Occupational Demands Research Articles

Vocal Fold Steroid Injection for Benign Vocal Lesions in Professional Voice Users

Current treatments for benign vocal lesions consist mainly voice therapy and phonomicrosurgery. However, these options are not always suitable for professional voice users because of their tight performance schedule and limited time for voice rest. This study investigated vocal fold steroid injection (VFSI) as an alternative treatment. Matched case series. We retrospectively enrolled 28 professional voice users (i.e., singers, actors and news anchors) who received VFSI for vocal nodules and polyps in an office setting of a tertiary teaching hospital. Outcomes were evaluated using videolaryngostroboscopy (VLS), the 10-item Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10), maximum phonation time, and acoustic and perceptual analyses before and 1 month after VFSI. Study results were compared with 56 patients of nonprofessional voice users (i.e., routine or high occupational vocal demands), matched in a 1:2 ratio by age, sex, and treatment date. After VFSI, VLS revealed substantial lesion resolution in 82% professional voice users. One professional voice user developed a self-limited vocal fold hematoma after VFSI. VHI-10 scores in the professional group decreased from 21 to 14 points, compared with 23 to 16 points in the non-professional group, demonstrating a significant within-group effect (P < 0.01, GEE) and a nonsignificant between-group effect (P=0.86). Other outcomes also improved significantly after VFSI (P < 0.05), without significant differences between the two groups. VFSI can be an effective and safe alternative treatment for professional voice users with benign vocal lesions.

The Pro-cyclical Unemployment Gender Gap: A Household Occupational Portfolio Choice?

An empirical regularity in the US business cycles is that in recessions men's unemployment rate rises faster than women. This stylized-fact raises both empirical and theoretical questions. The notion of such distinctive pattern in the data is addressed with another regularity through an expenditure lens: can the relative volatility of consumption expenditures on non-durable goods, durable goods, and services inform about the corresponding occupational labor demand? And what if occupational demand meets a gender segregated occupational supply? By mapping a gender-colored occupational index into the three aggregate types of real personal consumption expenditures, we are able to show a correspondence between gender unemployment dynamics and consumption volatility. As for the cause, we develop a model that shows that gender differences in risk-aversion can lead to labor segregation based on occupational economic risk, which , in turn is realized in terms of the likelihood of unemployment spells. We look at the time series data of consumption expenditure as well as different gender- decomposition of labor market variables provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the United States for the period 2000-2019.

Dietary Supplement Use in US Army Personnel: A Mixed-Methods, Survey and Focus-Group Study Examining Decision Making and Factors Associated With Use

BackgroundDietary supplement (DS) use by Army personnel is high and is a safety and readiness issue. ObjectiveOur aim was to examine factors motivating use of DSs among US Army personnel and preferred safety education strategies. DesignThis mixed-method study used a validated DS questionnaire and subsequent focus groups that were formed based on questionnaire-identified demographic characteristics. An embedded qualitative dominant design was used. Participants/settingData were collected from April to July 2015 from active duty soldiers at 3 military installations in the United States. Main outcome measuresA self-report questionnaire (n = 289) provided data on demographic characteristics, health, exercise, detailed use, and attitudes regarding DS safety and efficacy. Fourteen focus-group sessions (n = 129) examined factors motivating DS use, education strategies, and identified themes and DS-related behaviors. Statistical analysis performedDescriptive statistics and χ2 analyses were conducted. ResultsOf the soldiers who completed questionnaires, 83% were male, 60% were enlisted, and 40% were officers; mean age ± standard deviation was 27.6 ± 0.36 years and 75% used at least 1 type of DS per week: 52% used protein/amino acids, 47% used multivitamins/minerals, and 35% used a combination of products. Focus groups indicated reasons for use included physical appearance, fitness, peer endorsement, ease of access, limited availability of healthy food, occupational demands, and health. Participants requested education from an expert on safe use that was not focused on dangerous products. ConclusionsSoldiers are high DS users, especially products marked for purported performance enhancement. Motivating factors for DS use are fitness/appearance and occupational demands, but soldiers lack knowledge of DS regulatory requirements and safety/efficacy. Soldiers wished to receive education on DSs from trusted health care professionals, such as registered dietitian nutritionists, that was not focused on dangerous products. Study findings suggest guidance and education should occur before periods of high DS use, such as deployment.

