New Light on Another Spiegel Affair

This article estimates lost work days and lost work day equivalents in a population sample of migraineurs, differentiating work loss due to headache episodes that met criteria for migraine from migrainous headaches not meeting full criteria and nonmigrainous headaches. A random digit dialing survey of 5,071 adults identified 800 subjects with migraine headaches. By clinical examination, a subsample of 225 met migraine diagnostic criteria; 174 of these patients completed at least 11 weeks of daily diaries. This report concerns the subgroup of 122 individuals with regular paid employment. Subjects completed a daily diary over a 3-month period to assess the occurrence of headaches and International Headache Society (IHS) criteria for each headache occurrence. We report estimates of lost work days and lost work day equivalents by type of headache. Participants reported headaches on 8.1 work days, of which 2.2 headache days met criteria for migraine (IHS 1.1, 1.2), and an additional 2.1 headache days were migrainous without meeting full migraine criteria (IHS 1.7). On average, migraineurs missed 1.1 days of work due to headache in 3 months, of which 0.7 lost work days were due to migraine and 0.3 were due to migrainous headaches. When at work with headache, work effectiveness was reduced 41% for migraine headaches, 28% for migrainous headaches, and 24% for other headaches. Over 3 months, migraineurs experienced an average of 3.0 lost work day equivalents, of which 1.4 were due to migraine and an additional 0.7 were due to migrainous headaches. The most disabled 20% of the participants accounted for 77% of the lost work days; 40% of subjects accounted for 75% of the lost work day equivalents. Employed migraine sufferers experienced considerable work loss and reduced work performance due to headache. The most severely affected migraineurs accounted for most of the reduced work performance. Targeting the most severely affected persons may be necessary to reduce work loss among migraineurs substantially.

We discussed the criterion for usefully comparing an irreversible cycle with a reversible one. Grounded on entropy generation, a new definition of lost work is proposed, which cannot be determined by the usual cycle diagrams, contrary to what has been found in the literature. To better understand the lost work concept and its role in entropy generation, we presented two irreversible cycles, which also instructively reveal that heat and lost work are the two sides of the same coin, this coin being the entropy generation. This study, addressing issues that are virtually absent from the literature, is expected to be not only relevant from a scientific standpoint but also useful for physics teachers and students with a solid background in thermodynamics.

According to the US National Safety Council (NSC), in 2001 there were 1,537,600 injuries and illnesses reported for all work occupations in America. The National Safety Council estimated that these work injuries and related costs totalled more than US$132bn annually, with an average cost of US$85,848 per injury or illness. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, janitors and cleaners have the fifth highest occupational injury and illnesses rate in the US. In 2001, janitors and cleaners reported 52,600 injuries or illnesses, with more than 38,600 of these injuries requiring time away from work. Custodial accidents and illnesses are costing more than US$4.5bn each year. Custodial costs have a dramatic effect on large organisations. Boeing in Seattle, Washington, and Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, were the focus of a research study conducted by Brigham Young University Facilities Management faculty and students in 2003. A new cleaning approach called OS1 (Operating System One) was developed by ManageMen, a custodial consulting company. Boeing and Sandia implemented the OS1 system over several years. The research compared pre‐OS1 custodial recordable accidents, incidents and lost work days with post‐OS1 implementation accidents, incidents and lost work days. The findings, presented in this paper, show that, with the implementation of OS1, recordable accidents and lost work days were significantly reduced, with some reductions as high as 90 per cent. The study also showed a significant reduction in overall custodial operating costs.

An ecosystem is a complex system in which biotic and abiotic factors interact and influence each other both directly and indirectly. Each of these factors has to comply with a specific function in the different processes that occur inside the ecosystem, whether transporting or transforming energy or both. When anthropogenic emissions are produced, part of the useful energy of the ecosystem is used to assimilate or absorb those emissions, and the energy spent, loses its function and becomes lost work in accordance with the Gouy-Stodola theorem. Thus, the work that an ecosystem can carry out varies as a function of the lost work produced by anthropogenic sources. The permanency or loss of the ecosystem depends on how many irreversibilities it can support. The second law of thermodynamics through a systematic use of the exergy and lost work is the basis of this paper where a general environmental impact index, based on exergy, is proposed. For the purpose of this work, the ecosystem is divided in subsystems—water, soil, atmosphere, organisms and society—all of them inter-related. The ideal work variation can be obtained from each subsystem within the selected ecosystem, and a global index can be determined by adding the partial lost work of each subsystem. This global index is then used to determine the trend followed by the ecosystem from its pristine, original or environmental line base state. This environmental impact index applicability is presented for a simple combustion example.

