Last data update: May 13, 2024. (Total: 46773 publications since 2009)
Records 1-6 (of 6 Records) |
Query Trace: Workman S[original query] |
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Implementation of an awareness level training to prepare the workforce for future infectious disease outbreaks
Workman B , Fulk F , Carreón T , Nabors L . Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2024 18 e9 OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for workforce awareness-level training for infectious disease outbreaks. A training program was created and evaluated to provide strategies for emergency preparedness as well as worker health and safety during a disease outbreak. METHODS: Participants (N = 292) completed instructor-led synchronous online training modules between January 2022 and February 2023. Training covered 5 areas: vaccine awareness, infectious disease transmission and prevention, pandemic awareness, and inapparent infections, as well as workplace controls to reduce or remove hazards. Participants completed a survey before and after training to assess knowledge change in the five areas. Chi-square analyses assessed how predictors were related to knowledge change. RESULTS: Overall, an increase in knowledge was observed between pre- (80.9%) and post-training (92.7%). Participants from small businesses, with less work experience, and in non-health care roles were under-informed. Knowledge of disease transmission and prevention improved for non-health care professions and workers with less experience. All participants gained knowledge in identifying and ranking safeguards to protect workers from injuries and illness at job sites. CONCLUSIONS: Training improved employee knowledge about safe work practices and pandemic preparedness. Studies should continue to evaluate the effectiveness of preparedness training to prepare the workforce for infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics. |
Field test of a canopy air curtain on a ramcar for dust control in an underground coal mine
Reed WR , Colinet JF , Klima SS , Mazzella A , Ross G , Workman M , Morson T , Driscoll J . Min Metall Explor 2022 39 (2) 251-261 The canopy air curtain (CAC) has been proven to reduce the respirable dust exposure of roof bolter operators in underground coal mining. This technology is being adapted for use with shuttle cars and ramcars. The plenum is mounted on the underside of the shuttle car canopy over the operator’s position. The blower providing filtered air to the operator is plumbed into the shuttle car’s existing hydraulic system. After the system was installed on a ramcar, field testing of the CAC’s ability to provide respirable dust control was conducted on a section using blowing face ventilation. Results showed that overall respirable dust reductions during the total time the operator was underneath the canopy ranged from 11 to 34%, demonstrating adequate performance. However, further analysis demonstrated that the CAC performance was exceptional when the ramcar was being loaded by the continuous miner. At this location, a position where the shuttle car operator has their highest potential for respirable dust exposure, the CAC provided dust reductions ranging from 57 to 65%. These results, especially during ramcar loading at the CM, demonstrate that the CAC can be an important dust control device to reduce shuttle car and ramcar operators’ exposure to respirable coal mine dust. © 2022, This is a U.S. government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply. |
Pollen potency: the relationship between atmospheric pollen counts and allergen exposure
Tegart LJ , Johnston FH , BorchersArriagada N , Workman A , Dickinson JL , Green BJ , Jones PJ . Aerobiologia 2021 37 (4) 825-841 Pollen allergies are responsible for a considerable global public health burden, and understanding exposure is critical to addressing the health impacts. Atmospheric pollen counts are routinely used as a predictor of risk; however, immune responses are triggered by specific proteins known as allergens, which occur both within and on the surface of the pollen grain. The ratio between atmospheric pollen counts and allergen concentrations (pollen potency) has been shown to be inconsistent, with potentially important implications for pollen monitoring practice. Despite this, there has been no previous synthesis of the literature and our understanding of the factors that influence pollen potency remains poor. We conducted a scoping review with the aim of deriving a current understanding of: (a) the factors that influence pollen potency; (b) its variation through time, between taxa and by location; and (c) the implications for pollen monitoring practice. Our synthesis found that pollen potency is highly variable within and between seasons, and between locations; however, much of this variability remains unexplained and has not been deeply investigated. We found no predictable pollen potency patterns relating to taxon, geography or time, and inconclusive evidence regarding possible driving factors. With respect to human health, the studies in our synthesis generally reported larger associations between atmospheric allergen loads and allergy symptoms than whole pollen counts. This suggests that pollen potency influences public health risk; however, the evidence base remains limited. Further research is needed to better understand both pollen potency variability and its implications for health. 2021, The Author(s). |
