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Introduction Pleural mesothelioma constitutes about 80% of all mesotheliomas. The peak incidence of malignant mesothelioma estimated using the cancer registries was in early 1990 to 2000 in the United States. The disease is primarily associated with asbestos exposure. The latency period between asbestos exposure and the development of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) can range anywhere from 15 to 60 years. Asbestos exposure was peaked during the industrial revolution and World War II due to military and shipyard exposures. It is often difficult for the pathologist to distinguish different histological subtypes; due to the disease's rarity and the inadequate tissue sample obtained. There is no available data on the difference in epidemiology of different subtypes of MPM. Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER), cancer incidence data include population-based registries covering approximately 34.6% of the U.S. population. Here in our study, we analyze malignant pleural mesothelioma epidemiology in the United States, emphasizing different histological subtypes. Methods SEER data from 2000 to 2016 was used in our study. The primary site of cancer is selected as pleura, and malignant behavior only is selected as the filter. Data were analyzed using the SEER stat program. Overall epidemiology of MPM and epidemiology of epithelioid, fibrous, and biphasic histological subtypes were analyzed separately. We used annual percentage change (APC) to evaluate the trend in the epidemiology of MPM. Results summary A total of 11,857 cases of MPM were included in the primary cohort from the SEER 18 registry from 2000 to 2016. The total prevalence of MPM was highest in 2009 and was lowest in 2016. The APC in MPM incidence during this period is -2.0. After removing 5,989 cases with non-specified histology during the same period, the APC for each histological type is -0.7 for fibrous type, 1.8 for epithelioid type, and 2.9 for biphasic type. Out of 17 regional registries included in the study, the greatest statistically significant change in APC was seen in the Hawaiian registry -4.1. In contrast, the lowest statistically significant difference was seen in Seattle (Puget Sound) registry -1.7. The APC in the incidence of MPM among males during the study period was -2.4 while that of females was -0.9. The Iowa registry showed a statistically significant increase in APC of the epithelioid malignant mesothelioma with a statistically insignificant reduction in the overall MPM APC. Conclusion The overall incidence of MPM in the United States is declining, while the data showed an increase in the incidence of epithelioid and biphasic histological subtypes. The authors believe that these conflicting results can be attributed to improved histological diagnosis and improved biopsy techniques.

This study of ATR-IR involved taking spectra of various silicate minerals in powder samples, finding similarities and differences in nature, and locating various bands and intensities of absorption bands for identification and classification purposes. This study is limited to 4000-300 cm-1 with major emphasis on absorptions in the 2000-300 cm-1 region.

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No description available.

"October 2008" / Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Division of Society, Culture, Media and Philosophy, Dept. of Sociology 2009. / Bibliography: leaves 273-293. / Introduction -- Patterns of corporate activity as patterns of corporate dominance: legal, organisational, and economic features of corporations -- Representations of corporate dominance in insidious injuries -- The legal basis of corporate dominance: History of the corporation -- Legal individualism and corporate personhood -- Theories of the corporation -- The legal regulation of corporations - corporate liability laws -- Conclusion. / Corporations are no longer simply a type of business structure; they are dominant social institutions. As institutions, corporations are archetypes of contemporary complex social organisation and should, therefore, be a central concern for sociology. Yet with few notable exceptions, sociologists have failed to address their increasingly dominant position in contemporary societies. In this thesis I argue the importance of a renewed sociological interest in corporations. This must acknowledge, but go beyond, the political-economic outcomes of corporations to address the profound consequences of the legal foundations of the corporate form. Corporations are created and regulated by legal doctrine; it is only with a legal mandate that corporations are able to act as employers, suppliers and investors. On this basis, I claim that any understanding of corporate dominance and its effects must commence with an appreciation of the laws that enable the corporation to exist and operate. -- While contributing significantly to wealth creation, corporate dominance also increases the potential for harm to occur to individuals and communities who fall within a corporation's scope. The contemporary proliferation of industrial illnesses is a prime example of this and is examined through a case study of the operations of an Australian asbestos corporation, James Hardie. This case study is timely and unique in its specification of the link between corporate activity and law in contemporary society. -- I argue that corporate activity such as that in the case study is enhanced and legitimated by the legal description of the corporation that assigns to it the capacities of a human individual through corporate legal personhood. Corporate personhood is examined as an example of the legal individualism endorsed in liberal common law countries. By exploring accounts of corporate structure, decision-making and work processes, I explain how the individualised description of the corporation is at odds with its collective realities; the largest and most successful corporations are collectives of human and monetary resources. -- In light of this, I question the extent to which the effective regulation of corporations can be achieved within existing legal frameworks. Building upon research into workplace health and safety in the United Kingdom, the regulation of workplace deaths in Australia is examined to demonstrate the various approaches to regulating corporations and to identify their shortcomings. This is a striking example of the problems law faces in regulating corporations by virtue of its individualistic design. -- The thesis concludes with an affirmation that sociology needs to grapple with issues of corporate activity and that an understanding of the legal basis of the corporation is the foundation of such studies. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / 295 leaves