Trade in information technologies and changes in the demand for occupations

I use data from the World Input-Output Database and show that trade in information technologies (IT) has a significant contribution to the growth in foreign intermediate goods in the 2001–2014 period. China has strongly contributed to the rise in trade in IT and has become one of the major foreign suppliers of IT. I merge these data with the EU KLEMS database and EU Labour Force Survey and obtain a dataset of 12 European countries and 2001–2007 period. I show that IT imports from China are associated with lower IT prices in European countries. The fall in IT prices has increased the demand for high wage occupations and reduced the demand for medium wage occupations. Nearly 25% of the variation in the demand for occupations can be attributed to the trade with China.

School-based programme to address childhood myopia in Singapore.

Myopia is a complex, multifactorial condition influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Singapore has one of the world's highest myopia rates. The National Myopia Prevention Programme was started in 2001 with the goal of delaying the onset and progression of myopia through public education and vision screening. Public education targeting children, youth and key stakeholders (parents and teachers) focused on increasing awareness of myopia and its complications, and good eye care habits. Regular school-based vision screening for early detection/management and monitoring of myopia prevalence found that from 2004 to 2015, myopia prevalence decreased from 37.7% to 31.6% among primary school students (p < 0.05). The decrease was the greatest between 2004 and 2007, from 37.7% to 32.3%, and was more stable thereafter at 31.6%-33.7%. Since age of onset and duration of progression are the most important predictors of high myopia in later childhood, it is encouraging that myopia prevalence has decreased among primary students.

Muscle mass and aerobic capacity in older women: Impact of regular exercise at middle age

The impact of regular exercise habits at middle-age on muscle mass and function at old age remains inconclusive. While regular exercise likely represents a primary source of health-enhancing physical activity (PA), the physical demand of occupation needs to be considered. Additionally, PA level at old age should be taken into account in order to elucidate true associations between past exercise behaviors and muscle mass and function at old age. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the impact of regular exercise habits during middle age years on muscle mass and physical function at old age, while considering occupation and objectively assessed PA level at old age. Self-reported leisure-time PA during middle age years [35-65years] and present accelerometer-derived PA level were assessed in a population of community-dwelling older women (65-70years; n=112). Participants who accumulated at least 600 MET-min of PA per week during middle age years were classified as physically active. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), aerobic fitness and maximal isometric arm and leg strength were determined. Analyses of differences in muscle mass and physical function between physically active and inactive at middle age were adjusted by present PA, adiposity level, and the physical demand of former occupation (sedentary vs manual). Participants accumulating at least 600 MET-min of exercise-related activities during middle-age years had higher aerobic fitness (P<0.01) and SMI (P<0.05) at old age compared to their less active peers. Notably, these beneficial impacts were driven by exercise habits during late middle-age period [50 to 65years], and remained significant after further adjustment by the physical demand of former occupation and present PA behavior at old age. Finally, middle-age engagement in exercise-related activities had no influence on maximal arm and leg isometric strength at old age. Our findings highlight the importance of engaging in regular PA of at least moderate intensity during middle age years in order to promote benefits at the level of muscle mass and aerobic fitness. This clearly supports the potential of PA in delaying aerobic capacity impairment and the occurrence of clinically manifest sarcopenia at old age.

Fit for Fire: A 10-Week Low-Cost HIFT Experiential Learning Initiative between Underrepresented Kinesiology Undergraduates and Hypertensive Deconditioned Firefighters Improves Their Health and Fitness

The aims of this study were to investigate the feasibility of an experiential learning initiative led by minority exercise science undergraduates and to observe the adaptations after a 10-week high-intensity functional training (HIFT) program in 34 underrepresented, hypertensive, and overweight/obese professional firefighters (PFF; age: 36.8 ± 11.0 years, body weight: 97.3 ± 21.5 kg, height: 181.7 ± 6.6 cm; BMI: 29.2 ± 4.9 kg/m2). Data were analyzed for muscular strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition, agility, flexibility, and readiness for change. The PFFs trained two to three times weekly during their work shifts at vigorous intensity for 40 min. Their resting diastolic blood pressure and resting heart rate significantly decreased. Improvements in agility, muscular strength, and readiness for change were observed. This HIFT experiential learning initiative was feasible and beneficial and improved the PFFs’ health and physical fitness with limited resources. Accredited programs in exercise science participating in low-cost initiatives may aid in mitigating public service workers’ compensation and injury rates to better respond to occupational demands.

