Factors influencing the use of hearing protection devices in Irish mine workers

Background: Workers who are exposed to high levels of noise should consider wearing HPDs when elimination of noise cannot be put in place. There are several factors including health and safety management systems, peers and policy that could influence workers to either use or not use HPDs. Objectives: To determine worker’s perception of noise risk in a mining setting and to determine if there is an association between organisational rules, knowledge, and the wearing of Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs). Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted at a mining setting in Ireland in which 116 workers participated; a self-administered questionnaire survey was used. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and binary regression analysis. Results: The study had a response rate of 94% of the entire population. The mean exposure to noise levels that require HPDs is 5.32 hours. The results showed an association between using HPDs and organisation rules; and no association between preventing abnormal hearing, perceived influences in the workplace, knowledge and information. Conclusion: Factors that can influence workers likelihood to wear HPDs are organisation rules; this is unaffected by the influence of colleagues. Each company should have a clear policy to encourage workers to wear HPDs for preventing Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Application: The findings highlighted that a company’s health and safety policy is important to encourage employees to wear HPDs. Mine settings or noisy workplaces should have transparent policies for employees to follow and benefit their hearing health, even if an employee is not aware of the full content of a policy, aspects are known.

Histology of neovascular myopic macular degeneration

To assess the histological correlate of neovascular or exudative myopic macular degeneration (nMMD) in highly myopic human eyes, we examined histomorphometrically histologic sections of enucleated eyes of Caucasian patients. The study included 284 eyes (age: 61.9 ± 13.7 years; range: 24–89 years; axial length: 25.5 ± 3.1 mm; range: 20–37 mm). An nMMD was detected in 5 eyes (axial length: 29.6 ± 2.6 mm; range: 26.0–31.0 mm). All these eyes showed within or close to the nMMD a macular Bruch’s membrane (BM) defect, fibrous tissue with erythrocyte-filled blood vessels, and proliferations of irregularly pigmented and irregularly piled-up retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells each of which was connected with a curled-up, PAS (Periodic-Acid-Shiff)-positive membrane. The nMMD lesions were covered by proliferated RPE cells. RPE cells were not detected within the retina. In binary regression analysis, a higher nMMD prevalence was associated with a higher prevalence of macular BM defects (odds ratio: > 1000; P < 0.001), while the association with axial length was not significant (P = 0.43) in that model. After adjustment for the presence of macular BM defects, the nMMD prevalence was not associated with BM thickness (measured at the posterior pole, equator-posterior pole midpoint, equator and shortly posterior to the ora serrata) (P = 0.10; P = 0.87; P = 0.40; and P = 0.36, respectively), RPE cell layer thickness (P = 0.83; P = 0.79; P = 0.31; P = 0.38, resp.), RPE cell density (P = 0.56; P = 0.91; P = 0.47; P = 0.87, resp.), choriocapillaris thickness (P = 0.47; P = 0.93; P = 0.41; P = 0.75, resp.), and choriocapillaris density (P = 0.99; P = 0.94; P = 0.17; P = 0.97, resp.). The results suggest that nMMD is characterized by a fibrous pseudo-metaplasia of the RPE and is strongly associated with macular BM defects, without other detected histomorphometric differences in thickness or density of the RPE, BM, and choriocapillaris.

Audit committee diversity and corporate scandals: evidence from the UK

Purpose This paper aims to empirically analyse specific characteristics of an audit committee that could be associated with the likelihood of corporate fraud/scandal/sanctions. Design/methodology/approach The sample includes all firms that were investigated by the Financial Reporting Council through the audit enforcement procedure from 2014 to 2019, and two matched no-scandal firms. It uses logistic binary regression analysis to examine the hypotheses. Findings Results based on the logit regression suggest that audit member tenure and audit committee meeting frequency both have positive associations to the likelihood of corporate scandal. Complementing this result, the authors find negative but insignificant relationships amongst audit committee female chair, audit committee female members percentage, audit committee qualified accountants members, audit committee attendance, number of shares held by audit committee members, audit committee remuneration, board tenure and the likelihood of corporate scandal across the sample. Research limitations/implications The results should help regulatory policymakers make decisions, which could be crucial to future corporate governance. Additionally, these results should be useful to investors who use corporate governance as criteria for investment decisions. Originality/value The authors extend, as well as contribute to the growing literature on the audit committee, and therefore, wider corporate governance literature and provide originality in that it is the first, to the knowledge, to consider two characteristics (i.e. remuneration and gender) in a UK context of corporate scandal. Also, the results imply that the structure and diversity of the audit committee affect corporate fraud/scandal/sanctions.

