Cyber racism in counseling cyberspaces

Attention toward how technology may be used to perpetuate racism is warranted given the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined cyberspaces associated with the counseling profession to estimate the prevalence and impact of cyber racism using a cross-sectional design. Results indicated that exposure to cyber racism may impact emotions and perceived inclusion in groups. Dado el impacto global de la pandemia por COVID-19, es pertinente prestar atención a cómo la tecnología puede ser usada para perpetuar el racismo. Examinamos ciberespacios asociados con la profesión de la consejería para estimar la prevalencia e impacto del racismo en internet usando un diseño transversal. Los resultados indicaron que la exposición al racismo en internet puede tener un impacto sobre las emociones y la percepción de inclusión en grupos. © 2023 by the American Counseling Association.

Persistence of Ad26.COV2.S-associated VITT and specific detection of VITT antibodies

Background: Some COVID-19 vaccinated individuals develop anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies that cause thrombocytopenia and thrombosis;a rare syndrome referred to as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Currently, information on the characteristics and persistence of anti-PF4 antibodies that cause VITT after Ad26.COV2.S vaccination is limited, and available PF4-polyanion enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and functional diagnostic assays fail to differentiate Ad26.COV2.S and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19-associated VITT from similar clinical disorders, namely heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and spontaneous HIT. Aim(s): Evaluate the persistence of anti-PF4 antibodies in Ad26. COV2.S-associated VITT and correlate findings with clinical and laboratory variables such as thrombosis and platelet counts. Develop/ investigate laboratory tools that differentiate VITT antibodies from HIT and spontaneous HIT. Method(s): Blood samples from VITT and HIT patient cohorts were tested in antigen-based and functional assays and correlated with clinical and laboratory features. Result(s): While Ad26.COV2.S-associated VITT patients were strongly positive in PF4-polyanion ELISAs;they were frequently negative in the serotonin release assay (4 of 8 tested patients were negative). In contrast, the PF4-dependent p-selectin expression assay (PEA) that uses PF4-treated platelets consistently diagnosed Ad26.COV2.S-associated VITT. Most Ad26.COV2.S-associated VITT antibodies persisted for >5 months in PF4-polyanion ELISAs, while the PEA became negative earlier. Two patients had otherwise unexplained mild persistent thrombocytopenia (140-150,000/ mul) six months after acute presentation. No recurrence of thrombosis was noted. Additionally, a novel un-complexed PF4 ELISA specifically differentiated VITT secondary to Ad26.COV2.S and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination, from spontaneous HIT and HIT (Fig 1A-PF4/ polyanion ELISA;Fig 1B-Un-complexed PF4 ELISA;closed black circles-Ad26. COV2.S-associated VITT;closed red circle-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19-associated VITT;***p < 0.001;****p < 0.0001). Its specificity was further confirmed by testing commonly-encountered HIT-suspected patient samples that are PF4/polyanion ELISA-positive but negative in functional assays (1A-1B). Conclusion(s): Ad26.COV2.S-associated VITT antibodies are persistent, and the un-complexed PF4 ELISA appears to be both sensitive and specific for VITT diagnosis.

The Interview Box: Notes on a Prototype System for Video-Recording Remote Interviews

Video-recording remote interviews can sometimes be necessary or desirable, such as in news broadcasting or documentary-making. However, remote interviews are not currently well-supported by digital tools. Unresolved questions about best practices and the kinds of support needed to facilitate remote interviews have become increasingly relevant since the Covid-19 pandemic. To reflect on these questions and explore the design space for systems to support high quality, remote video-recorded interviews, we conducted an exploratory Research through Design study, drawing on professional media-making techniques, novel interviewing methods and a bespoke intervention: The Interview Box. We provide a detailed summary of our design process and, reflecting on both the successes and failures of our interventions, construct two contributions: technical insights relating to the practical challenges of designing and implementing a remote video interview system, and general insights into the broader interaction design challenges of designing for remote video-recorded interviews. © 2022 Owner/Author.

Prevalence of Postpartum Depression Following the COVID-19 Pandemic at an Urban Academic Institution

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complication of pregnancy commonly occurring within the first month of delivery. Numerous risk factors are associated with PPD, including financial stressors, inadequate emotional support, and perceived social isolation. This study evaluated the impact of the implemented social restrictions to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus on the overall prevalence of PPD at an urban academic center. METHODS: Following institutional review board approval, a retrospective cohort study was performed of 1,097 subjects between 1 and 8 weeks postpartum. Group 1, the control group, included 420 women with routine PPD screening prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (April 1-December 31, 2019). Group 2, our case group, included 677 women with routine PPD screening during the pandemic (April 1-December 31, 2020). Both groups completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the prevalence of PPD (defined as having an EPDS score greater than 11) was determined. Postpartum patients following fetal demise were excluded. RESULTS: The prevalence of PPD was higher in postpartum women before the COVID-19 pandemic (13.10%) when compared to postpartum women screened during the pandemic (10.78%). This increased prevalence, however, was not found to be statistically significant (P=.2474). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of PPD before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the downward trend of PPD during the pandemic may be due to quarantine recommendations allowing families/spouses to work from home. The association of PPD and specific social support systems should be evaluated further.