Objectives. The economic burden of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) is industry specific. The objective was to analyse compensation claims for WMSDs among restaurant workers in France taking into account the type of restaurant. Methods. Data for 2014 were obtained from the French National Health Insurance Fund for Salaried Workers. A chi-square test was used to compare claims, incapacity and lost work day rates in different types of restaurant. Results. Prevalence for WMSDs differed significantly by the type of kitchen: collective restaurant (7.2/1000 workers), traditional restaurant (1.7/1000), and fast food restaurant (1.0/1000). There were more male claimants in traditional restaurant workers (51.0%) than in collective restaurant workers (40.1%) but more female claimants in collective restaurant workers (50.1%) than in traditional restaurant workers (39.4%). Permanent incapacity was significantly more prevalent in collective restaurant workers (49.6%), than in traditional (41.9%) and fast food (8.5%) restaurant workers. In collective restaurant workers, as a percentage, claims, permanent incapacity and lost work days increased with age range or work experience. Conclusions. Prevalence for WMSDs and therefore incapacity and lost work days are different according to the type of restaurant. Preventive strategies should take these differences into consideration.

The objective of this work was to assess the performance of the newly developed Health-Related Productivity Questionniare-Diary (HRPQ-D). Patients completed the HRPQ-D daily for 1-week periods during weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 of a clinical trial for infectious mononucleosis. Productivity data were collected on a daily basis in terms of absenteeism, presenteeism, and combined lost productivity for three work venues (work outside home, housework, and classes/homework). These were then correlated with patient symptom scores. Symptom scores were positively correlated with lost work hours because of absenteeism and combined lost productivity scores. However, negative correlations were observed between symptom scores and the lost work hours due to presenteeism. The HRPQ-D demonstrated good construct validity, making it a useful tool for determining productivity levels across different work venues within clinical trial or survey research applications.

Introduction: Considering the rising development of industries and technology and the resulting rise in workplace accidents and injuries, this study aimed to investigate and analyze the epidemiological events in the steel industry in Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive-analytical investigation conducted to investigate work-related accidents in a steel factory in Iran over a period of 7 years, from 2016 to 2022. In this study, data were collected via documentation and interviews with individuals affected by the accident or those who witnessed it. Subsequently, data analysis was performed utilizing the demographic information of the victims (age, work experience, etc.), accident type, and cause of the accident using SPSS version 22 software. Additionally, the victims’ educational background, work shifts, and the timing of the accident were analyzed. Results: The results indicated that among 7251 workers, 130 accidents occurred over a span of7 years. The results showed that individuals with extensive work experience had the fewest accidents. A significant relationship was observed between lost work days and unsafe practices and conditions (P<0.001), with unsafe conditions exerting a more considerable influence on lost work days due to accidents. Additionally, the greatest harm to individuals resulted from impact with objects. Regarding the timing of the accidents, the highest number of accidents occurred in the fall and during the morning shift. Conclusion: In this study, the highest number of accidents was seen in individuals with under 5 years of work experience who had previously undergone safety training. The primary factors contributing to the accident were hazardous behavior and their interaction with unsafe conditions. Therefore, ongoing basic information and training for workers based on the changing environmental conditions, alongwith routine inspections, can improve safety and reduce unsafe practices in this industry.

