Asbestos fiber length and width comparison between manual and semi-automated measurements.

The objective of the present study is to find a fast and accurate procedure to measure the length and width of asbestos fibers using images acquired by a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a phase-contrast microscope (PCM), and a polarized light microscope (PLM). The accuracy of the procedure was evaluated by comparing fiber length and width measurements to manual measurements. Four different types of images were used in the evaluation: (1) backscattered electron SEM images of fibrous tremolite, (2) secondary electron SEM images of fibrous grunerite, (3) PCM images of fibrous grunerite, and (4) PLM images of fibrous grunerite.

LED Area Lighting to Reduce Glare for Roof Bolter Operators.

Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed a light-emitting diode (LED) area luminaire called the Saturn and conducted a laboratory study using a Fletcher High Dual-boom Mast Feed (HDDR) roof bolting machine. The Saturn luminaire was designed to (1) enhance floor illumination to enable better detection of trip hazards in the interior spaces of a roof bolter and (2) reduce glare that has typically been an issue of concern on roof bolters. This paper reports on the results of achieving the second objective.

Performance Comparison of Four Portable FTIR Instruments for Direct-on-Filter Measurement of Respirable Crystalline Silica.

Exposure to dusts containing respirable crystalline silica is a recognized hazard affecting various occupational groups such as miners. Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica can lead to silicosis, which is a potentially fatal lung disease. Currently, miners' exposure to respirable crystalline silica is assessed by collecting filter samples that are sent for laboratory analysis.

Performance Comparison of Real-Time Light Scattering Dust Monitors Across Dust Types and Humidity Levels.

Video techniques for monitoring exposure, such as NIOSH's "Helmet-CAM," employ both real-time dust monitors and mobile video cameras to assess workers' respirable dust exposures. Many real-time personally worn dust monitors utilize light scattering sensing elements, which are subject to measurement biases as a function of dust type (size, composition, shape factor) and environmental conditions such as relative humidity. These biased and inaccurate dust measurements impair the monitor's ability to properly represent actual respirable dust concentrations.

Testing a revised inlet for the personal dust monitor.

A person-wearable dust monitor that provides nearly real-time, mass-based readings of respirable dust was developed for use in underground coal mines. This personal dust monitor (PDM) combined dust sampling instrumentation with a cap lamp (and battery) into one belt-wearable unit, with the air inlet mounted on the cap lamp. However, obsolescence of belt-carried cap lamp and batteries in coal mining ensued and led end users to request that the cap lamp and battery be removed from the PDM.

Evaluating Energy Expenditure Estimated by Wearable Technology During Variable Intensity Activity on Female Collegiate Athletes.

Monitoring an athlete's energy intake and energy expenditure (EE) is an important consideration of nutritional planning for sport conditioning and peak performance. In order to provide appropriate recommendations regarding nutritional requirements and caloric needs, an accurate determination of energy requirements is necessary. By knowing an individual's EE, a coach, athletic performance staff or trainer can effectively determine training loads and volumes necessary for periodization and seasonal planning for a particular sport.

Examining the Feasibility, Tolerability, and Preliminary Efficacy of Repetitive Task-Specific Practice for People With Unilateral Spatial Neglect.

Objective: We examined the feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of repetitive task-specific practice for people with unilateral spatial neglect (USN).

Method: People with USN ≥6 mo poststroke participated in a single-group, repeated-measures study. Attendance, total repetitions, and satisfaction indicated feasibility and pain indicated tolerability.

Physiologic Effects from Using Tight- and Loose-Fitting Powered Air-Purifying Respirators on Inhaled Gases, Peak Pressures, and Inhalation Temperatures During Rest and Exercise.

The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the physiologic stresses of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) used by workers in many industries (e.g., health care, automobile repair, public safety, building trades, etc.

Clear anterior rhinorrhea in the population.

Background: Clear anterior rhinorrhea is commonly observed in older adults and is widely known as "senile rhinorrhea." Although appreciated in the literature, no studies support that clear rhinorrhea increases with age. Our goal was to determine the prevalence of clear rhinorrhea in adults and the variation between young and old.

A study of leakage rates through mine seals in underground coal mines.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducted a study on leakage rates through underground coal mine seals. Leakage rates of coal bed gas into active workings have not been well established. New seal construction standards have exacerbated the knowledge gap in our understanding of how well these seals isolate active workings near a seal line.

The relationship between elemental carbon and diesel particulate matter in underground metal/nonmetal mines in the United States and coal mines in Australia.

In the United States, total carbon (TC) is used as a surrogate for determining diesel particulate matter (DPM) compliance exposures in underground metal/nonmetal mines. Since TC can be affected by interferences and elemental carbon (EC) is not, one method used to estimate the TC concentration is to multiply the EC concentration from the personal sample by a conversion factor to avoid the influence of potential interferences. Since there is no accepted single conversion factor for all metal/nonmetal mines, one is determined every time an exposure sample is taken by collecting an area sample that represents the TC/EC ratio in the miner's breathing zone and is away from potential interferences.