As telhas de cimento-amianto são utilizadas mundialmente nas construções comerciais, residenciais e industriais. O amianto foi a primeira aplicação de fibra natural em escala industrial. Esta fibra foi incorporada na forma do mineral (asbesto) como reforço de matrizes à base do cimento. O processo de fabricação de telhas de cimento-amianto mais utilizado mundialmente foi patenteado em 1900 por Ludwig Hatschek, recebendo o mesmo nome. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a melhoria do processo industrial (Hatschek) de fabricação de telha de cimento-amianto, com o uso de métodos estatísticos. Inicialmente as variáveis mais influentes no processo foram identificadas empregando-se o teste de correlação de Pearson e o Cp de Mallows que permitiu a escolha do melhor subconjunto da regressão (R², R²ajustado, Cp de Mallows e o desvio padrão do modelo). A seleção dessas variáveis permitiu a construção de modelos de regressão para o processo, para as respostas resistência mecânica e densidade da telha. Devido à análise de duas respostas, foi realizada uma otimização numérica por meio da função desejabilidade (desirability function), que é baseada na idéia de que a qualidade de um produto ou processo que tem múltiplas respostas depende de encontrar as variações do processo que atendem a todas as restrições impostas, sejam elas econômicas ou normas aplicáveis ao produto final. Com o resultado da otimização estabeleceram-se faixas de variação das variáveis mais influentes, que permitissem a operação do processo sob controle. Também, pode ser concluído que para a densidade de ambas as telhas (5 mm e 6 mm) encontraram-se modelos coerentes para serem usados mesmo após alguma modificação na máquina, enquanto que para a resistência os parâmetros dos modelos devem ser reajustados sempre que houver alguma modificação durante a parada da máquina. / Roofing tiles of the asbestos cement composites are used world-wide in the commercial, residential and industrial constructions. Asbestos was the first natural fiber application in industrial scale. This fiber was incorporated into the cimentitious matrices to overcome this weakness. The manufacturing process of asbestos-cement tiles most commonly used worldwide was patented in 1900 by Ludwig Hatschek, which gave his own name to this procedure. Considering that, this study aimed to improve the manufacturing process of roofing tiles of the asbestos cement composites, using several statistical methods. Firstly, the most influent variables were identified using the Pearson Correlation test and the Mallows Cp test, which provided the choice of the best subsets regression (R ², R ² adjusted, Mallows Cp and the standard deviation of this empirical model). The selection of these variables allowed the construction of regression models for the mechanical resistance and tile density responses. In order to fulfill the requirement of an appropriate analysis for two responses, a numerical optimization by means of desirability function was applied. This optimization is based on the premise that a product quality or process having multiple responses depends on finding all the variations that fulfill the imposed constraints. Even if these constraints were economic or norms applied to the final product. The optimization results established ranges of variation including the most influents variables, i.e., the ones that allow the process to run under control. Also, we conclude that for the density of both tiles (5 mm and 6 mm) were found consistent models to be used even after some eventual change in machine. For the resistance, however, the parameters of the models must be readjusted whenever it has some modification during the shutdown of the machine.