Background: Treatment of ovarian cancer often involves expensive, sequential treatments, such as chemotherapy and surgery followed by long-term maintenance therapy. The direct and indirect costs of these treatments may create a significant financial burden and new care needs for patients. Our objective was to characterize financial toxicity and social needs in patients with ovarian cancer seen in a multi-practice health system. Methods: Patients in the University of Pennsylvania gynecologic oncology practices from January 2020 to February 2022 who had a patient portal account (n=6,925) were surveyed twice between March and April 2022, on financial toxicity. Those with ovarian cancer were included in this study. The survey included the 11-item Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) tool and a social needs question, “What service would be of most benefit to you in reducing financial toxicity of your treatment?” Responses were categorized as: very important; important; slightly important; and not at all important. We defined responses of “very important” and “important” as meeting high social need. Chi-squared and z-tests were used to compare differences between patients reporting high (COST< 26) and low (COST ≥26) financial toxicity. Results: 111 of 498 survey respondents identified as having ovarian cancer. The median COST score was 29 (range 6-44). 39% (n=37) had high financial toxicity, and 7% (7) had severe financial toxicity (COST<14). 19%(18) described their ovarian cancer as causing financial hardship to them and their family. 48% (26) of patients with private insurance and 48% (25) of patients under age 65 experienced high financial toxicity. Patients with private insurance were more likely to experience high financial toxicity (p=0.03) compared to patients with Medicare. Younger patients were more likely to experience high financial toxicity (p<0.001). Patients who were unemployed were more likely to experience high financial toxicity than those who were employed (p<0.001). Patients reported assistance with indirect costs of care (e.g., lost work) would be the most helpful in reducing financial toxicity (36%, 38) followed by assistance with out-of-pocket costs (29%, 31); housing and heating costs (27%, 28); and transportation (22%, 23). Conclusions: In a multi-practice survey, 39% of patients with ovarian cancer experienced financial toxicity, and 19% experienced financial hardship due to their cancer. Half of patients under age 65 and half of privately insured patients experienced financial toxicity. Patients identified assistance with direct and indirect costs of care (e.g., lost work, out-of-pocket costs) as the most helpful interventions. Interventions to address social needs and reduce financial toxicity are needed for patients with ovarian cancer. Citation Format: Anna Jo B. Smith, Maya H. Sharma, Kristina Powell, Meredith Doherty, Stefanie N. Hinkle, Emily M. Ko. Financial toxicity and social needs in patients with ovarian cancer: a multi-practice survey [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Ovarian Cancer; 2023 Oct 5-7; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_2):Abstract nr A001.

Contents: Preface Thomas Harriot Lectures 1990-2009 Introduction the many worlds of Thomas Harriot, Robert Fox Thomas Harriot and the great mathematical tradition, Jon V. Pepper Chymicorum in morem: refraction, matter theory, and secrecy in the Harriot-Kepler correspondence, Robert Goulding Reconstructing Thomas Harriot's treatise on equations, Jacqueline Stedall Harriot on combinations, Ian Maclean Thomas Harriot as an English Galileo: the force of shared knowledge in early modern mechanics, Matthias Schemmel Why Thomas Harriot was not the English Galilieo, John Henry Patronizing, publishing, and perishing: Harriot's lost opportunities and his lost work 'Arcticon', Stephen Pumfrey Last act? 1618 and the shaping of Sir Walter Ralegh's reputation, Mark Nicholls Thomas Harriot and the mariner's culture on board a transatlantic ship in 1585, Pascal Brioist Appendices: The 'perfect' Harriot/de Bry: cautionary notes on identifying an authentic copy of the deBry edition of Thomas Hariot's A Brief and True Report (1590), Larry E. Tise Harriot's Latin, Charles Fantazzi The portrait of Thomas Harriot, Diccon Swan A bibliography of secondary sources relating to the work and life of Thomas Harriot, published since 2000, Daniel Jon Mitchell Index.

It is widely accepted that pursuing fertility treatment is a costly endeavor, however, there are limited reports on the indirect costs of pursuing treatment-including the impact on professional careers, and costs of time away from work or home required to pursue fertility care. A 36-question survey was developed in RedCap and distributed to patients at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Fertility Center, following exemption from the IRB. This study included English speaking patients, aged > 18 and < 50years old, undergoing IVF cycles between August 1 and December 31, 2024. Two hundred fifty-one survey invitations were sent through Epic Gateway patient messages with 54 unique responses (22% response rate) after trigger before oocyte retrieval. Self-reported impact of fertility care on professional lives including time away from work, additional financial burden, and workplace privacy. Distance and time spent travelled were calculated through GoogleMaps with cost estimates generated using IRS cost/mile and lost work hours. Forty-seven respondents (90%) reported missing work to attend appointments. Additionally, 31 (60%) patients reported attending appointments affected their privacy at work and 26 (50%) had to disclose the reason for missing work to their employer, of which 14 (54%) would have preferred not to disclose this information. Thirty-four (65%) participants reported missing professional obligations and 27 (52%) reported missing personal obligations to attend appointments. A total of 8 (15%) reported changing work responsibilities to accommodate fertility treatment. When accounting for travel time and potential work hours missed, an average of 260.15min/cycle and an average of $53.63/hour wage this amounts to $232.53 lost work hours/productivity. Total time accounted for an additional "cost" of $544.53 per IVF cycle. This pilot survey highlights the significant indirect costs of pursuing fertility care and identifies time away from work and workplace privacy as two of the two primary drivers. There is a clear need for additional research in the area of the indirect cost of fertility care.

