scholarly journals A survey of blasting activity in the United States

1992 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 1416-1433
Author(s):  
Paul G. Richards ◽  
Douglas A. Anderson ◽  
David W. Simpson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Seismic Source ◽  
The United States ◽  
B Value ◽  
Cumulative Distribution ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Private Company ◽  
Chemical Explosions

Abstract Statistical information on chemical explosions is needed in seismology, to evaluate the practical difficulties in identifying this very common type of seismic source from other seismic sources such as small earthquakes and small nuclear explosions. We have obtained data on blasting activity from three different sources: (1) overview information from the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) on the total amount of chemical explosives used in the United States during 1987, with breakdowns into different explosive types, and usage by different states; (2) overview information from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) on the numbers of mines, of different types, in the United States; and (3) detailed information from a private company (Vibra-Tech Engineers, Inc.) on total shot size and size of charge per delay for 20,813 blasts carried out in 1987 at 532 locations. Our procedure has been to extrapolate the detailed information contained in the 1987 Vibra-Tech data for a limited number of states and thus to obtain estimates for the whole country on numbers of shots and their size distribution. The extrapolation is constrained by the data from USBM (numbers of shots, sizes) and the MSHA (locations). Blasting activity does not fluctuate greatly from year to year and 1987 was representative of current practice. We find that about 2.2 million metric tons of chemical explosive are used annually in the continental U.S., principally in mining for coal and metal ores. On a typical work day, there are roughly 30 explosions greater than 50 tons, including about one greater than 200 tons. There was one industrial explosion in 1987 at about 1400 tons. For shots between 1 ton and 100 tons, the cumulative distribution has a b-value near unity; that is, if N is the number of shots (per year) greater than or equal to W tons, N ∝ 10 − b log ⁡ W = W − b with b roughly equal to 1. This result is similar to the size distribution of earthquakes greater than magnitude mb, N ∝ 10 − b m b . Almost all chemical explosions above 1 ton are ripple-fired. The typical shot uses 20 to 50 separate delays.

scholarly journals An Analysis of Contributing Mining Factors in Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Prevalence in the United States Coal Mines, 1986-2018

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Younes Shekarian ◽  
Elham Rahimi ◽  
Naser Shekarian ◽  
Mohammad Rezaee ◽  
Pedram Roghanchi
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Coal Mines ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Western Region ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Underground Coal Mines ◽  
The Western Region ◽  
Coal Workers

Abstract In the United States, an unexpected and severe increase in coal miners’ lung diseases in the late 1990s prompted researchers to investigate the causes of the disease resurgence. This study aims to scrutinize the effects of various mining parameters, including coal rank, mine size, mining method, coal seam height, and geographical location on the prevalence of CWP in surface and underground coal mines. A comprehensive dataset was created using the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Employment and Accident/Injury databases. The information was merged based on the mine ID by utilizing SQL data management software. A total number of 123,643 mine-year observations were included in the statistical analysis. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model was used to conduct a statistical analysis on a total of 29,707, and 32,643 mine-year observations for underground and surface coal mines, respectively. The results of the econometrics approach revealed that coal workers in underground coal mines are at a greater risk of CWP comparing to those of surface coal operations. Furthermore, underground coal mines in the Appalachia and Interior regions are at a higher risk of CWP prevalence than the Western region. Surface coal mines in the Appalachian coal region are more susceptible to CWP than miners in the Western region. The analysis also indicated that coal workers working in smaller mines are more vulnerable to CWP than those in large mine sizes. Furthermore, coal workers in thin-seam underground mine operations are more likely to develop CWP.

scholarly journals Respirable Coal Mine Dust: A Review of Respiratory Deposition, Regulations and Characterization

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 696
Author(s):  
Younes Shekarian ◽  
Elham Rahimi ◽  
Mohammad Rezaee ◽  
Wei-Chung Su ◽  
Pedram Roghanchi
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Lung Diseases ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Exposure Limits ◽  
Mine Dust ◽  
Particle Characteristics ◽  
Respiratory Deposition

