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Multiple group membership, optimistic bias and infection risk in the context of emerging infectious diseases
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Understanding psychosocial factors which impact responses to emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) is vital in managing epidemics and pandemics. Two under-researched areas in this field are the interactive roles of optimistic bias (underestimation of the likelihood of negative events occurring to the self, relative to others) and group membership (a factor observed to be psychologically protective, but infection risk enhancing). AIMS: The current study aimed to test the relationships between optimistic bias and membership of multiple groups upon EID related emotional and psychological responses and behavioural intentions. METHODS: Participants from the UK and US (N= 360) rated how they would evaluate and respond to a fictitious EID immediately before the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns in a correlational study. RESULTS: Negative relationships were observed between optimistic bias and perceived infection vulnerability, infection prevention strategies and perceived EID severity. Multiple group membership correlated negatively with germ avoidance, but positively with emotional responses such as disgust and increased perceived vulnerability to infection – factors linked to avoiding infection. Multiple group memberships and optimistic bias were unrelated. LIMITATIONS: The study focussed on a fictitious disease and relies on cross-sectional data and behavioural intentions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings build upon the small evidence base on the role of optimistic bias in EID management and suggest that multiple group membership is unlikely to increase optimistic bias. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings for EID management are discussed
The state of the art of risk management in projects
No full textProject Risk Management helps with achieving project objectives, especially those concerning cost and time. APM defines a project risk as ‘an uncertain event or set of circumstances that would, if it occurred, have an effect on the achievement of one or many [project] objectives’. Risks can be either threats that hurt the project objectives, or opportunities that benefit the project objectives. Over time, project professionals have expressed concern with the idea that risks can be ‘positive’, since it does not align with thinking in the non-project world, where risks are always negative. There is also a feeling that opportunities are often not identified, and if identified, treated differently from threats
Power, Participation, and Private Regulatory Initiatives: Human Rights Under Supply Chain Capitalism (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2021) Edited by Daniel Brinks, Julia Dehm, Karen Engle and Kate Taylor
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Nanodroplet-Based Super-Resolution Ultrasound Localization Microscopy
Get PDFOver the last decade, super-resolution ultrasound localization microscopy (SR-ULM) has revolutionized the ultrasound imaging with its capability to resolve the microvascular structures below the ultrasound diffraction limit. The introduction of this imaging technique enables the visualization, quantification, and characterization of tissue microvasculature. The early implementations of SR-ULM utilize microbubbles (MBs) that require long image acquisition time due to the requirement of capturing sparsely isolated microbubble signals. The next generation SR-ULM employs nanodroplets that have the potential to significantly reduce the image acquisition time without sacrificing the resolution.
This article reviews various nanodroplet-based ultrasound localization microscopy techniques and their corresponding imaging mechanisms. A summary is given on the preclinical applications of SR-ULM with nanodroplets and the challenges in the clinical translation of nanodroplet-based SR-ULM are presented while discussing the future perspectives. In conclusion, ultrasound localization microscopy is a promising microvasculature imaging technology that can provide new diagnostic and prognostic information for a wide range of pathologies, such as cancer, heart conditions or autoimmune diseases, and enable personalized treatment monitoring at micro-level
Influences of smart glasses on postural control under single- and dual-task conditions for ergonomic risk assessment