Source identification of the elemental fraction of particulate matter using size segregated, highly time-resolved data and an optimized source apportionment approach

Source emissions with high covariance degrade the performance of multivariate models, and often highly-time resolved data is needed to accurately extract the contribution of different emissions. Here, we use highly time-resolved size segregated elemental composition data to apportion the sources of the elemental fraction of PM in Zürich (May 2019–May 2020). For data collection, we have used an ambient metals monitor, Xact 625i, equipped with a sampling inlet alternating between PM2.5 and PM10. By implementing interpolation and a newly proposed uncertainty estimation methodology, it was possible to obtain and use in PMF a combined dataset of PM2.5 and PMcoarse (PM10-2.5) having data from only one instrument. The combination of the inlet switching system, the instrument's high time resolution, and the use of advanced source apportionment approaches yielded improved source apportionment results in terms of the number of identified sources, as the model, additionally to the diurnal and seasonal variation of the dataset, also utilizes the variation from the size segregated data. Thirteen sources of elements were identified, i.e., sea salt (5.4%), biomass burning (7.2%), construction (4.3%), industrial (3.3%), light-duty vehicles (5.4%), Pb (0.7%), Zn (0.7%), dust (22.1%), transported dust (9.5%), sulfates (15.4%), heavy-duty vehicles (17%), railway (6.6%) and fireworks (2.4%). The Covid-19 lockdown effect in PM sources in the area was also quantified. High-intensity events disproportionally affect the PMF solution, and in many cases, they are getting discarded before analysis, removing thus valuable information from the dataset. In this study, a three-step source apportionment approach was used to get a well-resolved unmixed solution when firework data points were included in the analysis. This approach can also be used for other sources and/or events with very high contributions that distort source apportionment analysis. Optimized source apportionment techniques are necessary for effective air pollution monitoring.

This is Not a Paper Applying a Design Research lens to video conferencing, publication formats, eggs ... and other things

This is like an to a paper, but it is more . In fact, it is the introduction to something which is a not paper. The global Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 represented an infection point for our post-post-modern world, a moment where our old normal was dramatically arrested. We are now in a state of comprehensive flux as 'new normals' emerge, begin to solidify, and may evolve into an-as yet undetermined-futures. This not paper is a facet and exploration of that flux as it relates to publication and conference culture, video conferencing systems, and how we both conduct, and share, research. You should read the whole of this , but then you should take a step inside the not paper, it lives on the web over here https://designresearch.works/thisisnotapaper/

Antibiotic Management Decisions and Use of a Multiplex PCR Panel for Pneumonia Diagnosis among Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19

Background. Antibiotic use among patients with COVID-19 is common, exceeds the prevalence of probable bacterial co-infection, and promotes development of resistant organisms. Lack of diagnostic microbiological data may prolong empiric broad-spectrum therapy. Here we evaluate the use of the BioFire FilmArray pneumonia panel (PP), a novel rapid diagnostic test, and antibiotic decisions among intensive care unit (ICU) patients with COVID-19. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of adult ICU patients admitted with COVID-19 between January 2020 and May 2021 at an academic medical center. ICU patients who underwent bronchoscopy/bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with PP (PP group) were matched by age (< 65 or ≥65), BMI (< 30 or ≥30), and BAL date (within 60 days) to ICU patients who did not undergo BAL (no-BAL group). PP patients were matched by age and BMI to ICU patients who underwent BAL without PP (no-PP group). Antibiotic use was compared between groups. Chi squared analysis, t-test, and ANOVA were used for comparisons as appropriate. Results. 65 patients were included;the majority were male (65%), < 65 years (86%), and had BMI ≥30 (54%) (Table 1). Only 17 no-PP matches were identified for PP patients due to infrequent BALs. Similar proportion of patients in PP and no-PP groups had organisms identified from BAL (54% vs. 47%, p=0.65). Among PP patients with a detected organism, all (n=13) had subsequent changes in antibiotic regimen ≤72 hours after BAL;10/13 (77%) had a change targeted to detected organism and 5/13 (39%) had antibiotic narrowing. Among PP patients with no detected organism, only 4/11 (36%) had antibiotic narrowing or maintenance off antibiotics. In all groups, average antibiotic use exceeded 70% of admission duration. Table 1. Patient characteristics and antibiotic management. Abbreviations: BAL - bronchoalveolar lavage Conclusion. Rapid, highly sensitive diagnostic tests have potential to guide clinical decisions and promote antibiotic stewardship among patients with severe viral pneumonia and suspected bacterial co-infection. In this descriptive analysis, antibiotic management did not differ significantly with use of PP. While most patients with detected organism on PP had targeted antibiotic changes, a negative PP did not appear to influence antibiotic narrowing. Larger studies and provider education are needed to evaluate potential of the PP for antibiotic stewardship.