Concordance and discordance among antiphospholipid syndrome screening assay

Introduction/Objective The lupus anticoagulant (LA) panel utilizing dilute Russell’s viper venom and LA-responsive APTT remains the front-line screen for detecting the presence of clinically significant antibodies in the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome. Receiving anticoagulant therapy limits the utility of clotting-based methods due to increased risk of false positive results. Anti-cardiolipin (aCL) and anti-ß2-glycoprotein I (a2GßPI) antibody titers have also been employed for the detection of anti-phospholipid antibodies; however, they are not influenced by anticoagulation therapy. The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis recommends that all three tests should be performed to appropriately assess the risk of lupus anticoagulant/antiphospholipid antibodies. In this study, the concordance and discordance of rates of among these three assays were examined. Methods/Case Report The electronic medical record was mined according to lab tests codes for the results of the LA panel, aCL and a2GßPI antibody titers for all patients having at least one resulted study at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, over a one-year period (2020). Results were compared to determine rates of concordance and discordance among the assays as well as Spearman’s correlation. Non-parametric binary regression analysis was applied to explore the relationship connecting aCL and a2GßPI titers to LA panel findings. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Strong concordance was seen between the results of LA panels and antibody titer assays. A weak but significant positive correlation was found among the three assays. A robust logarithmic relationship was developed from which the LA panel result could be predicted utilizing outcomes from aCL and a2GßPI antibody titer findings. Conclusion These data further support the reliability of aCL and a2GßPI titers in the evaluation of antiphospholipid syndrome. Furthermore, the robust relationship among these three assays suggests that antibody titers may provide a reliable diagnostic avenue for patients actively undergoing anticoagulation therapy.

Predicting Intensive Care Unit Admissions for COVID-19 Patients in the Emergency Department

Objective: Determining the parameters that can predict the requirement of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions among the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients presented to the emergency departments (EDs). Methods: In adult consecutive patients admitted (March 15 - April 15, 2020) to the ED of a state hospital for COVID-19, we retrospectively analyzed demographic data, symptoms, laboratory tests, and chest computed tomography (CT) on arrival. Results: We included 458 patients [213 (46.5%) females, median age 48 y]. Body temperature, respiration rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, ferritin values, and the number of comorbidities were significantly higher in patients admitted to the ICU than others. Also, diffuse infiltration in chest CT is more common in patients who need ICU follow-up. As a result of the binary regression analysis, a statistically significant correlation was found between the presence of dyspnea (odds ratio [OR]: 12.55), tachypnea (relative risk [RR] ≥ 18) (OR: 14.54), multiple comorbidities (≥2) (OR: 23.39), diffuse infiltration in CT (OR: 14.52), and CRP (≥45 mg/L) (OR: 4.71); and the need for ICU admission. Conclusion: It has been concluded that the presence of dyspnea and tachypnea, elevated CRP, presence of multiple comorbidities, and diffuse infiltration in CT may predict the need for ICU admissions of the patients, who presented to the EDs.

Study on Herders’ Willingness to Protect Grassland Based on the IAD Extended Decision Model

In an attempt to resolve the increasingly severe grassland degradation, China has implemented a series of grassland protection policies. Herders are one of the key stakeholders in these policies, and their willingness to participate in grassland protection directly affects the effective implementation of these policies. We conducted a field survey of herders in Qinghai and Gansu Provinces to identify the factors that impact the willingness of herders to adopt these policies and then incorporated a number of these factors in the extension framework of the Institutional Analysis and Design (IAD) model. First, we analyzed the willingness of herders to adopt grassland protection policies using binary logistic regression. After dividing the herders into two categories based on whether or not they had participated in grassland protection, we repeated the binary regression analysis for both categories of herders. The results indicate that their willingness to adopt protection measures was influenced by their household characteristics, procedures and rules, the market environment, and cognitive reform. Herders who had not participated were mainly concerned about the impact of protection policies on household livelihoods and whether they would receive adequate subsidies. Based on this analysis, we understand that problems still exist with China’s grassland governance policies and have proposed strategies to improve these.

Characteristics and Predictors of Abstinence Among Smokers of a Smoking Cessation Clinic in Hunan China

Background: More than 300 million smokers make China the largest cigarette consumer globally, which is a huge economic burden. Smoking cessation (SC) clinics can offer counseling and follow-up services. The operational experience of SC clinics in China needs to be summarized and improved based on research evidence.Purpose: The objectives of this study were to describe quit rates among attendees of SC clinics in Hunan and assess predictors of successful SC.Methods: The participants in this study were smokers who visited the SC clinic of Hunan Cancer Hospital from February 1, 2015 to September 30, 2018. Individuals who received individual counseling and assessment from the SC clinic staff and were willing to quit smoking were eligible for inclusion. Those with critical illness or cancer were excluded. Application of smoking cessation clinic registration form (unified by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention) was used to assess participants at the consultation. Follow-ups and counseling were performed over telephone at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the initial cessation consultation or in times of need. Successful SC was checked for at 3 months after the start of SC.Results: A total of 328 smokers (mean age 45.67 ± 12.38 years) had participated. The abstinence rate at 3 months was 28.4%. Binary regression analysis revealed significant independent predictors to be the total numbers of SC follow up sessions, previous SC attempts, and participants' decision on when to quit smoking (The relative to quit immediately group, quit within 30 days, quit after 30 days, and undecided quit were less likely to succeed in quitting. while quit within seven days had no statistical significance.Conclusion: SC clinics can achieve a desirably high quit rate. Participant's previous attempts at quitting, three or more follow-ups, and the decision to quit immediately or within seven days were factors helpful in predicting the success of SC.