In the late 1990s, despite years of efforts to understand and reduce coal worker’s pneumoconiosis (CWP) prevalence from more than 30% in 1970 to less than 4.2%, the level of occurrence among the US coal miners increased unexpectedly. The recent resurgence of lung diseases has raised concerns in the scientific and regulatory communities. In 2014, the United States Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued a new dust rule changing the respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) exposure limits, measurement technology, and sampling protocol. The analysis for probable causes for the substantial increase in the CWP incidence rate is rather complicated. This paper aims to conduct a review of RCMD respiratory deposition, health effects, monitoring, regulations, and particle characteristics. The primary sources of RCMD along with the health risks from potential exposure are highlighted, and the current RCMD exposure regulations of the major coal producer countries are compared. A summary of RCMD characterization studies from 1972 to the present is provided. A review of the literature revealed that numerous factors, including geological and mining parameters, advancements in mining practices, particle characteristics, and monitoring approaches are considered to contribute to the recent resurgence of RCMD lung diseases. However, the root causes of the problem are still unknown. The effectiveness of the new dust rules in the United States will probably take years to be correctly assessed. Therefore, future research is needed to understand the relationship between RCMD particle characteristics and lung deposition, and the efficacy of current monitoring practices to measure the true dose of RCMD exposure.

scholarly journals An analysis of contributing mining factors in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis prevalence in the United States coal mines, 1986–2018

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Younes Shekarian ◽  
Elham Rahimi ◽  
Naser Shekarian ◽  
Mohammad Rezaee ◽  
Pedram Roghanchi
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Coal Mines ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Western Region ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Underground Coal Mines ◽  
The Western Region ◽  
Coal Workers

AbstractIn the United States, an unexpected and severe increase in coal miners’ lung diseases in the late 1990s prompted researchers to investigate the causes of the disease resurgence. This study aims to scrutinize the effects of various mining parameters, including coal rank, mine size, mine operation type, coal seam height, and geographical location on the prevalence of coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) in surface and underground coal mines. A comprehensive dataset was created using the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Employment and Accident/Injury databases. The information was merged based on the mine ID by utilizing SQL data management software. A total number of 123,589 mine-year observations were included in the statistical analysis. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model was used to conduct a statistical analysis on a total of 29,707, and 32,643 mine-year observations for underground and surface coal mines, respectively. The results of the econometrics approach revealed that coal workers in underground coal mines are at a greater risk of CWP comparing to those of surface coal operations. Furthermore, underground coal mines in the Appalachia and Interior regions are at a higher risk of CWP prevalence than the Western region. Surface coal mines in the Appalachian coal region are more likely to CWP development than miners in the Western region. The analysis also indicated that coal workers working in smaller mines are more vulnerable to CWP than those in large mine sizes. Furthermore, coal workers in thin-seam underground mine operations are more likely to develop CWP.

Transformation of the US Veterans Health Administration

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan B. Perlin
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
The United States ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Department Of Veterans Affairs ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
The Us

Ten years ago, it would have been hard to imagine the publication of an issue of a scholarly journal dedicated to applying lessons from the transformation of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Health System to the renewal of other countries' national health systems. Yet, with the recent publication of a dedicated edition of the Canadian journal Healthcare Papers (2005), this actually happened. Veterans Affairs health care also has been similarly lauded this past year in the lay press, being described as ‘the best care anywhere’ in the Washington Monthly, and described as ‘top-notch healthcare’ in US News and World Report's annual health care issue enumerating the ‘Top 100 Hospitals’ in the United States (Longman, 2005; Gearon, 2005).

scholarly journals Implementation evaluation of academic detailing on naloxone prescribing trends at the United States Veterans Health Administration

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 1055-1064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Bounthavong ◽  
Emily Beth Devine ◽  
Melissa L. D. Christopher ◽  
Michael A. Harvey ◽  
David L. Veenstra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
The United States ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Academic Detailing ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Implementation Evaluation ◽  
Prescribing Trends

scholarly journals Nebulizer – In vitro Bioequivalence testing requirements: A review

1970 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-81
Author(s):  
Shubham Prajapati ◽  
Sanjay Saha ◽  
B Shambulingappa ◽  
Dilip Kumar Ch. ◽  
Bikash Sahoo
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Droplet Size Distribution ◽  
The United States ◽  
Drug Substance ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
Metered Dose ◽  
Radiological Health

Generic Nebulized aerosol is often perceived as inferior to their branded counterparts; however, they are safe and effective if they can meet the regulatory requirements. International regulatory agencies have developed recommendations and guidance for bioequivalence approaches of orally inhaled drug products (OIDPs) for local action. The objective of this article is to discuss the approaches can be used for to show bioequivalence requirement for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States of America (USA) with reference product. This review endorsed that inhalation solutions and suspensions undertaken to determine the drug substance delivery rate, total drug substance delivered and Aerodynamic assessment of nebulized aerosols [aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD)/droplet size distribution (DSD)].These are the most important parameters in characterization, evaluation and bioequivalence studies of nebulizers. These devices operate continuously; once loaded and require little or no co-ordination on the part of user they proved that these devices suitable for weak, pediatric or geriatric patients. The regulatory agencies declared that; there is no specific requirements testing in case of nebulizers like Metered dose inhalers (MDI) and Dry powder inhalers (DPIs). In United States of America (USA) regulation falls under the auspices of centre for devices and radiological health (CDRH), and new devices require 510(k) premarket notification. This review outlines all the bioequivalence test parameter.  

