Risk Of Exposure Research Articles

P-2263. Are you PRePared After Transplant?

Abstract Background Solid organ transplantation (SOT) is a life-saving medical procedure that can improve the quality of life of individuals with end-stage organ failure. Given the scarcity of organs, it is important to safeguard those implanted and prevent infections. Transplant Infectious Disease physicians help mitigate infectious risk both before and after surgery. One important preventable infection is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in reducing the risk of HIV infection. Yet no study has examined PrEP use in SOT patients. The CDC reports that 30% of patients that may benefit from PrEP are prescribed them in the US. No similar statistic exists for SOT patients. Figure 1 Demographics for SOT patients with possible exposure to HIV. Purple represents those without PrEP. Green represents those with PrEP. Methods To obtain quantitative support for further study, a large, multi-center database (Trinetx) was queried. Trinetx contains deidentified data from hundreds of international healthcare organizations (HCOs) dating back about seven years. The retrospective query included 68 HCOs with patients that met the following search inclusion criteria (based on ICD codes): SOT patient without the diagnosis of HIV, prescribed PrEP, and possible exposure risk for HIV. Results 147,145 SOT patients were identified that did not carry the diagnosis of HIV. Only 160 patients (0.11%) were prescribed PrEP, identified as the following three regimens: tenofovir alafenamide + emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxil + emtricitabine, or cabotegravir. To risk-stratify HIV exposure, the original cohort of 147,475 SOT patients without HIV were analyzed with ICD codes for HIV exposure. This search identified 2,565 patients coded for HIV exposure. Given that only 160 patients were prescribed PrEP in the cohort, 2,405 patients may have benefited from PrEP but were not prescribed these medications. Patients on PrEP after SOT were predominantly male (78%) and White/Caucasian (58%). Identifying as Asian was a significant factor in using PrEP after SOT (p< 0.0001). Female gender was a significant demographic not utilizing PrEP despite possible exposure to HIV (p< 0.0001). (Figure 1). Conclusion This large database study shows that PrEP is underutilized in SOT patients. Further study—including surveys of sexual practices, provider knowledge, and attitudes towards PrEP, as well as single-center analysis—is needed. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

P-2224. Clinical and Public Health Implications of Tularemia Diagnoses by Microbial Cell-Free DNA Testing

Abstract Background Tularemia is a nationally notifiable disease and Category A potential bioterrorist threat caused by Francisella tularensis. Microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) sequencing is a pathogen-agnostic diagnostic method using human plasma. mcfDNA detections of F. tularensis are not currently included in public health surveillance criteria for a tularemia case and are not automatically reported to public health jurisdictions. We reviewed recent F. tularensis mcfDNA detections to better understand their clinical and public health implications.Table 1.Francisella tularensis diagnostic test results and reported exposure histories among 15 patients with F. tularensis detected by mcfDNA sequencing — United States, 2018–2023. Methods Available residual patient samples, in which F. tularensis mcfDNA were detected by the Karius CLIA certified/CAP accredited laboratory, were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for F. tularensis testing by PCR. Treating clinicians and local/state public health jurisdictions where these patients lived at the time of testing were invited to complete a survey regarding clinical details and public health reporting.Table 2.Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with Francisella tularensis detected by microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) testing, as reported by the ordering clinician — United States, 2018–2023. Results During 2018–2023, mcfDNA sequencing detected F. tularensis in 15 patient samples in 6 states. CDC detected F. tularensis by PCR in 4 (31%) of 13 residual samples, all in samples with higher DNA quantities. All invited jurisdictions (n=6) and most clinicians (8/13, 62%) participated in the survey. Most cases (12/15, 80%) were reported to public health; 3 of 12 (25%) were determined not to meet the tularemia surveillance case definition, and only 1 case reported to CDC mentioned mcfDNA results. Among 11 cases with clinical information, tularemia was not suspected before receipt of mcfDNA results in 10 (91%), despite all patients reporting outdoor activities that could increase F. tularensis exposure risk. Other diagnostic tests for tularemia were positive in 7 of 11 (64%) cases; blood cultures were negative in all cases. mcfDNA results changed clinical management in all cases, resulting in antibiotic changes.Figure 1.Cross-sectional computed tomography of the lungs in a patient diagnosed with pneumonic tularemia by microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) testing, showing bilateral moderate pleural effusion and right upper and middle lobe pulmonary nodules. This patient also exhibited nonspecific mediastinal and bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy and typhoidal symptoms. In this case, mcfDNA testing identified Francisella tularensis nearly 50 hours before any conventional testing confirmed the diagnosis and prompted changes in antibiotic therapy and infection prevention efforts to begin. Conclusion mcfDNA appears to be clinically impactful and highly sensitive for diagnosis of tularemia, particularly in febrile patients with consistent exposure history. New diagnostic methods may pose a challenge to public health surveillance and require changes to case definitions and reporting practices to ensure robustness of public health utility and timely prevention efforts.Figure 2.Left medial knee with 3 cm nodular ulcer with purulence and adjacent erythema at location of suspected tick bite in a patient diagnosed with ulceroglandular tularemia by microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) testing. Disclosures Sarah Y. Park, MD, FAAP, Karius, Inc.: employee

