Occupational Ability Research Articles

Abstract PO-006: Disparities of COVID outbreak in NYC: A spatio-temporal analysis of SES, comorbidities and race

Abstract One of the most disturbing trends of the COVID-19 pandemic in ethnically diverse countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States (US) is the disproportionate burden of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality borne by non- white, racial and ethnic minorities. This led to a nation-wide call for collection of COVID data by race/ethnicity. While summary data are available now in many states, individual-level data to use in modeling remain elusive. The higher burden of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes among ethnic and racial minorities in the US is believed to explain some of the disparities in COVID-19 mortality, while socioeconomic characteristics including occupational exposure and housing conditions are thought to partially explain higher rates of infection. However, none of these factors fully account for the ethnic and racial disparities that have been observed, indicating the contribution of structural racism to the inequities revealed by COVID-19. Our novel disparities modeling approach has the ability to bring together disparate data sources, to determine the patterns of mixtures of exposures, and can then link these patterns to outcomes. Data on socioeconomic status (SES) and demographics come from the American Community Survey, comorbidities from the CDC 500 Cities data, and COVID-19 data from the GitHub repository of NY Health Department. We utilize latent class mixture models, based on area level SES and demographic data, and determine how the patterns of each contribute to health outcomes. In a hierarchical model framework, we then use spatio-temporal modeling of the clusters of symptoms and SES exposures to model test-positivity in NYC, using publicly available data. These analyses are carried out in MPlus and via the INLA package in R. Latent class SES models have 4 classes, Low and High Advantage and Disadvantage (LAdv, LDis, HAdv, HDis); comorbidities yields 3 classes, Low, Moderate, and High (L, M, H). Lowest SES is associated with non-Hispanic Black (NHB), Hispanic (Hisp), while areas with highest comorbidities associated with higher NHB and age over 65 population densities. A Bayesian random effects Poisson model demonstrates that test positivity is elevated in areas with higher NHB and Hisp population densities, in areas with M to H comorbidities and in areas with lowest SES. These models demonstrate a significant impact of race/ethnicity beyond the SES and comorbidity differences exhibited. This could be due to lack of individual-level information, or due to occupational differences and ability to socially distance not yet fully captured by our modeling. Our hope is that these data can aid in identifying areas of acute need when determining testing and tracing priorities as well as areas to prioritize as a vaccine or other preventative strategies becomes available. Citation Format: Kara McCormack, Alexandra Larsen, Nicholas Bachelder, Victoria Seewaldt, Terry Hyslop. Disparities of COVID outbreak in NYC: A spatio-temporal analysis of SES, comorbidities and race [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-006.

Association between Chronic Pain and Alterations in the Mesolimbic Dopaminergic System

Chronic pain (pain lasting for >3 months) decreases patient quality of life and even occupational abilities. It can be controlled by treatment, but often persists even after management. To properly control pain, its underlying mechanisms must be determined. This review outlines the role of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system in chronic pain. The mesolimbic system, a neural circuit, delivers dopamine from the ventral tegmental area to neural structures such as the nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and amygdala. It controls executive, affective, and motivational functions. Chronic pain patients suffer from low dopamine production and delivery in this system. The volumes of structures constituting the mesolimbic system are known to be decreased in such patients. Studies on administration of dopaminergic drugs to control chronic pain, with a focus on increasing low dopamine levels in the mesolimbic system, show that it is effective in patients with Parkinson’s disease, restless legs syndrome, fibromyalgia, dry mouth syndrome, lumbar radicular pain, and chronic back pain. However, very few studies have confirmed these effects, and dopaminergic drugs are not commonly used to treat the various diseases causing chronic pain. Thus, further studies are required to determine the effectiveness of such treatment for chronic pain.

Supply and demand shocks in the COVID-19 pandemic: an industry and occupation perspective

We provide quantitative predictions of first-order supply and demand shocks for the US economy associated with the COVID-19 pandemic at the level of individual occupations and industries. To analyse the supply shock, we classify industries as essential or non-essential and construct a Remote Labour Index, which measures the ability of different occupations to work from home. Demand shocks are based on a study of the likely effect of a severe influenza epidemic developed by the US Congressional Budget Office. Compared to the pre-COVID period, these shocks would threaten around 20 per cent of the US economy’s GDP, jeopardize 23 per cent of jobs, and reduce total wage income by 16 per cent. At the industry level, sectors such as transport are likely to be output-constrained by demand shocks, while sectors relating to manufacturing, mining, and services are more likely to be constrained by supply shocks. Entertainment, restaurants, and tourism face large supply and demand shocks. At the occupation level, we show that high-wage occupations are relatively immune from adverse supply- and demand-side shocks, while low-wage occupations are much more vulnerable. We should emphasize that our results are only first-order shocks—we expect them to be substantially amplified by feedback effects in the production network.