Get PDFHead worn displays have become increasingly popular at workplaces in logistics and assembly lines in recent years. Such displays are expected to improve productivity and safety at the workplace. However, their impact on balance in the workforce is still an open research question. Therefore, we investigated the influence of the Vuzix M400 and Realwear HMT1 smart glasses on postural control. A laboratory study was conducted with eleven participants. Balance parameters were recorded during bilateral quiet stance, together with parameters of cognitive load. The two different smart glasses used in this study were compared with a monitor and a tablet under single-task conditions and while performing a spatial 2-back task. As balance parameters, the prediction ellipse and sample entropy in anteroposterior as well as mediolateral direction of the center-of-pressure data were examined. No significant differences were observed in the cognitive task performance between the devices. The prediction ellipse of the smart glasses was smaller than the tablets but larger than the smartboard. The dynamic of sample entropy data suggests that the use of the spatial 2-back task induces postural sway in the participants. This effect was most profound when looking at the monitor and least recognizable in the data of the tablet
AI in Student as Manager Model Future Directions of Business Studies
Get PDFIn the business programs of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), the Three-Pronged teaching technique is implemented as a student-centered learning process. This approach combines elements of the game, problem, and challenge-based learning with the larger goal of preparing business students to handle complicated, unanticipated global or industrial problems. It promotes an interactive and dependable classroom that calls for students' innovative contributions, teamwork, and participation in the professional world. Micro credential platforms, artificial intelligence, and a new pedagogical strategy: that's the idea for UPSI's undergraduate business. Therefore, this kind of instruction is increasingly being used in business courses like Strategic Management. Undergraduate students benefit from this teaching method since they are exposed to industrial phenomena while developing 21st- century abilities (collaborative, creative, critical thinking, and communication)
Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing Revealed the Prebiotic Potential of a Fruit Juice Drink with Fermentable Fibres in Healthy Humans
Get PDFFibre-based dietary interventions are at the forefront of gut microbiome modulation research, with a wealth of 16S rRNA information to demonstrate the prebiotic effects of isolated fibres. However, there is a distinct lack of data relating to the effect of a combination of soluble and insoluble fibres in a convenient-to-consume fruit juice food matrix on gut microbiota structure, diversity, and function. Here, we aimed to determine the impact of the MOJU Prebiotic Shot, an apple, lemon, ginger, and raspberry fruit juice drink blend containing chicory inulin, baobab, golden kiwi, and green banana powders, on gut microbiota structure and function. Healthy adults (n = 20) were included in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, receiving 60 mL MOJU Prebiotic Shot or placebo (without the fibre mix) for 3 weeks with a 3-week washout period between interventions. Shotgun metagenomics revealed significant between-group differences in alpha and beta diversity. In addition, the relative abundance of the phyla Actinobacteria and Desulfobacteria was significantly increased as a result of the prebiotic intervention. Nine species were observed to be differentially abundant (uncorrected p-value of <0.05) as a result of the prebiotic treatment. Of these, Bifidobacterium adolescentis and CAG-81 sp900066785 (Lachnospiraceae) were present at increased abundance relative to baseline. Additionally, KEGG analysis showed an increased abundance in pathways associated with arginine biosynthesis and phenylacetate degradation during the prebiotic treatment. Our results show the effects of the daily consumption of 60 mL MOJU Prebiotic Shot for 3 weeks and provide insight into the functional potential of B. adolescentis
Public service resilience post-Covid: Introduction to the special issue
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Web-post buckling resistance calculation of perforated high-strength steel beams with elliptically-based web openings for EC3
Get PDFThere has been an increase in the use of high-strength steel in several countries, as they provide design lightweight structural members by satisfying environmental and economic issues. This paper aims to implement high-strength steels in the web-post buckling resistance equation, which was based on the truss model according to EUROCODE 3, presented previously by the authors. For this task, a finite element model is developed by geometrically and materially nonlinear analysis with imperfections included. A parametric study is carried out, considering the key geometric parameters that influence the web-post buckling resistance. Three high-strength steel grades are studied (S460, S690 and S960) and in total, 13,500 finite element models are processed. A new factor for adapting high-strength steels to the equation proposed previously was presented. The finite element results agree well with the new proposal. The statistical parameters calculated, via the ratio between the numerical and analytical models, considering the regression, mean, standard deviation and variance, were 0.9817, 0.986, 8.32% and 0.69%, respectively. In conclusion, a reliability analysis was presented based on Annex D EN 1990 (2002)