386. Pathogen-Harboring Ticks are Prevalent in Suburban Green Spaces in Central North Carolina

Abstract Background North Carolina (NC) reports high numbers of ehrlichiosis and spotted fever group rickettsioses. However, the prevalence of pathogens in ticks has historically been relatively low, with a < 10% prevalence of Ehrlichia spp. and < 1% prevalence of Rickettsia rickettsii in field-collected Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis ticks. Most entomological surveys have focused on woodlands and rural sites, while less is known about the risk of human-tick interactions in suburban green spaces such as parks.Table 1.Pathogens identified in ticks in central North Carolina from surveillance in suburban green spaces and animal shelters. Methods The objective of the study, which was supported by an IDSA GERM Award, was to describe the prevalence and distribution of pathogen-harboring ticks in a suburban area of central NC with a focus on green spaces. Tick surveillance was performed by dragging vegetation in 16 suburban green spaces, primarily city and county parks, in Orange and Chatham Counties from June - August 2022. Ticks were also collected from stray dogs presenting to two county animal shelters. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect pathogens in the ticks. Results A total of 107 ticks were collected and underwent PCR testing (Table 1), including 40 collected via dragging and 67 from animal shelters. A. americanum were the most frequently encountered ticks, accounting for more than two-thirds of ticks collected in green spaces and half of ticks from shelters. A total of 26% were positive for E. chaffeensis or E. ewingii, with substantially higher infection rates among ticks from shelters. A. maculatum accounted for 25% of ticks in green spaces, half of which were positive for R. parkeri. The vast majority (90%) of D. variabilis ticks were collected from shelters, but all three ticks from green spaces were positive for R. rickettsii. While of uncertain pathogenicity, R. amblyommatis was the most frequently encountered bacterium among all ticks collected. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that pathogen-infected ticks are present in suburban green spaces. Given that exposure risk of tick-borne disease is commonly associated with rural activities such as hiking, camping, and hunting, further education and public campaigns are warranted, and vector control efforts may need to be considered. Our findings also suggest that A. maculatum may be moving further inland than previously reported. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

P-1881. Don't Know Much About Geography? Decision Support for Frontline Clinicians Evaluating Patients with Suspected High Consequence Infectious Diseases

