacchi for their constructive reviews. This is a contribution to International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) project 639. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. ; Public domain authored by a U.S. government employee
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routine hospital services globally. This study estimated the total number of adult elective operations that would be cancelled worldwide during the 12 weeks of peak disruption due to COVID-19. Methods: A global expert response study was conducted to elicit projections for the proportion of elective surgery that would be cancelled or postponed during the 12 weeks of peak disruption. A Bayesian β-regression model was used to estimate 12-week cancellation rates for 190 countries. Elective surgical case-mix data, stratified by specialty and indication (surgery for cancer versus benign disease), were determined. This case mix was applied to country-level surgical volumes. The 12-week cancellation rates were then applied to these figures to calculate the total number of cancelled operations. Results: The best estimate was that 28 404 603 operations would be cancelled or postponed during the peak 12 weeks of disruption due to COVID-19 (2 367 050 operations per week). Most would be operations for benign disease (90·2 per cent, 25 638 922 of 28 404 603). The overall 12-week cancellation rate would be 72·3 per cent. Globally, 81·7 per cent of operations for benign conditions (25 638 922 of 31 378 062), 37·7 per cent of cancer operations (2 324 070 of 6 162 311) and 25·4 per cent of elective caesarean sections (441 611 of 1 735 483) would be cancelled or postponed. If countries increased their normal surgical volume by 20 per cent after the pandemic, it would take a median of 45 weeks to clear the backlog of operations resulting from COVID-19 disruption. Conclusion: A very large number of operations will be cancelled or postponed owing to disruption caused by COVID-19. Governments should mitigate against this major burden on patients by developing recovery plans and implementing strategies to restore surgical activity safely.