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Claims & Humanity

This course will help employers, risk managers, and claims professionals to develop knowledge, skills, and judgment around human connection that facilitate the ability to work collaboratively for greater outcomes within…




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Social Responsibility & Workers' Compensation: Containing Costs while Making a Positive Community Impact

This course will discuss implementation and utilization of an alternative return-to-work program that offers modified duty at non-profit organizations. Experienced instructors will illustrate the value of a specialized return-to-work program…




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Part 1 of 3-Part Series on Chronicity in WC Understanding Chronicity in TBI and PTSD

This webinar aims to provide workers’ compensation stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the impact of chronicity in chronic pain conditions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress (PTS)…




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The Power of Virtual Reality: Immersive Therapeutics for Chronic Back Pain Management

CBP is a prevalent, complex, and expensive condition that carries a significant health economic burden in the US. For Injured Workers who experience persistent pain, the ability to participate in…




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Part 2 - Chronicity and Comorbidities: Focus on PTSD

This is our second webinar in our 3-part series on chronicity within the workers’ compensation system, which explores the complex relationship between PTSD and its overlapping comorbid conditions. Chronicity adds…




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Panel Rejects Constitutional Challenges to Statutory Construction, Definition of 'Injury'

The Supreme Court of Tennessee’s Special Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel rejected a constitutional challenge to the statutory construction requirements for the state Workers’ Compensation Law and the statutory definition of an…




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Court Denies Widower Benefits for Nursing Home Worker's Death

The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals upheld the denial of a widower’s claim for benefits for a nursing home worker’s death after her COVID-19 infection. Rose Harrison worked for the Marion Regional…




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High Court Denies Additional Treatment, Benefits for Injured Field Engineer

The Wyoming Supreme Court upheld the denial of additional treatment and benefits to a field engineer for her left foot and ankle complaints. Case: Zheng v. Wyoming, No. S-23-0277, 07/19/2024, published. Facts…




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Split Court Rejects Magistrate's Recommendation, Issues Writ Vacating Denial of PTD Award

A divided Ohio appellate court rejected the recommendation of a magistrate and issued a writ of mandate compelling the Industrial Commission to overturn its denial of an injured worker’s claim…




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Worker Not Entitled to Mandamus Relief From Denial of Claim

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that a worker was not entitled to writ relief compelling the Industrial Commission to order his employer to pay for his medical treatments and pay…




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Public University Employee Can't Maintain Tort Suit for Campus Accident

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Court Upholds Denial of Benefits for Cumulative Trauma Claim

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Workplace Safety Regulators Set Training Event

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Court Upholds Calculation of Worker's AWW, Denial of Statutory Multiplier

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Court Upholds Denial of Coverage for Worker's Opioid Medication

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Supreme Court Says Traveling Worker Suffered Compensable Fall While Souvenir Shopping

The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that a traveling worker was entitled to benefits for her injuries from a fall while leaving her hotel to go souvenir shopping. Kimminee Costello worked for…




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Lack of Objective Medical Evidence Results in Summary Denial of TTD Claim

The Montana Workers’ Compensation Court granted summary judgment denying a worker’s request for additional temporary total disability benefits because he failed to offer objective medical findings of his alleged chronic headaches. Case:…




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Court Overturns Denial of Employer's Motion for Costs as Partially Prevailing Party

A Florida appellate court overturned a judge’s decision denying an employer’s motion for costs as a prevailing party on a worker’s claim. Frances Smith worked for the Palm Beach County School…




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CFO Asks Court to Revisit Definition of Heart Disease for Presumptive Claims

Florida's Chief Financial Officer is asking the state's 1st District Court of Appeal to revisit its definition of heart disease under a 2023 decision dealing with presumptive claims by first…




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Employer Should Have Been Granted Continuance After Doctor's Unexpected Change in Opinion

A Florida appellate court ruled that an employer should have been granted a continuance after its medical expert expressed an unforeseen change in opinion shortly before the scheduled hearing on…