Abstract Background High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCIDs) are acute infectious diseases characterized by high case-fatality rates, few (if any) rapidly accessible treatments, and person-to-person spread in the absence of appropriate transmission-based precautions. Rapid identification and isolation of suspected cases is critical, however, diagnosis is challenging because HCIDs can manifest with nonspecific symptoms and specialized knowledge about the geography of current outbreaks, as well as HCID-specific exposure risk factors and incubation periods, are not uniformly known to healthcare personnel (HCP) performing patient evaluations. Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) embedded within the electronic health record (EHR) may facilitate assessment.Figure 1:EvalHCID Clinical Decision Support System DemonstrationFrom top to bottom, EvalHCID automatically imports travel information from the routine travel screening conducted during initial patient triage. Additional travel can be manually entered, with an itinerary of up to 4 countries. By cross-referencing a system-wide database of circulating HCIDs, EvalHCID automatically loads an interface to evaluate HCIDs relevant to the patient’s travel history. By subtracting symptom onset date from the last day in country, symptom development outside the relevant incubation period can be identified. Methods We describe the design and development of an EHR-embedded CDSS tool, linked to a travel and symptom screening, and referencing a regularly updated worldwide HCID Watch List, to assist HCP in the evaluation of a returning traveler with infectious symptoms. Performance and user experience of the tool are described.Figure 2:EvalHCID Clinical Decision Support System DemonstrationFrom top to bottom, EvalHCID facilitates collection of epidemiological history that would place a traveler at high risk for the development of an HCID (in this case, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). Based on the data entered into EvalHCID, a recommendation regarding risk stratification and next steps is given. Relevant resources are also provided. Results The Evaluate for High Consequence Infectious Disease (EvalHCID) CDSS facilitates identification of patients with travel, symptom, and epidemiological risk factors warranting Person Under Investigation (PUI) status for viral hemorrhagic fevers (including Lassa Fever, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Marburg Virus Disease, and Ebola Virus Disease) as well as Novel Influenza and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Figures 1 and 2). Using integrated, adaptable logic concordant with public health guidance, EvalHCID can be deployed to rapidly identify patients who meet PUI criteria, while allowing patients who do not meet PUI criteria to proceed with an otherwise appropriate clinical evaluation (Figure 3).Figure 3:EvalHCID Clinical Decision Support System LogicBy incorporating travel history, the dates of travel and symptom onset, relevant symptoms, and epidemiological risk factors, EvalHCID assists frontline healthcare personnel in risk-stratifying returning travelers for HCIDs. Conclusion With highly specialized and accessible HCID expertise embedded within the EHR, HCP identification of patients at high risk for HCIDs is augmented, enabling rapid initiation of appropriate isolation when indicated for PUIs. At the same time, through speeding the evaluation of low-risk patients, care can be improved by allowing diagnosis of more likely clinical conditions. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

A strategic perspective on automated warehouse systems in retail: insights from a multiple case study

PurposeAs the warehouse is increasingly viewed as a strategic component, retailers’ willingness to invest in automated warehouse systems (AWS) has increased. These investment decisions are influenced by well-known operational factors, but strategic factors, which have received limited attention in warehousing literature, also play a pivotal role. Addressing this gap, this study investigates how strategic factors influence AWS investment decisions in retail.Design/methodology/approachBased on a theoretical foundation of technology adoption, strategic intent, and automation strategy, an abductive multiple case study is conducted with eight purposefully selected retailers that had implemented or were in the process of implementing a large AWS.FindingsThe study ranks 10 competitive priorities and 21 AWS evaluation aspects and shows how the firm’s strategic intent and the AWS investment decisions can be connected via the formulation of a warehouse automation strategy. The findings reveal the content for such a strategy – including 7 categories and 17 considerations – related to, for example, technology innovativeness, efficiency versus adaptiveness, technology-supplier relationships, control and ownership, and risk exposure. The study empirically shows how manager characteristics and owner strategies influence retailers’ AWS investment decisions. Four strategic intent profiles are abductively developed: reliability and delivery service; profitable deliveries; scalable logistics for volume growth; and platform building for logistics services. The study also provides evidence of a reciprocal relationship between strategic intent and AWS investment decisions.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is conducted with a limited number of Swedish retailers, indicating a need for additional studies to test the findings across different contexts.Practical implicationsThe study offers a framework for formulating a warehouse automation strategy. As a foundation for developing the framework, the study shares empirical insights from retailers in the forefront of AWS implementation.Originality/valueThe study contributes as a conversation changer by showing the importance of shifting from a tactical-operational focus to a strategic perspective on warehouse configuration in general and on AWS investment decisions in retail in particular.