Interaction between occupational physical burdens and low job control on musculoskeletal pain: Analysis of the 5th Korean Working Environment Survey.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the interactive impacts between occupational physical burdens and psychological job demand or control on musculoskeletal pain (MSP) using nationally representative data for Korean workers.MethodsUsing 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), we explored the interaction between occupational physical burdens and levels of psychological job demand or control on risk of MSP in 49 572 eligible participants. For quantitative evaluation of the interaction, relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was calculated.ResultsIn a group with low job control and at least one occupational physical burden, odds ratio (OR) for neck and upper extremity pain was 2.44 (95% CI, 2.24‐2.66) compared with a group with high job control and no physical burden (a reference group: lowest risk), which was the highest value among the four groups, and the RERI was 0.35 (95% CI, 0.19‐0.51). Similarly, OR for lower extremity pain was 2.15 (95% CI, 1.95‐2.37) and RERI was 0.26 (95% CI, 0.07‐0.45). However, the RERI was not significant in the case of psychological job demand.ConclusionThis study revealed significant interactions between occupational physical burdens and low job control on MSP.

Trade in Information Technologies and Changes in the Demand for Occupations

I use data from the World Input-Output Database and show that trade in information technologies (IT) has a significant contribution to the growth in foreign intermediate goods in the 2001-2014 period. China has strongly contributed to the rise in trade in IT and has become one of the major foreign suppliers of IT. I merge these data with the EU KLEMS database and EU Labour Force Survey and obtain a dataset of 12 European countries and 2001-2007 period. I show that IT imports from China are associated with lower IT prices in European countries. The fall in IT prices has increased the demand for high wage occupations and reduced the demand for medium wage occupations. Nearly 25 percent of the variation in the demand for occupations can be attributed to the trade with China.

Exploration of Vocational University English Teaching Reform Oriented by Occupational Demand

English is the compulsory public basic course for higher vocational education, which cultivates students' basic ability to use English in a workplace environment. The English teaching of vocational colleges is oriented to occupational demand, breaking the traditional teaching system concept, and deeply comprehending the direction of teaching reform in the new era. Aiming at the problems of "teaching content and occupational demand are out of touch, practical teaching links are only formal, lack of effective integration with ideological and political education, traditional teaching models are facing new challenges" and other problems in English teaching, the occupational demand-oriented English teaching reform measures are proposed: strive for a high degree of compatibility between English teaching content and occupational demand, carry out occupational demand-oriented English teaching evaluation, implement hierarchical teaching according to students' English level and occupational demand, carry out English self-learning to improve matching with occupational demand, and develop English practical teaching based on the integration of production and education.

NaI cubic detector full-energy peak efficiency, including coincidence and self-absorption corrections for rectangular sources using analytical method

Low activities of radionuclides in environmental and occupational samples demand for the lower detection limits of the measuring system, which can be achieved by minimizing the source-to-detector distance. Analytical technique to calculate full-energy peak efficiency and total efficiency, self-absorption of sources and a coincidence factor of the NaI cubic scintillation detector with rectangular cavity for rectangular source have been derived. The photon path length of the volumetric sources calculated and determined source self-absorption. The photon attention by rectangular sources and detector cap materials is also calculated. In the experiments gamma aqueous source containing Eu-152 radionuclide covering range from 121 to 1408 keV was used. By comparison analytical method for calculating the full energy peak efficiency and the corrected experimental efficiency values are in good a agreement.