Asbestos é um termo geral usado comercialmente para descrever minerais fibrosos de silicato. A fibra mais utilizada até hoje é denominada crisotila, com uso considerado seguro. Embora, fragmentos menores podem permanecer por longo tempo em tecidos pulmonares. As fibras de crisotila, assim como as demais fibras de asbestos, possuem sílica na sua composição e podem ser fagocitadas com a participação de receptores scavenger. Este trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo de mecanismos de interação e de internalização das pequenas fibras de crisotila em duas linhagens celulares. Uma análise por microscopia confocal de varredura a laser e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão foi realizada e observou-se que ambas as linhagens são capazes de internalizar fibras, que apresentavam livres ou envoltas pela membrana plasmática. A presença de elementos do citoesqueleto próximos às fibras de crisotila foi verificada, assim como alterações no nível de expressão de alguns desses elementos. Dentro deste contexto, a participação de receptores no processo de internalização de fibras de crisotila também foi estudada e verificamos que esses receptores podem estar envolvidos de alguma forma com o processo de internalização de fibras de crisotila. / Asbestos is a term used commercially to describe silicate minerals. Chrysotile is the most used fiber until today and it is considered safe. However, smaller fragments can be found in lung tissues for a long period of time. Chrysotile fibers, as other asbestos fibers, are composed by silica and may be phagocyted with the participation of scavenger receptors. This studys goal was to study the interaction an internalization mechanisms of small chrysotile fibers in two cell lineages. Confocal laser scan microscopy analysis and electronic microscopy transmission analysis were conducted in both lineages, that showed capable of internalize fibers, that were involved or not by cell membrane. Cytoeskeleton elements presence near the fibers was verified and there were also changes in expression levels these elements. In this context, the participation of scavenger receptors in the internalization process of chrysotile fibers was also studied, and we verified that these receptors may be associated to the internalization process of chrysotile fibers.

Entre 2003 et 2005, un programme de dépistage des maladies liées à l’amiante a été mis en place dans quatre régions françaises, constituant ensuite la cohorte ARDCO (Asbesto related Diseases Cohort). La cohorte ARDCO a été suivie entre 2007-2009 (étude ARDCO I) et entre 2011-2012 (étude ARDCO II). Cette thèse a été réalisée dans le cadre de l’étude ARDCO II et trois études ont été réalisées. Dans notre population d’étude, nous avons montré une amélioration de certaines connaissances sur le risque lié à l’amiante et au tabac par le biais d’une notice d’information. La prévalence globale des symptômes d’anxiété probable et de dépression probable a été respectivement estimée à 19,7% (n=435) et 9,9% (n=219). Les femmes présentaient significativement plus de symptômes anxieux et dépressifs que les hommes (respectivement 34,8% contre 19% et 18,5% contre 9,5%). Le risque de développer les symptômes anxieux et dépressifs était significativement associé à l’auto-évaluation de l’exposition à l’amiante, la perception du risque lié à l’amiante ainsi qu’à l’autoperception du risque de développer des pathologies liées à l’amiante. Une troisième étude a montré que les personnes présentant des symptômes d’anxiété probable ou de dépression probable utilisaient le plus souvent les stratégies de coping dites « maladaptatives » ; et que l’utilisation des stratégies de coping dépendait plus de la présence des symptômes anxieux ou dépressifs que de l’exposition à l’amiante. / A large-scale screening program for asbestos-related diseases was organised in four regions of France between October 2003 and December 2005. Asbestos Related Diseases Cohort was constituted and participants were followed up between 2007 and 2009 (ARDCO I study) and between 2011 and 2012 (ARDCO II study). This thesis was made from ARDCO II study and three studies have been conducted. Among the study participants, we found an improvement in knowledge about tobacco and asbestos-risk perception related to an information leaflet. The prevalence of symptoms of probable anxiety and depression was 19.7% (n=435) and 9.9% (n=219) respectively. Women had significantly more anxious and depressive symptoms than men (34.8 vs 19% and 18.5 vs 9.5, respectively). The risk of developing anxious and depressive symptoms was significantly associated to the intensity of asbestos-exposure self-evaluated and to the asbestos-risk perception. The participants with symptoms of probable anxiety or depression more frequently used “maladaptive” coping strategies and the use of the coping strategies depended specially of anxious and depressive symptoms rather than asbestos exposure.