Remdesivir extraction by extracorporeal life support circuits

INTRODUCTION: Many patients with severe COVID-19 require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and/or continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), both of which can alter drug disposition. Lipophilic, highly protein bound drugs can adsorb to circuit materials, while hydrophilic, minimally protein bound drugs are likely to be filtered. HYPOTHESIS: Remdesivir (RDV) is lipophilic and highly protein bound making it likely to be adsorbed by circuit components and minimally cleared by hemofiltration/dialysis. RDV's active metabolite GS-441524 is hydrophilic and minimally protein bound and should be minimally adsorbed but rapidly filtered. METHODS: We administered RDV and GS-441524 to blood-primed, closed loop, ex vivo ECMO and CRRT circuits and measured drug concentrations over time. Drugs were also administered to a separate control tube to determine drug degradation. Each experiment was performed in triplicate. Drug recovery (%) was calculated by dividing each concentration by the initial concentration. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) recovery of RDV in the ECMO circuits (n=3) was low at 33.3% (2.0) at 6 hours. Recovery in the control (n=3) at 6 hours was 29.3% (2.0) and not significantly different from recovery in the ECMO circuits at 6 hours (p=0.07). Substantial loss of RDV in the CRRT circuits (n=3) occurred within minutes. Recovery was 14.4% (5.7) at 5 minutes and 4.7% (1.0) at 3 hours and significantly different compared to control recovery at 3 hours (p=0.008). Recovery of GS-441524 was higher than RDV in the ECMO circuits (n=3). After 6 hours, recovery was at 75.8% (16.5). Mean recovery in the control (n=3) at 6 hours was 70.6% (6.2) and not significantly different from recovery in the ECMO circuit at 6 hours (p=0.7). In the CRRT circuits (n=3), GS-441524 recovery was low at 15.9% (3.0) at 30 minutes and 0% (0) at 3 hours and significantly different from the control (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: RDV is extracted by ECMO and CRRT primarily by drug adsorption to circuit materials and potentially by drug metabolism in the blood. GS-441524 was not substantially extracted by the ECMO circuit but rapidly cleared by hemodiafiltration in the CRRT circuit. The extent of loss for both molecules, especially in CRRT, suggests that in patients supported with ECMO and CRRT, dosing adjustments are needed.

The impact of COVID-19 on cancer care in the Latinx community in Northern California: A mixed method community-engaged research study

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted cancer care including delayed diagnosis, procedures, and patient fears of COVID-19 infection. However, less is known about the impact on specific populations, including Latinx adults, who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Cancer is the leading cause of death among Latinx adults. Alarmingly, they have low participation rates in cancer prevention programs and face multiple barriers in accessing healthcare, even before the pandemic. Rigorous methods and community-engaged approaches are needed to uncover key barriers and facilitators to cancer care across the socio-ecological spectrum and to translate findings into culturally congruent educational strategies and dissemination efforts. The present mixed methods study entails a bi-directional partnership between the Stanford Medicine Office of Community Engagement and Latinas Contra Cancer, a community-based organization increasing equitable cancer care access for Latinxs. This study aims to determine barriers and facilitators of cancer screening, diagnostics, and treatment in the Latinx community as a result of COVID-19 using a community-based survey (n=500) in Northern California. To gain a deeper understanding of the lived experience of Latinxs obtaining cancer-related care during the pandemic, we will conduct focus groups (n=4) with study participants stratified by barriers and facilitators they endorse across the socio-ecological spectrum, as well as by key demographics (e.g., socioeconomic status, nativity, health literacy). Moreover, medical providers and community clinics will be interviewed (n=15) to understand their unique circumstances during this pandemic (e.g., changing healthcare system logistics, telehealth challenges). Data collection is ongoing and expected to be complete by the end of the summer. We will present descriptive data and statistical analysis (e.g., chi-square tests, logistic regressions) exploring associations key sociocultural and demographic participants characteristics and their endorsement of a variety of barriers and facilitators to care. We will also present key themes from the qualitative data to further contextualize survey findings and gain deeper meaning of the complexities of cancer related care during the pandemic. Study findings will allow us to understand the complexity of barriers and facilitators of cancer prevention and care for Latinxs adults, inform the development of health promotion resources, and guide policy and solutions to reduce excess cancer burden for Latinxs communities.

The reality of ai in drug discovery. highlights from the society for medicines research online meeting

The Society for Medicines Research held a meeting reviewing recent practical progress in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery. This is an area receiving very significant interest in both large pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, and academia, for the potential to impact and increase efficiency of drug discovery, with many partnerships announced between large pharma companies and AI start-ups. This partnering interest and potential commercial value have led to intensive interest from investors. Recent highlights (as of March 2021) of investor commitment include a USD 100M fundraising by the U.K. AI company ExScientia Ltd., and a USD 400M raise by the U.S. company Insitro Inc. Key technology advances enabling this activity include i) deep learning software and toolkits, ii) the availability of graphics processing unit (GPU) compute power, and iii) access to large relevant datasets for training and validation, all leading to many notable publications. However, as with all new technologies, there is always the need to align them to the optimal part of a business process, and arguably the pharmaceutical industry is just at the start of realizing the potential and understanding the key application areas to apply AI. The meeting brought together established thought leaders and practitioners reviewing the current reality of AI approaches in drug discovery.