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Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Request to Reopen Car Accident Claim

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Industrial Commission Announces New Training Opportunities

The Arizona Industrial Commission announced that it's Medical Resource Office has added training opportunities for providers, payers and third-party administrators. The training course for providers is comprised of four, 30-minute webinars…




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Court Upholds Dismissal of Municipal Employee's Tort Suit Against Employer

A Louisiana appellate court upheld the summary dismissal of a municipal employee’s suit against her employer for her injuries from a fall allegedly caused by the city’s negligence in maintaining…




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Court Upholds Award for Carpal Tunnel, Denies Employer's Request to Take Offset

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Court Overturns Approval for Change in Doctors, Denies Forfeiture Claim

A Louisiana appellate court overturned a judge’s decision approving a worker’s change of physician but upheld the denial of the employer’s request for a forfeiture of benefits. Case: Southern v. Servpro…




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WCC: Amended Rules Allow Electronic Payment

The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission adopted new benefit payment rules after lawmakers permitted the agency to allow electronic payments. The commission on Friday published a statement announcing that the new…




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Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Claim for PTD

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Commission Sets Claims Administration Workshop

The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission is holding a claims administration workshop on Oct. 4. The Claims Administration Made Easy workshop will examine third-party claims, the various filings that must be…




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Supreme Court Reissues Decision Questioning Its Own Precedent

The South Carolina Supreme Court reissued its decision upholding an injured worker’s award but questioned the continued viability of its case law allowing an employer to base its defense on a…




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Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Request to Modify Award

The Kansas Court of Appeals upheld a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board denying a government employee’s request for a modification of her award. Case: Jackson v. Johnson County, No.




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Adults with congenital heart disease faced higher risk of abnormal heart rhythms

Research Highlights: Almost 1 in 5 adults with congenital heart disease living in Israel had or developed an abnormal heart rhythm over five years. Adults with congenital heart disease who developed an irregular heart rhythm in the heart’s upper...




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Personalized screening early in pregnancy may improve preeclampsia detection




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La atención coordinada en niños con síndrome de Down y cardiopatías congénitas reviste gran importancia

Prohibida su divulgación hasta las4:00 a. m., hora del centro / 5:00 a. m., hora del este, del jueves, 12 de septiembre de 2024   DALLAS, 12 de septiembre de 2024 - Según una nueva declaración científica de la American Heart Association (la Asociación...




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Popular home blood pressure monitoring cuff devices may not fit some US adults

Research Highlights: An analysis of at-home blood-pressure monitors estimates that the arm cuffs for 10 of the most popular potentially do not fit up to 18 million adults in the U.S. and nearly 12% of Black adults. To ensure accurate blood pressure ...




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Remote monitoring and pharmacist helped improve hard-to-control blood pressure

Research Highlights: A new study finds that up to 74% of participants with resistant or difficult-to-control high blood pressure, including those with chronic kidney disease, were able to improve control of their blood pressure within 12 months after ...




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New Spanish language stroke prevention website aims to remove barriers to equitable health

DALLAS, September 9, 2024 — While stroke is the fifth-leading overall cause of death in the United States, it disproportionately impacts Hispanic people. It is the third leading cause of death among Hispanic women and the fourth leading cause of death ...




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Heart failure, atrial fibrillation & coronary heart disease linked to cognitive impairment

Statement Highlights: Previous studies have found that 14-81% of patients with heart failure experience some degree of cognitive impairment affecting language, memory or executive function. Evidence also indicates that people with atrial fibrillation...




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Initial prescriptions of sedatives among older stroke survivors may include too many pills

Research Highlights: Within 90 days after having an ischemic (clot-caused) stroke, about 5% of stroke survivors ages 65 and older were prescribed benzodiazepines (depressants that relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, produce sedation and reduce seizures)...




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Free estate planning webinar provides tools for a secure financial future




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Book Review – Serengeti – The Eternal Beginning

I was excited to get the opportunity to review a photography book that wasn't technical in nature. It gave me a chance to read for once and not have to think about the technical merits about the subject material being discussed.

