Behind the Great wall : the story of the C.E.Z.M.S. work and workers in China with numerous illustrations

http://www.archive.org/details/behindthegreatw00barnuoft/

Possible Exotic Phases in the One-Dimensional Extended Hubbard Model

We investigate numerically the ground state phase diagram of the one-dimensional extended Hubbard model, including an on--site interaction U and a nearest--neighbor interaction V. We focus on the ground state phases of the model in the V >> U region, where previous studies have suggested the possibility of dominant superconducting pairing fluctuations before the system phase separates at a critical value V=V_PS. Using quantum Monte Carlo methods on lattices much larger than in previous Lanczos diagonalization studies, we determine the boundary of phase separation, the Luttinger Liquid correlation exponent K_rho, and other correlation functions in this region. We find that phase separation occurs for V significantly smaller than previously reported. In addition, for negative U, we find that a uniform state re-enters from phase separation as the electron density is increased towards half filling. For V < V_PS, our results show that superconducting fluctuations are not dominant. The system behaves asymptotically as a Luttinger Liquid with K_rho < 1, but we also find strong low-energy (but gapped) charge-density fluctuations at a momentum not expected for a standard Luttinger Liquid.

Workers' compensation in the United States: high costs, low benefits

Studies suggest that income replacement is low for many workers with serious occupational injuries and illnesses. This review discusses three areas that hold promise for raising benefits to workers while reducing workers' compensation costs to employers: improving safety, containing medical costs, and reducing litigation. In theory, workers' compensation increases the costs to employers of injuries and so provides incentives to improve safety. Yet, taken as a whole, research does not provide convincing evidence that workers' compensation reduces injury rates. Moreover, unlike safety and health regulation, workers' compensation focuses the attention of employers on individual workers. High costs may lead employers to discourage claims and litigate when claims are filed. Controlling medical costs can reduce workers' compensation costs. Most studies, however, have focused on costs and have not addressed the effectiveness of medical care or patient satisfaction. Research also has shown that workers' compensation systems can reduce the need for litigation. Without litigation, benefits can be delivered more quickly and at lower costs.

Cancer mortality in IBM endicott plant workers, 1969-2001: An update on a NY production plant

BACKGROUND: In response to concerns expressed by workers at a public meeting, we analyzed the mortality experience of workers who were employed at the IBM plant in Endicott, New York and died between 1969-2001. An epidemiologic feasibility assessment indicated potential worker exposure to several known and suspected carcinogens at this plant. METHODS: We used the mortality and work history files produced under a court order and used in a previous mortality analysis. Using publicly available data for the state of New York as a standard of comparison, we conducted proportional cancer mortality (PCMR) analysis. RESULTS: The results showed significantly increased mortality due to melanoma (PCMR = 367; 95% CI: 119, 856) and lymphoma (PCMR = 220; 95% CI: 101, 419) in males and modestly increased mortality due to kidney cancer (PCMR = 165; 95% CI: 45, 421) and brain cancer (PCMR = 190; 95% CI: 52, 485) in males and breast cancer (PCMR = 126; 95% CI: 34, 321) in females. CONCLUSION: These results are similar to results from a previous IBM mortality study and support the need for a full cohort mortality analysis such as the one being planned by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.