Cognitive impairment in patients with Neuro-Sjögren.

ObjectiveExtraglandular neurological manifestations of Sjögren’s syndrome are increasingly recognized, defining the disease entity of Neuro‐Sjögren. Neuropsychological assessment of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome has hitherto been performed on predominantly rheumatological cohorts. These studies revealed a wide variety of prevalence rates for cognitive impairment (22–80%), while variable cut‐off criteria for detection of cognitive impairment were applied. Attentional functions have not yet been thoroughly investigated in these patients, although they clearly represent relevant aspects of cognitive functioning in daily life.MethodsWe therefore conducted extensive neuropsychological assessment based on two neuropsychological test batteries [i.e., the extended German version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD‐PLUS), and the test battery for attentional performance (TAP) as a well‐established assessment of attentional functions in the German‐speaking part of Europe].ResultsSixty‐four patients with Neuro‐Sjögren, who were treated at our university hospital between December 2016 and January 2019, were included. Evidence for the presence of cognitive impairment was found in 55% of patients with Neuro‐Sjögren. The degree of cognitive impairment ranged from mild (38%) to severe (17%). Attentional and mnemonic subtests showed pronounced cognitive impairment in patients with Neuro‐Sjögren.InterpretationOur results suggest that a substantial proportion of patients with Neuro‐Sjögren suffer from cognitive impairment, putatively as a corollary of attentional deficits, which might exert adverse effects on occupational abilities, other cognitive functions, and social role functioning.

A Study On Stress Management Among Doctors And Nurses Working In Government Hospitals In Salem And Dharmapuri District

This study aimed to analyze and compare differences in occupational stress, depressive symptoms, work ability and working environment among residents working in various medical specialties. Occupational stress will result in decreasing the efficiency and increasing the occupational hazards inside and outside the work environment.It have been introduced as the most important ones for job stress in nursing is equipment and medicine shortages, lack of standard equipment, inappropriate physical environment of hospital, disease transmission, lack of timely medical attendance, and poor communication with co-workers. In occurrence of emergency situations, conflict with the authorities, work rotation, and frequent change of tasks are among the stressful factors for nurses. Hence, conducting a qualitative study in this regard can help to clarify the stress factors in medical field.

Hospital-Based Ocular Trauma: Factors, Treatment, And Impact Outcome.

BackgroundSpecific morbidities as blindness is a serious complication that commonly results from patients with ocular traumas and can significantly impair the patient’s social and occupational abilities. This study is conducted due to the current lack of data on ocular injuries in developing countries and places near war regions and aims to investigate and evaluate the impact of ocular trauma.Material and methodsAfter Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, we retrospectively identified 112 patients who were admitted due to eye trauma from January 2015 until October 2018. Information about demographics, diagnostic modalities, prognostic impact, and treatment interventions were retrieved, analyzed.ResultsOne-hundred and twelve patients were included in the study. The majority of patients were males. The mean age for patients was 22.2. Road traffic accident (RTA) constituted the most common cause of trauma (60.7%). Gunshots and blast injuries were observed in 12.5% of patients. Workplace injuries were infrequent (8.1%). The gunshot was significantly associated with injury to two or more eyeball structures while the RTA was significantly related to one eyeball structure injury. RTA was associated with intact globe while gunshot was significantly associated with ruptured globes. The mean duration of admission was 8.1 days. Associated truncal injury is the most important independent factor affecting the duration of admission.ConclusionMajority of trauma cases occurred in young males involved in RTAs. The location of Jordan near the Syrian war increases the appearance of gunshot ocular trauma in specific and ocular trauma in general. Educating the public is essential if we wish to prevent eye injuries.