At first I thought it might just be a pure photography book, nothing but pictures and little text. When it arrived I realized that there was a fair amount of story that surrounded the photos. The story about the Serengeti was very interesting and unique and an important part of the book.


Book Title: Serengeti – The Eternal Beginning
Author: Boyd Norton
ISBN: 978-1-55591-593-3
Publisher: Fulcrum Publishing
Hard cover - 265 pages

The Review
One of the first things that struck me about the book was the experience and depth that the author 'Boyd Norton' had with this area of Africa. While its not exactly clear, it appears that he has spent more than 25 years visiting and getting to know this area intimately about the life and its nuances in the Serengeti.

The book is not only about Serengeti as its title suggests but also includes the Maswa Game Reserve, Ngorongoro conservation area, Loliondo Game controlled area and the Masai Mara National Reserve. As with most geographical features, country boundaries do not define its scope.

This geographical area defines the coverage, for the most part of the 'Great Migration' that we are all familiar with. Where thousands upon thousand of larger African animals such as wildebeests are seen to run for thousands of miles in search of food as the weather patterns change. While the predators lie in wait for the dinner train to run by.

The author discusses the parks earliest beginnings when there wasn’t a park but only early explorers and big game hunters. The early problems all countries seem to have when they want to control activities within an area with competing demands from indigenous groups, expanding farming base and other users of the resources.

This is not only a book about the big and small animals that are found here but about the life of the people who have lived here for aeons. It’s interesting to read how the locals, weather patterns and what was a perfect balance of nature all worked together to create a faultless ecosystem. Especially when you think of this place as the dawn of human kind some 3-4 million year ago.

The author’s writings give a life to photos that are not apparent directly from the photos. As an example, he discusses how certain rock outcrops called Gol Kopjes seems to have extra gravity that applies only to the big cats. In that whenever they arrive on these outcrops the local rock gravity immediately pulls them flat on the rock and holds them for hours.

The book covers the Great Migration when it seems most of the life in the Serengeti is on the move and about the carnivores who patiently wait for their turn at the Great Feast or migration as we call it.

The next chapter is about the lions which is a fascinating subculture all unto itself. Who gets to lead, who eats and who gets to live with the group.

The 4th chapter is about Ngorongoro which is the remains of a huge volcano called a caldera, like a giant cauldron. In this crater life is different due to its unique ecosystem.

The next chapter deals with creatures both large and small and how like any balanced system they each depend on each other for survival. From control of foliage to providing food for the predators. If your visit is to only see the big game animals then you are missing so much more about the life in the Serengeti.

The next chapters deal each with the other more famous of the big African animals such as the Rhino, Leopard, Cheetah and Elephant and how they live and communicate. There are personal stories around each encounter with the wilds of Africa and this is what makes this book more exciting than just a lot of photos.

There is Anna who can talk Rhino talk and the perception that they are stupid is really outdated. There are also the Acadia trees who can communicate when the giraffes arrive for dinner.


Recommended Audience

This book doesn’t tell you how to use your camera or take better photographs, which I'm glad as sometimes we just need stories that surround images we are seeing. Inspiration rarely comes from a technical how-to-manual.

I now know that if I were to go on an African photo safari I would not expect or want a 1 or 2 day quick tour and photo-op around the park. The book has conveyed to me that there is just so much more to see and experience that it can only be fully appreciated if you take the time to watch and wait. When there, live in the flow of the Serengeti's life.

If not for yourself then this would make a great gift for any friend who has been talking about going on an excursion to see those big game animals of Africa. A time before man, at least modern man, has had an impact on the natural world.

Link to:
Boyd Norton`s Wilderness Photography website with info on supporting the Serengeti.


I have provided an amazon link for the book, below.


Niels Henriksen


Disclaimer:
Other than receiving a book to review, which will be given away, I did not or will not receive any remunerations, gifts or any considerations for this review from the publisher, author or anyone affiliated with this book.