Consumer housing values and prejudices against living in wooden homes in the Nordic region

So far, consumer housing values have not been addressed as factors affecting the market diffusion potential of multi-storey wood building (MSWB). To fill the void, this study addresses different types of consumer housing values in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden (i.e., Nordic region), and whether they affect the likelihood of prejudices against building with wood in the housing markets. The data collected in 2018 from 2191 consumers in the Nordic region were analyzed with exploratory factor analysis and logistic binary regression analysis. According to the results, consumers’ perceptions on ecological sustainability, material usage and urban lifestyle were similar in all countries, while country-specific differences were detected for perceptions on aesthetics and natural milieus. In all countries, appreciating urban lifestyle and living in attractive neighborhoods with good reputation increased the likelihood of prejudices against wood building, while appreciation of aesthetics and natural milieus decreased the likelihood of prejudices. In strengthening the demand for MSWB and sustainable urbanization through actions in businesses (e.g., branding) and via public policy support (e.g., land zoning), few messages derive from the results. In all, abreast with the already existing knowledge on the supply side factors (e.g., wood building innovations), more customized information is needed on the consumer-driven issues affecting the demand potential of MSWB in the housing markets. This would enable, e.g., both enhancing the supply of wooden homes for consumers appreciating urban lifestyle and neighborhoods and fortifying positive image of wood among consumers especially appreciating good architecture and pleasant environmental milieus.

Predictors of Loneliness among Older Adults in South-Eastern Nigeria : Implications for Social Workers

Old-age loneliness is a crucial public health issue with mortality consequences as well as other negative health conditions and lifestyles including depression, substance abuse, sedentary lifestyles, and suicide ideation. This study investigated the predictors of loneliness among older adults in Nigeria’s southeast in order to articulate some interventions that will plummet the issue. A structured questionnaire (N = 516), in-depth interviews (N = 8), and focus group discussion (N = 16) were used to collect data from respondents aged 60 years or older. The quantitative data sets were subjected to chi-square and binary regression analysis, while a thematic analysis was adopted for the qualitative data. The study’s findings show that some demographic factors such as the number of children (p < .002), health status (p < .023), and social support (p < .014), among others, were statistically significant in predicting loneliness among older adults. The study, therefore, recommends the consideration of community-based services to enable elderly adults to buffer the experience of loneliness. Social workers should also influence the various organs responsible for social policies to formulate and promote policies that address the well-being of older adults.

The Rebound of Early Post‐operative Plasma dd-cfDNA in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single‐center Study

Background: It has been reported that donor derived cell-free DNA(dd-cfDNA) accounts for less than 1.2% of total cell free DNA in stable kidney allograft recipients, and dd-cfDNA may be a non-invasive biomarker of acute rejection. However, the kinetics of plasma dd-cfDNA level is still unclear, which hinders the further application of dd-cfDNA in kidney transplantation (KTx). The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between plasma dd-cfDNA and delayed graft function(DGF） and pulmonary infection after KTx, and to explore the diagnostic value of dd-cfDNA in DGF. In addition, we tried to find out the factors related to the rebound of dd-cfDNA level.Methods: A total of 183 kidney transplant recipients were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood samples (10ml) were collected on the 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st day after KTx, and 546 plasma samples were collected. Droplet digital PCR (DDPCR) was used to detect the level of dd-cfDNA(%) and Mann Whitney U test was used to analyze the relationship between dd-cfDNA level and DGF and pulmonary infection. Logistic binary regression analysis was used to analyze the clinical factors related to the increase of dd-cfDNA.Results: There was no significant difference between DGF group and non-DGF group of dd-cfDNA level (P > 0.05). The mean value of dd-cfDNA on day 1 (6.97%) was significantly higher than that on day 7 (1.17%), day 14 (1.09%) and day 21 (1.18%). Logistic binary regression analysis was performed for dd-cfDNA level rebound group and non-rebound group. Pulmonary infection (OR = 2.11, P = 0.028) and DGF (OR = 1.37, P = 0.42) were significantly correlated with rebound of dd-cfDNA. At the same time, on the 1st, 7th and 14th day after KTx, the levels of dd-cfDNA in pulmonary infection group was significantly higher than non-infection group (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Our results indicate that dd-cfDNA (%) can’t be used as a biomarker for predicting DGF. The rebound of plasma dd-cfDNA (%) level was significantly correlated with the presence of pulmonary infection. However, further confirmatory studies are necessary.