Cataract surgery practice patterns in the United States Veterans Health Administration

2012 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 705-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul B. Greenberg ◽  
Annika Havnaer ◽  
Thomas A. Oetting ◽  
Francisco J. Garcia-Ferrer
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Practice Patterns ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
The United States ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration

scholarly journals 1164. County-Level Geographic Distribution of Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporin-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Across Outpatient Settings of the Veterans Health Administration, 2000–2017

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S350-S351
Author(s):  
Michihiko Goto ◽  
Rajeshwari Nair ◽  
Daniel Livorsi ◽  
Marin Schweizer ◽  
Michael Ohl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
The United States ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
County Level ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Geographic Variability ◽  
Extended Spectrum ◽  
Outpatient Settings

Abstract Background Extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance (ESCR) among Enterobacteriaceae has emerged globally over the last two decades, with increased prevalence in the community. Data from European countries and healthcare-associated isolates in the United States have demonstrated substantial geographic variability in the prevalence of ESCR, but community-onset isolates in the United States have been less studied. We aimed to describe geographic distribution and spread of ESCR among outpatient settings across the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) over 18 years. Methods We analyzed a retrospective cohort of all patients who had any positive clinical culture specimen for ESCR Enterobacteriaceae collected in an outpatient setting; ESCR was defined by phenotypic nonsusceptibility to at least one extended-spectrum cephalosporin agent or detection of an extended-spectrum β-lactamase. Patient-level data were grouped by county of residence, and the total number of unique patients who received care within VHA for each county was used as a denominator. We aggregated data by time terciles (2000–2005, 2006–2011, and 2012–2017), and overall and county-level incidence rates were calculated as the number of unique patients in each year with ESCR Enterobacteriaceae per person-year. Results During the study period, there were 1,980,095 positive cultures for Enterobacteriaceae from 870,797 unique patients across outpatient settings of VHA, from a total of 107,404,504 person-years. Among those, 136,185 cultures (6.9%) from 75,500 unique patients (8.7%) were ESCR. The overall incidence rate was 9.0 cases per 10,000 person-years, which increased from 6.3 per 10,000 person-years in 2000 to 14.6 per 10,000 person-years in 2017. County-level incidence rates ranged widely but increased overall (interquartile range [IQR] in 2000–2005: 0–6.7; 2006–2011: 0–9.1; 2012–2017: 3.1–14.3 per 10,000 person-years), with some geographic clustering (figure). Conclusion This study demonstrates that there has been geographic variation both in incidence rates and trends of ESCR Enterobacteriaceae in outpatient settings of VHA, which suggests the importance of tailoring local antibiotic-prescribing guidelines incorporating geographic variability in epidemiology. Disclosures M. Ohl, Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Grant Investigator, Research grant.

Adverse Staff Health Outcomes Associated with Endoscope Reprocessing

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elane Gutterman ◽  
Lindsay Jorgensen ◽  
Amber Mitchell ◽  
Sherry Fua
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Pubmed Database

Abstract There are occupational challenges associated with cleaning, disinfecting, storing, and transporting flexible endoscopes. Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set standards to protect the safety of health workers in the United States, the standards are not specific to endoscope reprocessing, and the general standards that are in place are not fully implemented. Furthermore, adverse staff outcomes may not be fully preventable. To assess the evidence for adverse outcomes in staff associated with endoscope reprocessing, a literature review was performed in the PubMed database for articles on this topic published between Jan. 1, 2007 and March 7, 2012. Eight studies were identified, mainly European, which reported numerous adverse outcomes to healthcare personnel associated with endoscope reprocessing including respiratory ailments and physical discomfort. More scientifically rigorous studies are required to comprehensively describe adverse health outcomes in personnel engaged in reprocessing, particularly in the United States, and examine whether increased automation of the reprocessing process leads to decreased adverse health outcomes for staff.

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