Physical activity and health-related quality of life: US adults with and without limitations
Brown DR , Carroll DD , Workman LM , Carlson SA , Brown DW . Qual Life Res 2014 23 (10) 2673-80 PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the dose-response relationship between physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among adults with and without limitations. METHODS: We dichotomized HRQOL as ≥14 unhealthy (physical or mental) days (past 30 days), or <14 unhealthy days. By using a moderate-intensity minute equivalent, PA categories were as follows: inactive, 10-60, 61-149, 150-300, and >300 min/week. Persons with limitations reported having problems that limited their activities or required use of special equipment. Age-adjusted prevalence estimates and logistic regression analyses were performed with 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (n = 357,665), controlling for demographics, BMI, smoking, and heavy alcohol use. RESULTS: For adults without limitations, the odds of ≥14 unhealthy days were lower among adults obtaining any PA (10-60 min/week, AOR = 0.79, 95 % CI 0.70, 0.88), compared with those inactive. A quadratic trend (P < 0.001) indicated enhanced HRQOL with each PA level, but improvements were less marked between lower and upper sufficient PA categories (150-300 and >300 min/week). Because of a significant age interaction, persons with limitations were stratified by age (18-34, 35-64, and 65+ years). Findings for persons aged 35 years or older with limitations were similar to those without limitations. Lower odds of poor HRQOL for persons aged 18-34 years with limitations were associated with recommended levels of PA (150-300 min/week; AOR = 0.61, 95 % CI 0.43, 0.88 and >300 min/week; AOR = 0.58, 95 % CI 0.43, 0.80). CONCLUSIONS: PA is positively associated with HRQOL among persons with and without limitations. |
Rapid detection and differentiation of antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2 using multivalent antigens and magnetic immunochromatography testing (MICT)
Granade TC , Workman S , Wells SK , Holder AN , Owen SM , Pau CP . Clin Vaccine Immunol 2010 17 (6) 1034-9 A simplified lateral flow assay for the detection of antibodies to HIV using magnetic bead conjugates and multi-branched peptides from both HIV-1 and HIV-2 was developed. Magnetic immunochromatography testing (MICT) uses a standard lateral-flow platform that incorporates magnetic bead conjugates for quantitative measurement of the magnetic field distortion associated with the bound magnetic conjugate (reported as adjusted magnetic units, MAR). The results of the optimized MICT assay were compared to standard enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and Western blot (WB) results using a blinded 649-member panel of specimens from the US, Cameroon, and West Africa. The panel was comprised of samples from individuals infected with various HIV-1 subtypes (n=234), HIV-2 (n=65) and HIV-seronegative specimens (n=350). Additionally, thirteen HIV-1 sero-conversion panels (total specimens=85), a worldwide panel containing seven of the major circulating HIV-1 subtypes (n=18), an HIV-2 panel, an HIV-1/HIV-2 mixed panel, and 100 prospective specimens were tested with completely concordant results. Assay reproducibility (observed MAR) for both intra- and inter-run testing was excellent with coefficients of variation <12%. MICT can provide a rapid, low-cost method of determining HIV antibody status requiring no subjective interpretations. |
Rapid detection of HIV-1 p24 antigen using magnetic immuno-chromatography (MICT)
Workman S , Wells SK , Pau CP , Owen SM , Dong XF , LaBorde R , Granade TC . J Virol Methods 2009 160 14-21 Detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections has been enhanced by incorporating p24 antigen detection with current HIV antibody detection using enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). However, screening for HIV antibodies has increased through the use of rapid, lateral-flow HIV antibody detection assays that currently do not have the capability to detect HIV p24 antigen. In this report, a lateral-flow based assay using super-paramagnetic particles as the detection marker was developed for the detection of HIV-1 p24 antigen. This magnetic immuno-chromatographic test (MICT) uses an inexpensive, low-maintenance instrument that detects the magnetic moment of the super-paramagnetic particles in a magnetic field. MICT is simple to perform, provides a numerical output for easier determination of reactive results and can be completed in 40 min. The lower limit of detection for HIV-1 p24 spiked into assay sample buffer and 50% plasma was 30 pg/ml for both. Detection of HIV-1 p24 antigen at 50 pg/ml was reproducible in both inter-run and intra-run assays with coefficients of variation of <13%. Furthermore, the MICT p24 assay was able to detect intact virus spiked into 50% plasma (lower detection limit of [similar to]250,000 viral RNA copies/ml). MICT detection of increasing HIV-1 p24 levels in commercially available seroconversion panels by MICT was only slightly later than that detected by much more complex EIAs. MICT could provide a simple, low-cost, and portable method for rapid HIV-1 p24 detection in a variety of testing environments. |
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