154 Specialised Memory and Attention Rehabilitation Therapy (SMART) Programme

Abstract Background The population of Ireland is ageing and the number of people with dementia in the coming years will be significant and could be as high as 132,000 people by 2041 (Pierce et al 2014). This estimated prediction highlighted the importance and value of developing and implementing interventions that will meet the needs of individuals with dementia and their carers in the community. We identified the need for a cognitive rehabilitation programme in an acute hospital and developed the “Specialised Memory and Attention Rehabilitation Therapy (SMART) Programme”. The aim of the programme is to improve quality of life, cognitive ability and performance of meaningful occupations for individuals with dementia in the community. Methods The SMART programme uses an evidence based approach of education, process training, strategy training and function for delivery to individuals with dementia and their carers. It is a seven week programme with a three month follow up appointment. Weeks one, seven and three month follow up are 1:1 assessments where outcome measures are completed. There is a group intervention programme for five weeks which includes a patient booklet with education sheets, strategy, work and homework sheets as well as functional tasks. Results There was statistically significant results pre and post intervention in the Rivermead Behavioural Memory test, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Functional Independence Measure and the DEMQoL – Dementia quality of life questionnaire. Overall, the results showed statistically significant improvements in memory function, clinically significant gains in terms of perceived functional performance & satisfaction and objective and significant improvements in functional performance. Conclusion The findings have demonstrated potential to significantly improve participants’ cognitive function and have shown functional significant gains as a result both objectively and subjectively. The findings have also demonstrated the feasibility of successfully implementing a cognitive rehabilitation programme on an outpatient basis in an acute hospital setting.

By any other name: portrayals of autism across international film remakes

This study is the first to approach the social theory of disability through film remakes, a technique that permits a novel comparative examination of the construction of autism in different countries. Two American films about characters with autism were compared to their respective Indian Hindi-language remakes by means of a quantitative content analysis. Analysis revealed differences in how disability was constructed across the original films and their remakes, indicating the influence of culture on the construction of disability. Specifically, the Indian remakes depicted characters with autism in more romantic interactions, interactions with children, and with more occupational abilities than the original American films. Religion also featured more in the Indian films in relation to autism. These findings are important because they extend application of social theory to autism, lending insight into the social construction of autism as a disability and, by extension, aiming for the transformation of people with autism.

CLINICAL EVALUATION OF PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WITH RESPECT TO IRON DEFICIENCY

Iron deficiency results in the decreased synthesis of important molecules including iron containing enzymes thereby inducing cellular organic functional disturbances. If not corrected in a timely manner, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) will ensue. The consequences of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) range from impaired psychological and physical well-being and decreased occupational abilities to developmental troubles in children and increased morbidity and mortality in some patient populations. Moreover, iron deficiency is a risk factor in various medical settings because it impedes erythropoietic response to acute and chronic anemia. Hence based on above findings the present study was planned to evaluate the levels of iron in rheumatoid
 The present study was planned in Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna from jan 2018 to june 2018. Group A consist of 30 informed male and female consented patients diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis were enrolled for the study. The group B consist of 30 control patients for comparative evaluation.
 Hence from present study it can be concluded that, there is no known prevention for iron deficiency anaemia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients other than the reduction of contributory factors. Therapy goals are to reduce pain and inflammation and improve quality of life. Surgery to repair, replace or fuse joints may help in serious conditions.
 Keywords: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Iron Deficiency, Heamoglobon, Iron, etc.

201 Anxiety, occupation and functional ability at the start of treatment and EULAR response are the main predictors of work outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis commencing either methotrexate or biologics

201 Anxiety, occupation and functional ability at the start of treatment and EULAR response are the main predictors of work outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis commencing either methotrexate or biologics

게이미피케이션(Gamification)을 적용한 수업의 학습효과 분석 : NCS기반 직업기초능력(의사소통능력)을 중심으로

본 연구는 게이미피케이션을 적용한 수업의 학습효과를 분석하여 학생들의 학업적 자기효능감과 학습 몰입 척도의 변화를 분석하고자 하는 것이다. 이를 위해 게이미피케이션 요소를 교수학습모델을 설계하고 실험집단과 게이미피케이션을 적용하지 않고 수업을 진행한 비교집단 간의 학업적 자기효능감과 학습 몰입 척도의 변화의 차이를 밝히려는데 목적이 있다. 또한 실험집단은 D전문대학에서 실시하고 있는 NCS 직업기초교양 과목인 의사소통능력에 게이미피케이션을 적용하기 위해 다양한 교수학습모델을 적용하였다.BR 전체적으로 게이미피케이션 요소를 적용한 수업은 `수동적 자기효능감의 경우 학습자가 자신의 의사를 표현하는 상황을 두려워하지 않고 표현하는 부분이 비교집단에 비해 높은 결과를 나타내었다. 하위분류인 학습몰입에서의 학습태도에 대한 분석의 경우 유의미한 차이가 있었다. 학습태도는 수업에 참여하는 실험집단의 차이를 보여주기 때문에 실험 결과가 높게 나타난 것이다.BR 본 연구는 게이미피케이션을 적용한 학습효과를 통해 학생들의 학습효과를 상승하는데 보탬이 되고자 한다.