Evaluation of inpatient clinical documentation readiness for ICD-10-CM.

This research study examined the gaps in documentation that occur when coding in ICD-10-CM. More than 4,000 diagnoses from all chapters were coded from 656 electronic documents obtained from a large integrated healthcare facility at the time the study was conducted (2012). After the documents were coded, areas for documentation improvement were identified for chapters that resulted in deficiencies in documentation, and a quick reference guide was developed.

Aerodynamic profiles of women with muscle tension dysphonia/aphonia.

Purpose: In this study, the authors aimed to (a) determine whether phonatory airflows and estimated subglottal pressures (est-Psub) for women with primary muscle tension dysphonia/aphonia (MTD/A) differ from those for healthy speakers; (b) identify different aerodynamic profile patterns within the MTD/A subject group; and (c) determine whether results suggest new understanding of pathogenesis in MTD/A.

Method: Retrospective review of aerodynamic data collected from 90 women at the time of primary MTD/A diagnosis.

Results: Aerodynamic profiles were significantly different for women with MTD/A as compared with healthy speakers.

Problems and accommodation strategies reported by computer users with rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia.

Introduction: Little is known about the problems experienced by and the accommodation strategies used by computer users with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or fibromyalgia (FM). This study (1) describes specific problems and accommodation strategies used by people with RA and FM during computer use; and (2) examines if there were significant differences in the problems and accommodation strategies between the different equipment items for each diagnosis.

Methods: Subjects were recruited from the Arthritis Network Disease Registry.

The comparative effectiveness of combined lumbrical muscle splints and stretches on symptoms and function in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of an intensive lumbrical splint/stretch combination with 3 less intensive lumbrical splint/stretch combinations on carpal tunnel symptoms and function.

Design: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Setting: Outpatient hand therapy clinics.

Outcomes of a multicomponent physical activity program for sedentary, community-dwelling older adults.

This single-group repeated-measures pilot study evaluated the effects of a 10-wk, multicomponent, best-practice exercise program on physical activity, performance of activities of daily living (ADLs), physical performance, and depression in community-dwelling older adults from low-income households (N = 15). Comparison of pretest and posttest scores using a one-tailed paired-samples t test showed improvement (p < .05) for 2 of 3 ADL domains on the Activity Measure-Post Acute Care and for 6 physical-performance measures of the Senior Fitness Test.

Cognitive and physical performance in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis and occlusion demonstrate deficits in cognitive and physical performance. The relationship between cognitive measures and performance of instrumental activities of daily living was examined. Seventy-nine patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis of moderate and severe degrees or occlusion were tested.

Predicted and actual exercise discomfort in middle school children.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use a match-mismatch paradigm to examine children's exercise discomfort during an aerobic shuttle run.

Methods: Thirty-four middle school females (n = 18) and males (n = 16) aged 11-14 yr participated. An Exercise Discomfort Index (EDI) was calculated as a rating of perceived exertion for the overall body (Children's OMNI Scale) x a rating of perceived muscle hurt (Children's OMNI Muscle Hurt Scale).

Problems experienced by people with arthritis when using a computer.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of computer use problems experienced by a sample of people with arthritis, and to determine differences in the magnitude of these problems among people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods: Subjects were recruited from the Arthritis Network Disease Registry and asked to complete a survey, the Computer Problems Survey, which was developed for this study. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the total sample and the 3 diagnostic subgroups.

Clinical predictors of aspiration on radionuclide salivagrams in children.

Objective: To determine patient characteristics and clinical factors that are predictive of positive radionuclide salivagram results.

Design: Retrospective chart review (spanning 32 months).

Setting: Tertiary care children's hospital.

Comparison of Pediatric Voice Outcome Survey, Reflux Symptom Index, Reflux Finding Score, and esophageal biopsy results.

Objective: To examine correlations between the Pediatric Voice Outcome Survey (PVOS) score, the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) score, the Reflux Finding Score (RFS), and esophageal biopsy findings in children undergoing upper aerodigestive tract endoscopy.

Design: Retrospective review of pediatric voice quality-of-life and laryngopharyngeal reflux surveys. Blinded assessment of endoscopic laryngeal images.

A patient-specific in silico model of inflammation and healing tested in acute vocal fold injury.

The development of personalized medicine is a primary objective of the medical community and increasingly also of funding and registration agencies. Modeling is generally perceived as a key enabling tool to target this goal. Agent-Based Models (ABMs) have previously been used to simulate inflammation at various scales up to the whole-organism level.

Efficacy of sinonasal simulator in teaching endoscopic nasal skills.

Objectives/hypothesis: To develop a nasal model (NM) which accurately simulates human texture and anatomy and to study the effect of training with NM on performance of video rigid nasal endoscopy and video flexible laryngoscopy. At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to demonstrate that training with nasal endoscopic simulation enhances efficiency and may improve comfort to the patient.

Study Design: A randomized blinded control trial.

High-frequency sensorineural hearing loss after stapedectomy.

Objective: To describe the pattern and duration of high frequency sensorineural hearing loss after stapedectomy.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.