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AT THE COMPANY: GENDER FACTOR

The paper analyses the impact of gender on the effectiveness of a company's human resource management. The authors analysed the gender structure of labour resources and the women proportion in the high management. The author summarised the scientific background on the influence of gender on decision-making and the company's efficiency. Legislative acts on normative legal provision concerning equality of rights of men and women are systematised, the chronology of their adoption is determined. The distribution of countries by gender inheritance is analysed. At the national level, it is determined that the growth of women's employment positively affects GDP growth. Based on the Global Gender Gap Index, it has been found that the differences in the professional competencies of men and women have been declining in recent decades. The business practice shows that the women in the top management increase loyalty and trust in the company. At the same time, the findings confirmed the increasing number of women in jobs related to data analysis, human resources and sales, and, conversely, declining demand for occupations that contain routine tasks and are rapidly being replaced by technological advances. The study identified and analysed the causes and factors that hinder or support the advancement of women on the career ladder. As a result of comparing the data on the number of men and women in management positions in European countries, it was found that Ukraine ranks second in the proportion of women among managers. There is a tendency to increase the number of companies founded by women, and the reduction of the gender gap is observed in the largest cities of Ukraine. By types of economic activity, a list of industries has been formed where women have managed to achieve high-performance business indicators. The positive tendencies of connection between the indicators of companies operating and gender balance revealed in the research determine the necessity to consider in the company's strategy.

Environmental Policy and Heterogeneous Labor Market Effects: Evidence from Europe

In this paper, we use a data-driven approach to predict the of ISCO occupations based on their corresponding skills. With this information, we can investigate the relationship between environmental regulations and occupation-level employment in the manufacturing sector of 19 European countries for the period 1992-2010. Our empirical results highlight heterogeneous occupational employment changes in response to an increase in environmental policy stringency. More specically, we nd a decrease in labor demand for occupations with relatively low green potential and an increase for occupations with relatively high green potential. Thus, at least in the short term, greening the economy may create winners and losers across occupations and countries.

COVID 19: are South African junior doctors prepared for critical care management outside the intensive care unit?

Introductionthe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively impacted countries across the globe. Infected individuals will seek aid at various health care facilities. Many patients will recover without requiring specialised treatment. A significant percentage of infected individuals will need critical care management, which will begin in the emergency department, generally staffed by junior doctors. Junior doctors will need to stabilize, triage and manage these patients prior to referral to specialized units. Above and beyond the usual occupational demands that accompany junior doctors in state facilities, this pandemic will thrust further responsibility on them. The objectives were to describe crisis preparedness of junior doctors in the areas of triage decision-making and critical care management, outside the intensive care unit.Methodsthis is a descriptive, cross-sectional study, utilizing a web-based survey. Junior doctors in South Africa, being doctors in year one or year two of internship and community service, were invited to participate anonymously via various social media platforms. Results: a total of 210 junior doctors across South Africa answered the survey. Junior doctors expressed confidence with knowledge of intubation drugs, to perform intubation and cardiopulmonary arrest resuscitation without supervision. Only 13.3% of respondents expressed comfort with setting and adjusting ventilator settings independently. 57% of participants expressed discomfort with making critical care triage decisions. Ninety-three percent (93%) of participants expressed benefit from a telemedicine intervention.Conclusionjunior doctors in South Africa indicate that they are prepared to initiate management of the critically ill patient outside the intensive care unit but remain uncertain in their ability to provide ongoing critical care management. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to prepare junior doctors with the ability to manage critical care triage and management in emergency rooms. Leveraging of the workforce in South Africa may be potentiated by telemedicine interventions.

Reducing environmental impacts of feed using multiobjective formulation: What benefits at the farm gate for pig and broiler production?