Introdução Trata-se de um estudo descritivo das sentenças de segunda instância do Poder Judiciário que envolva o problema do trabalhador exposto ao risco do amianto como uma questão de saúde pública. Objetivo Avaliar as decisões judiciais a respeito da exposição dos trabalhadores ao risco do amianto como causa de doença do trabalho a partir da análise de acórdãos judiciais de 1999 até 2009. Métodos Os objetivos foram alcançados mediante pesquisa em acórdãos judiciais publicados no TRT (Tribunal Regional do Trabalho) da 2ª Região, TRT (Tribunal Regional do Trabalho) da 15ª Região e TST (Tribunal Superior do Trabalho), que são tribunais pertencentes à Justiça do Trabalho, bem como no TJSP (Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo), STJ (Superior Tribunal de Justiça) e STF (Supremo Tribunal Federal), pertencentes à Justiça Comum, a partir do momento histórico em que houve a promulgação da Constituição Federal de 1988, considerando-se o ano da publicação ou do registro dos acórdãos de 1999 a 2009. Os acórdãos foram selecionados por meio da internet nos sites dos Tribunais em referência, que disponibilizam a busca on line. Resultados Os resultados indicam que de um total de 119 decisões judiciais analisadas, considerando-se todos os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, apenas em 42 casos houve a comprovação do nexo de causalidade entre a exposição do trabalhador ao risco do amianto e a doença adquirida no trabalho, o que evidencia que o trabalhador desincumbiuse de seu ônus probatório em pequena parte dos acórdãos. Conclusões Pela avaliação dos acórdãos judiciais de 1999 até 2009 a respeito da exposição dos trabalhadores ao risco do amianto como causa de acidente do trabalho, doença profissional ou morte, somente em 35,3 por cento das decisões foram declarados procedentes os pedidos dos trabalhadores / Introduction - This is a descriptive study of Judiciary second appeal decisions involving the problem of the risk of workers when exposed to asbestos as a public health issue. Objective - To evaluate judicial decisions regarding the exposure of workers to the risk of asbestos as a cause of occupational disease from the analysis of Judicial Decisions from 1999 to 2009. Methods - The objectives have been achieved by researching judicial decisions published by the TRT (Regional Court of Labor) of the 2nd Region, by the TRT (Regional Court of Labor) of the 15th Region and by the TST (Superior Labor Court), which are courts of the Labor Justice Department, as well as the ones by the TJSP (Court of Justice of São Paulo), by the STJ (Higher Justice Court) and by the STF (Supreme Federal Court), of the Common Justice, from the historical moment in which the 1988 Constitution was promulgated, considering the year of publication or record of the Judiciary Decisions from 1999 to 2009. The judicial decisions were selected with the use of the internet in the sites of the Courts previously mentioned, which made possible to make this search on line. Results - The results indicate that from a total of 119 judicial decisions, which were analyzed, and also taking in consideration all the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only in 42 cases there was proof of a causal link between the worker\'s risky exposure to asbestos and the disease acquired at work, which shows that the employee is discharged of the evidential burden on a small portion of the decisions. Conclusions - For the evaluation of the judicial decisions from 1999 to 2009 regarding the exposure of workers to the risk of asbestos as a cause of work accidents, and occupational disease or death, only 35.3 per cent of decisions were in favor of the workers claim