Study on the Status and Countermeasures of Service Ability of General Practitioners in Community

This study tried to carry out a research to learn the current status of urban GPs and the influencing factors so that management strategies are proposed in order to provide guidance for improving the ability of general practitioners and optimizing the quality of community health services. Stratified random cluster sampling was employed to recruit 185 community general practitioners in sample cities among which questionnaires were distributed. Two independent samples t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear stepwise regression were used to analyze the datas. Based on the theoretical framework of the Unity Nations Development Programme (UNDP) capability evaluation, we propose measures and suggestions from the system, organization, and individual levels. The capacity of the 35 community-based general practitioners in the five dimensions of the urban community surveyed in this study (35-175 points), and the total score of the community-based general practitioners in the urban community (128.64) 18.958 points, the scores of each dimension are the basic medical service ability (32.02±5.659) points, the public health service ability (39.42±6.923) points, the humanities occupational ability (19.68±2.799) points, and the professional accomplishment (19.31±2.775) points. Scientific research ability (18.20±3.373) points. The results showed that the general service ability of general practitioners, academic qualifications, income satisfaction, and familiarity are the influencing factors which influence the service ability of general practitioners in urban communities. In the future development of the community general practitioner team, it is necessary to clarify the functional orientation of community general practitioners under the hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system, provide multi-level appropriate community general medical services, and comprehensively consider community general practitioners to improve service capabilities. At the level of demand issues, and then based on this development to solve the problem of countermeasures and suggestions.

The Impact of Built Environment on Crime Prevention and Safety in Schools: An Environmental-Behaviour Design Guidelines Approach

The crime and safety has become one of the most serious social and administrative concrn in schools. School by nature of their occupancy and use require higher standard of safety and secured built environment than another type of buildings. In present context due to increase of accidents and crime in school, as an architect it is the duty to give emphasis on safety and security in terms of planning, building design and detailing and should recognize safety and security as fourth element of architecture. The design of a school and its surrounding campus can play a significant role in preventing crime and facilitating school safety measures. There are many opportunities to enhance school safety and security through physical design features. Architectural features and structural enhancements and spatial definition can deter, detect, and delay potential violent offenders from entering school campuses and buildings. This paper introduces some key concepts that can reduce the risk of harm while also enhancing the ability of school building occupants to avoid or reduce injury and death. This paper also discusses how architectural design could be used to manipulate the environment to influence behaviour for crime prevention. Finally, the paper gives the design guidelines for safe and secure environments in schools against accidents and crime.

Social and material determinants of health in participants in an active labor market program in Barcelona

BackgroundUnemployment affects the physical and mental health of affected individuals, which can be explained by its direct effect on worsening finances due to the lack of income as well as by its negative psychosocial effects. “Employment in the Neighborhoods” return to work program was implemented in Barcelona specifically in the neighborhoods characterized with a greater economic deprivation and by high unemployment to improve personal and occupational abilities and skills of the participants to reintegrate them into the workforce. The aim of this study is to determine the association between the lack of economic resources and psychosocial factors with respect to mental health and self-rated health in unemployed persons participating in the program “Employment in the Neighborhoods”.MethodsCross-sectional study. Data collected from a self-administered questionnaire. Generalized linear models were constructed, adjusted by age and social class, to estimate prevalence ratios and analyze any possible association between economic resources, psychosocial factors and poor self-rated health and mental health.ResultsNine hundred forty-eight persons of 2763 participants in the “Employment in the Neighborhoods” program completed the questionnaire. 46.9% were women. 72.5% of women and 61.9% of men were at risk of poor mental health and 25.5% of women and 21.1% of men reported poor self-rated health. Low self-esteem [women: PR 1.88 95%CI (1.24–2.84); men: PR 2.51 95%CI (1.57–4.02)] and medium social support [2.01 (1.30–3.09)], in men, and low social support [1.74 (1.13–2.68)] in women are associated with worsening of self-rated health. In men, low self-esteem [1.40 (1.19–1.64)] and delay in paying bills [1.38 (1.17–1.64)] were associated with the risk of poor mental health; in women were associated low self-esteem [1.27 (1.11–1.44)] and received a non-contributory allowance [1.37 (1.09–1.74)].ConclusionsEconomic resources, self-esteem and social support are necessary for good general and mental health among unemployed persons. The high prevalence of poor mental health among persons participating in the active labor market program “Employment in the Neighborhoods” could be due to a substantial deficit in these factors.