A common of finite-time heat transfer processes between high- and low-temperature sides with a generalized heat transfer law [q ∝ (Δ(Tn ))m] are studied in this paper. The optimal heating and cooling configurations for minimizing lost available work are derived for the fixed initial and final temperatures of the working fluid of the system (low-temperature side). Optimal paths are compared with the common strategies of constant heat flux, constant source (reservoir) temperature and the minimum entropy generation operation by numerical examples. The condition corresponding to the minimum lost available work strategy is that corresponding to a constant rate of lost available work, not only valid for Newton's heat transfer law [q ∝ ΔT] but also valid for the generalized convective heat transfer law [q ∝ (ΔT)m ]. The obtained results are more general and can provide some theoretical guidelines for the designs and operations of practical heat exchangers.

Research on seafarer medical conditions at sea is limited. This study describes the frequency and distribution of seafarer injury and illness at sea, and explores potential risk factors for resultant lost work. The study analyzed a telemedicine database of 3,921 seafarer medical cases between 2008 and 2011 using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. There were over twice as many illness cases (n = 2,764, 70.5%) as injury (n = 1,157, 29.5%) cases. Disability was more often secondary to illness (n = 646, 54.3%), predominantly from gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and respiratory conditions. Logistic regression revealed age, rank, and worksite as potential risk factors for lost work. This study emphasizes illness as a significant problem occurring in seafarers at sea. Future research should further elucidate risk factors for illness, as well as injury, to inform preventive measures and reduce seafarer disability.

A conventional life cycle assessment (LCA) framework mainly evaluates the environmental impacts associated with inputs and outputs from/to external environment of a product system. However the inputs and outputs generated from a facility influence not only the external environment but also the working environment. Therefore, this study developed the methodology that could integrates the working environment into a conventional LCA framework. It established the general requirements for adjusting the levels of the system boundary and category indicators in order to integrate appropriately the impacts of both the working environment and the external environment which have the different characteristics. Thus, this study introduced Input Output Analysis (IOA) technique in order to extend the system boundary to the life cycle of a product system, and applied the category indicator such as the number of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY), the Potentially Affected Fraction (PAF) and Lost Work Days (LWD) in order to assess the impacts of end point level. A case study of a petrochemical company in Korea was provided as an example for illustrating the feasibility of the methodology developed in this study.

Asthma is a heterogeneous, chronic airway disease resulting from inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling as well as abnormal mucus secretions that obstruct airflow. Asthma patients report symptoms of debilitating and unpredictable dyspnea and wheeze that dramatically diminish quality of life and exercise capacity that increase healthcare resource utilization and lost work and school days. Due in part to the limitations of spirometry and despite decades of research, it remains difficult, if not impossible, to identify and measure the pathologies directly responsible for asthma symptoms, response to therapy, and chronic worsening. In vivo imaging offers the potential to measure asthma airway structure and function simultaneously, noninvasively and repeatedly; pulmonary structure-function imaging in particular provides a wide array of applications that have been developed and evaluated in the research setting to support patient phenotyping, treatment decisions, therapy response evaluations, and longitudinal monitoring. However, despite the potential to improve asthma outcomes, medical imaging methods have played very little, if not negligible, role in asthma patient clinical care. To bridge this knowledge and healthcare gap, we summarize the potential for anatomical and functional imaging methods in asthma patients. This chapter focuses on Xe-enhanced dual-energy CT, PET imaging using 18F-FDG glucose, 13NN, and 18F-(±)iNOS, OCT, and a variety of MRI techniques including Fourier decomposition 1H MRI, 4DMRI, and inhaled gas (O2, 19F, 3He, 129Xe) applications. The novel and clinically relevant information pulmonary imaging provides in asthma patients may now be considered in patients to personalize care and improve asthma patient outcomes while decreasing healthcare costs and resource utilization.KeywordsAsthmaFunctional imagingMagnetic resonance imagingVentilationAirwaysBiomarkers

Energy consumption no doubt contributes a lot to the cost of production. To maximize profit, energy loss due to lost work must be minimized during production. Thus in this research, thermodynamic analysis was used to determine the energy efficiency of a propane-propylene splitter. In addition, the thermodynamic analysis was used to identify scope for possible modification and to set target for the column modification. The result indicated that the thermodynamic efficiency of the system was increased by 2.2% and the lost work in the column was reduced by 21.7Kw/hr. This was achieved by sacrificing only 2Kw/hr increase in the column minimum work.