Feed production is the main contributor to several environmental impacts of livestock. To decrease environmental impacts of feed, those of feedstuffs should be considered during formulation. In particular, multiobjective feed formulation (MOF) can help reduce several environmental impacts simultaneously while keeping any increase in feed price moderate. The objective of this study was to assess environmental benefits of MOF at the farm gate for fattening pigs and broilers. For pigs, three feeding strategies were tested: classic 2-phase (2P), 2-phase with lower net energy content (2P−), and multiphase (MP). For broilers, two strategies were tested: classic 3-phase (3P) and 3-phase with higher digestible amino acid contents and lower metabolisable energy content (3P+). Diets were formulated using both least-cost formulation (LCF) and MOF, yielding six pig scenarios and four broiler scenarios. Environmental impacts at the farm gate were estimated using a modelling approach based on life cycle assessment. Indicators for six impact categories were then calculated: climate change (CC), cumulative non-renewable energy demand (CEDNR), acidification (AC), eutrophication (EU), land occupation (LO), and phosphorus demand (PD). As expected, MOF had lower farm-gate impacts than LCF (as much as −13%), but the degree of decrease varied by feeding strategy and impact. For pigs, MOF was equally effective in all strategies at reducing PD (−6 to −9%) and AC (−2%). In contrast, MOF was more effective in 2P and 2P− at decreasing CC (−5% to −7%), LO (−9% to −13%) and EU (−6% to −8%) than in MP (CC: −2%; LO: −4%; EU: −3%). The benefit of MOF was found greater in 2P (−7%) than in other pig strategies for CEDNR (−3 to +0%). For broilers, MOF was equally effective in both strategies tested at decreasing PD (−12%), AC (−2%), and EU (−4%). For CC and CEDNR, MOF was more effective in 3P (CC: −9%; CEDNR: −11%) than 3P+ (−6% for both impacts), but not for LO (+3% in 3P vs −1% in 3P+). These differences were due mainly to differences in animal performance (especially feed conversion ratio) among the strategies tested. Finally, in all scenarios, gross margin at the farm gate decreased with MOF comparatively to LCF (pigs: −3% to −11%); broilers: −7% to −11%). These results demonstrate the importance of comprehensive economic and environmental optimisation of feeding strategies by simultaneously considering feed impacts, animal performance, and manure management. To do so, further research is therefore required to develop new modelling tools.

COVID-19, labor demand, and government responses: evidence from job posting data.

Using high-frequency job advertisement data, this paper evaluates dynamics among COVID-19, labor market, and government policies. We find that COVID-19 has caused a significant decline in labor demand, by as much as 30%, measured by the number of job advertisements. But the pandemic did not result in noticeable changes in advertised wages. Regarding the roles of government policies, the study finds that the “stay-at-home” measures implemented by states appeared to suppress labor demand. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) program helps to stabilize the advertised wages, but also suppresses labor demand. Finally, the pandemic may increase labor demand for certain healthcare-related occupations.

INFLUENCE OF LIMB DOMINANCE AND SHOULDER INJURY ON STRENGTH AND EXPLOSIVE FORCE IN US MARINES.

The specialized roles of many military personnel require specific skills and high physical demands, placing unique stresses on the shoulders and increasing risk of injury. As normal dominant/nondominant shoulder asymmetries have been established in military personnel, bilateral strength comparisons must be understood in context of daily physical demands to monitor patients' progress or readiness to return to duty. This study aims to assess bilateral differences in strength and explosive force in United States Marines with a history of dominant or nondominant shoulder pathology. Cross-Sectional. A total of 52 full-duty, male US Marines with a shoulder injury within the prior year participated. Bilateral isokinetic shoulder internal (IR) and external (ER) rotation strength, and peak force (Peak Force) and average rate of force production (Avg Rate) during an explosive push-up were collected. Dominant versus nondominant side data were independently examined within each group (DOM: dominant injury, NOND: nondominant injury). Comparison between DOM and NOND, as well as previously published CON (no history of shoulder injury) was also completed. NOND (n = 26) demonstrated significantly less IR (p < 0.001) and ER (p = 0.003) strength and Peak Force (p = 0.001) and Avg Rate (p = 0.047) on the injured side, while DOM (n = 26) demonstrated no bilateral differences in strength or push-up performance. Comparison between the three groups showed that NOND demonstrated significantly less ER strength than CON (p = 0.022). Military personnel demonstrate asymmetric strength patterns likely due to increased demand of the dominant shoulder. US Marines with a history of injury to the nondominant shoulder performed differently than those with a dominant side injury, presenting with both strength and push-up asymmetries. They also demonstrated significant ER strength deficits compared to CON. Common clinical practice and previous literature often compare injured and uninjured limbs or injured individuals to healthy controls, but further distinction of dominant or nondominant side may provide more accurate information needed to develop targeted treatment strategies. Recognizing unique occupational demands and how patients may present differently with dominant versus nondominant side shoulder injuries are important considerations for ensuring accurate assessment and effective individualized rehabilitation. 3.