Inclusive and emancipatory approaches to occupational therapy practice in substance-use contexts.

Occupational therapy practice is enhanced through clear understanding of its epistemological foundations. In the area of substance use, practices are strongly functionalist. This study unearths epistemologies through analyzing practices addressing the social needs of clients with problematic substance use. This study used an exploratory qualitative approach and was based on Marxist philosophies. Qualitative interviews were conducted with nine occupational therapists experienced in working with substance users. Data were analyzed through a dialectic approach to content analysis based on the Marxist theory of labour process. The occupational therapy practices were found to follow common principles: clients are agents of transformation in health processes; creativity is a strong element of practice and underlies the whole therapeutic process; and conditions of social reproduction compose the object of occupational therapy (i.e., what is transformed through occupational therapy practices). Two different approaches using these principles were uncovered according to the labour-process purposes: inclusive and emancipatory. Systematization of practices based on epistemological foundations strengthens occupational therapists' ability to link actions to theories.

理学療法士の職能・職域における課題：協会職能局が取り組む職域課題 ―特に医療保険領域について―

理学療法士の職能・職域における課題：協会職能局が取り組む職域課題 ―特に医療保険領域について―

MicroRNA 675 cooperates PKM2 to aggravate progression of human liver cancer stem cells induced from embryonic stem cells.

Both miR675 and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) contribute to malignant progression of tumor, but its functions in liver cancer stem cells remain unclear. Herein, our findings indicate that miR675 plus PKM2 strongly promotes the growth of liver cancer stem cells. Mechanistically, miR675 plus PKM2 enhances the transcriptional activity of SUV39h2. On the other hand, the excessive SUV39h2 binds to more substrate histone H3, triggering an increase of tri-methylation of histone H3 on the ninth lysine. Furthermore, the tri-methylation of histone 3 on the ninth lysine (H3K9me3)-heterochromatin protein 1 alpha (HP1α) complex is increased when the complex occupancy ability on the C-myc promoter region is raised, recruiting CREB, P300, and RNApolII to the special position that results in C-myc high abundance. Therefore, miR675 plus PKM2 triggered the upregulation of C-myc by increasing the interaction between H3K9me3 and HP1α. Understanding the signaling pathways that miR675 plus PKM2 epigenetically possesses during the malignant transformation of liver cancer stem cells will contribute to more effective liver cancer therapies.

The potential invasiveness of an aquatic macrophyte reflects founder effects from native niche

Biological invasions are important drivers of biodiversity loss. Hence, predicting invasion risks considering the invasion history of a species might help drive meaningful conservation strategies. We investigated the niche dynamics occurring during the invasion of Hydrilla verticillata in North and South America. Because of founder effects, we hypothesised that occupied invaded area niches across North and South American are a subset of the occupied niche in the native range. Moreover, according to the invasion history, we expected that the South American niche is more similar to the North American one than the native niche. We built ecological niche models to predict the potential distribution of hydrilla from native and invaded occurrence records, as well as analysing niche overlap, equivalency, and similarity between the native and two invaded areas. Although the models predicted spatially congruent suitable sites, the ones based on native occurrence records predicted larger geographical ranges for hydrilla across South America than those based on the records of its North American invasions. The environmental conditions the species occupied in both invaded areas are modestly overlapped with the native area (Schoener’s D < 0.6), with native and South American niches showing the highest overlap and significant equivalency. Contrary to our prediction, the invaded North and South American niches presented the smallest niche overlap. Our findings suggest that founder effects triggered deep shifts in hydrilla’s occupation abilities across invaded areas, but do not support successive invasion events. Hydrilla’s Grinnellian niche was maintained throughout the invaded areas, and its potential invasion across South America is massive, regardless of its origin.

A Method to Link Advances in Artificial Intelligence to Occupational Abilities

Prior episodes of automation have led to economic growth and also to many changes in the workplace. We expect the same from artificial intelligence (AI). The link between AI and labor is complex, however. To assist researcher and policymakers, we provide a method that links advances in AI to occupational abilities, and then aggregates from these abilities to the occupation level. We demonstrate the method by estimating which occupational descriptions have changed the most due to advances in AI between 2010 and 2015, and check our estimates using the Bureau of Labor Statistics scheduled update to occupational descriptions in 2016.

The Effect of Occupational Ability on the Quality of Employment of the Deafs

The Effect of Occupational Ability on the Quality of Employment of the Deafs