Update:
Thanks to a comment from Mike I realized that I hadn't fully reviewed the book by also commenting on the photographs within the book.

I found every photo crisp and clear and representative of the its natural environment.

The photos are taken as found and therefore the lighting is natural and not staged. Nor are the images manipulated to give extra punch as I am prone to do. All are color prints with no B&W.

Since most of the animals by nature's design want to blend in with their surrounding there is not always a lot of high contrast, but they all stand out in the photos. The photos are all of the caliber that you would find in the National Geographic magazine.

The front cover image is representative of the quality of images whether they are up close or distant landscapes contained within the book.






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Flickr Update for Niels Henriksen


Just a short note to let my readers know that I have reached 10,000 plus viewers on Flickr.

So a little jump for joy.


While for many this may not be momentous, for all those who have photos on Flickr, it is a step for me in trying to get more exposure for my photographs. While I joined in 2007 I did start to add image until a couple of years ago after my first trip to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico.

F/24 @ 1/6 sec

I like this image because it takes a moment to figure out that this is a person on a bike jumping, flying through the air in a skateboard park.

 F/16 @ 1/250 sec

These photos are 2 examples where controlling the shutter speed is important. In the first photo a slower shutter speed is used to blur action and the other photo a faster shutter speed to freeze it. Do take the time to drop by and view some of my images and do take the time to connect on Flickr so that I can view your photos.

 You can view my photo-stream here .

Niels Henriksen




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Test of Nikon D800e, a DX lens and a Teleconverter

I was fortunate to finally get a Nikon D800e (36 Mpx) after a brief 3 month wait. I didn't, and I also think its the same with Nikon, expect that there would be such a huge demand for this camera. I don't know why Nikon seemed to leap so far ahead with its next generation but I'm grateful. I think there are millions (well a whole bunch anyway) more who also think the same.

This is a full frame camera and a DX lens will work but is cropped due to limited image area. The camera even has mode where it will auto detect a DX lens and crop accordingly. Knowing that there is still a little more image available with the DX crop I decided not to crop and use whatever was available.

Nikon D800e with 70-200mm f2.8 VR. The image on right is actual size of window pane

My favorite DX lens is the 18-200mm f3.5 VR and as I travel around I notice others who like this lens. While it may have some pincushion and barrel distortion, thanks to Photoshop lens correction, this is almost all eliminated.
Nikon D800e with 70-200mm f2.8 VR set to 1.2 crop. The image on right is actual size of window pane. I didn't realize at first that the crop factor also applied to FX lens.

It was while I was performing a resolution test with my D300 and the new D800e by using both the 18-200mm f3.5 VR and the 70-200mm f2.8 VR that I noticed that when full zoomed on the DX lens that vignetting seemed to disappear, but looked like a dime at 18mm.

This excited me more than the current test and therefore I decided to pursue this further.

The 18-200mm is really like a 24-300mm on a DX camera due to the 1.5 crop factor and this range will meet about 90% of my needs. With a 1.4 teleconverter on the FX camera it's now almost the same range as on a DX camera.


The test I performed was hand-held as I didn't need with this test to check for perfect resolution. I stood in front of a large apartment building in the parking lot across the street and remained at the same position while I changed the lens focal length.

In the 1st test, see film strip below, there is significant vignetting in the 18mm and slowly reduces as the focal length is increased. Even at 200mm there is still slight vignetting at the corners.
When the teleconverter was added then magic seemed to appear. At 18mm there is only slight vignetting at the corners and disappears by 24mm. The film strip below shows the changes with teleconverter added.

Now a favorite lens becomes useful on my full frame camera.

Most lens that have such a wide range of focal lens is all about compromises when being designed and built. The same with the 18-200mm f3.5 VR. Photoshop easily handles the barrel distortion. But this lens at the glass edge, maybe more is being used now, also has a fair amount of chromatic appellation. This is also handled well with Photoshop. Since most artistic images don't need to be sharp or well defined at the corners of a photograph then any additional distortion caused by using more lens area is not really a problem with digital-editing.