Return to Work After Distal Femoral Varus Osteotomy.

Background:Distal femoral varus osteotomy (DFVO) is a well-described procedure to address valgus deformity of the knee. There is a paucity of information available regarding patients’ ability to return to work (RTW) after DFVO.Purpose:To report the objective findings for RTW rates and times for patients receiving a DFVO for lateral compartment osteoarthritis secondary to valgus deformity of the knee.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:This was a retrospective study of patients who received a lateral-wedge opening DFVO. Patients must have worked within 3 years before their operation to be included for analysis. Patients were contacted at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively for interview and questionnaire evaluation, including a subjective work questionnaire, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (SANE), and a satisfaction questionnaire.Results:Overall, 32 patients were contacted at a mean follow-up of 7.1 ± 4.1 years (range, 2.2-13.3 years). The mean ± SD age at the time of surgery was 30.8 ± 8.8 years (range, 17.2-46.5 years), and 65.6% of patients were female. Eleven patients (34.4%) received a concomitant meniscal allograft transplant, and 12 (37.5%) received a cartilage grafting procedure. The average VAS pain score decreased significantly from 6.1 preoperatively to 3.2 postoperatively (P = .03). All patients were able to RTW, at a mean time of 6.0 ± 13.2 months postoperatively (range, 0-72 months). When stratified by work intensity, the average time to return was 13.8, 3.1, 2.7, and 2.9 months for high, moderate, light, and sedentary occupations, respectively. There was no significant difference between these RTW times (P = .16), although this analysis may have been limited by the small sample size. Four patients whose work was classified as heavy work (50%) and 3 whose work was classified as moderate work (18.8%) either switched jobs or kept the same job with lighter physical duties as a result of their procedures.Conclusion:In a young and active population, DFVO for valgus deformity reliably afforded the ability to RTW within a relatively short time for patients with sedentary, light, and moderate occupational demands. However, patients with moderate- to high-intensity occupational demands may be unable to RTW at their preoperative level.

Study Regarding the Physical Training in Firefighters’ Obstacle Course

Abstract Firefighting occupation demands physical and psychological training required in emergency situations. The investigation started in March 2018, with a initial test, and finished in September 2018, with a final test, at the Emergency Situation Unit from Sibiu. The sample of the experiment was formed by 10 firefighters that participate in the emergency team of Sibiu at the specific firefighters’ competitions, with age between 30± 3.5 years old with experience in this kind of competitions between 2 and 7 years. The methods used in our investigation was preponderant experimental with specific testing for firefighters, the data obtained was analyzed using statistical specificity test. The result of our experiment highlighted the progress that every firefighter had, registering a progress of 2.12 second from the initial test 23.48 to the final test 21.36, being statistically significant difference calculated with the t Student test p = 0.00006. The conclusions of our research showed that using a specific program for developing motor qualities and kinematic analyze, we can improve firefighter’s performance and also reduce time of emergency interventions.

Making Choices from the Choices we have: The Contextual-Embeddedness of Occupational Choice.

"Choice" is central to occupational therapy's theoretical tradition, which maintains that individuals can impact their well-being through wisely choosing their occupations. However, the assumption that opportunities to choose are universally available is negated by research evidence. To review the ideology of "choice" in occupational therapy theory, and to encourage more critical approaches toward determinants of occupational opportunity and choice. Evidence indicates that within Canada, and throughout the world, opportunities to make occupational choices are inequitably distributed among people of different socioeconomic classes, castes, genders, races, abilities, sexualities, citizenship statuses, and experiences of colonialism. Because occupation is a determinant of health and well-being, social injustices that create inequitable occupational choices are unfair violations of occupational rights. The occupational therapy profession's espoused aim of enhancing well-being through occupation demands theories that explicitly recognize the socially structured and inequitable shaping of choice, and consequent impact on people's occupational rights.