So when and if you do decide to go full frame one day then your DX glass can be useful with a teleconverter.

The reason this works is because the lens is now further from the sensor and therefore increases in size on sensor chip. Take a magnifying glass and hold it to show an image appearing upside down on a piece of paper. Now move the magnifying glass further away and watch how the image on the paper grows larger. The same happens with a teleconverter attached.


Niels Henriksen




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Any Fans of the Photographic Artwork of Niels Henriksen


That is certainty a self serving title and its fraught with many definitions of term 'fans' but it is also a chance for me to understand something about my readership.
This blog is just a few members shy of 1200 subscribers. I'm very grateful that so many find the photographs and articles enjoyable. There are also those who arrive by way of search engines, but from this total group I wonder how many committed fans of my photography I have.


Taken in San Miguel de Allende

I take many photographs, photo-edit them and then display these on the web just like millions of others do. But as a photographer the biggest pleasure is actually seeing the photo printed on photographic paper and how the texture and tone of the paper support the artistic vision.
But out of the entire collection of photographs I capture per year, only about 5 -10 actually have that extra quality or uniqueness that compels me to print large, frame and mount on a wall for display.

These fine-art photographs, as I describe them, go through a process of printing them on heavy mate papers (approx 300gsm). Depending on the detail and tonal qualities of the photograph I will print smaller versions (8”x10') on a series from 4-8 different papers to determine which paper best suits the image. After several weeks of just looking at them in different light settings I will select a paper for the final version.






In this image I combined 2 photographs to make the composite above as I wanted the boy to appear that he was searching for his princess.


Each of these fine-art prints are printed in a small edition series, currently 5, and then titled, numbered and signed and then made available for sale either through my Art web site ' Niels Henriksen Artworks' and through galleries.

As part of my marketing strategy, periodically (approx 18months), I increase my prices to reflect the larger, albeit still small, demand for my photographic prints.

Prior to this increase in November, I am offering to readers of 'My Camera World' a 25% discount on the current price for a period of 7 days after print is posted on this blog.

Guarantee
All prints purchased from me come with an unconditional full refund guarantee.  If you don't like it for any reason you get a full refund.
This makes purchasing a print from me completely risk free.
Each print comes with with a Certificate of Provenance. See example below






Over the next 2 weeks I will post an article about each of these prints that articulate my vision and story behind the photographs.

I hope that some of you will see a photograph that you enjoy and will sequentially purchase.  I think it's  important as a photographer and artist that we also collect other artists work and if not mine then someones else's. I am starting to have a decent collection of artworks already and will continue to collect new pieces every year.

By collecting several pieces I can then rotate them on the walls in my house and experience the same joy as when they were first hung.

Niels Henriksen




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Former U.S. surgeons general urge Biden administration to act on menthol cigarettes




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In victory for public health, federal appeals court upholds FDA’s graphic cigarette warnings

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a major victory for public health, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has unanimously upheld graphic  health warnings on cigarette packs and advertising required under a 2020 FDA rule. This...




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Administration continues to delay ending sale of menthol cigarettes and all flavored cigars

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La Administración continúa retrasando el fin de la venta de cigarrillos mentolados y puros de todos los sabores

WASHINGTON, D.C., 1 de abril 2024: En diciembre de 2023, la Casa Blanca anunció un retraso en la publicación de las normas definitivas para eliminar el mentol como sabor característico de los cigarrillos y todos los sabores característicos (excepto el ...




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Ruling in the Braidwood Case Continues Uncertainty Over Access to No-Cost Preventive Screenings

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New data show both improvement and concerning trend in youth tobacco use

DALLAS, September 5, 2024 — The American Heart Association, which is celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service as the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health, issued the following statement in response to the 2024...




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Collaboration between leading health organizations aims to improve health outcomes in communities of color

DALLAS, April 27, 2022 – Bank of America, along with leading public health organizations – the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society and the University of Michigan School of Public Health – have ...