Lifecourse research in cancer: context, challenges, and opportunities when exploring exposures in early life and cancer risk in adulthood

As the global population ages, and rates of modifiable risk factors for cancer change, cancer incidence and mortality continue to increase. While we understand many modifiable risk factors related to diet, nutrition, bodyweight, and physical activity in adulthood that influence cancer risk, how exposure during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood impacts cancer risk is less clear. This is partly because the timeline from initial mutation to cancer development and diagnosis can span several decades. This long latency period creates methodological, ethical, and financial issues; as well as resource and feasibility challenges in the design, implementation, and data analysis of lifecourse studies. As such, the large majority of lifecourse studies are observational, often using recall data which has inherent bias issues. Concurrently, a new research era has begun, with mature birth cohort studies that are phenotyped/genotyped and can support studies on adult cancer risk. Several studies and consortia contain information spanning the lifecourse. These resources can support association, mechanistic and epigenetic investigations into the influences of multi-disciplinary (e.g. genetic, behavioural, environmental) factors, across the lifecourse and critical time periods. Ultimately, we will be able to produce high-quality evidence and identify how/when early life risk factors impact cancer development and survival.

ERM value for community banks: a natural experiment

PurposeWe explore the apparent value of ERM within the CB landscape in the absence of endogeneity concerns.Design/methodology/approachWe explore the observed market value of enterprise risk management (ERM) in a specific industry, community banks (CBs). To do this we employ standard event study methodology. We use the surprise failures of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank (SBNY) as a natural experiment to investigate this phenomenon.FindingsWe observe several consistent results. CBs with high institutional ownership and high insider ownership exhibited a negative relationship with abnormal returns. Univariate results indicate that there is a negative relationship between ERM and CB. However, multivariate results controlling for other known factors which impact returns indicate no relationship between ERM implementation and value for CBs. Finally, we find evidence the market considers CBs to have less risk of failure or exposure to regional banking contagion, as CARs are positive when using a regional bank index as the market model benchmark.Research limitations/implicationsThese results call into question the value of ERM for CBs.Originality/valueThese results call into question the value of ERM for CBs. This is the first paper to explore ERM value within CBs using a natural experiment approach.

Integrated Computational Analysis Reveals Early Genetic and Epigenetic AML Susceptibility Biomarkers in Benzene-Exposed Workers

Benzene, a well-known carcinogenic airborne pollutant, poses significant health risks, particularly in industries such as petroleum, shoemaking, and painting. Despite strict regulations, chronic occupational exposure persists, contributing to the onset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other malignancies. Benzene’s carcinogenicity stems from its metabolic activation, leading to increased oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cancer transformation. While its toxicity is well-documented, the link between genetic and epigenetic alterations and cancer susceptibility in exposed workers remains underexplored. This study aims to identify early biomarkers of benzene exposure and AML risk by analyzing gene expression and DNA methylation datasets from GEO DataSets, integrated with molecular pathway analyses, as well as miRNA-target and protein-protein network evaluations. This multi-approach led to the identification of nine deregulated genes (CRK, CXCR6, GSPT1, KPNA1, MECP2, MELTF, NFKB1, TBC1D7, ZNF331) in workers exposed to benzene, with NFKB1 showing strong discriminatory potential. Also, dose-dependent DNA methylation changes were observed in CXCR6 and MELTF, while selected miRNAs such as let-7d-5p, miR-126-3p, and miR-361-5p emerged as key post-transcriptional regulators. Furthermore, functional enrichment linked these genes to immune response, inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis pathways. While network analyses highlighted NFKB1, CRK, and CXCR6 as central to benzene-associated leukemogenesis. Altogether, these findings provide novel insights into an early biomarker fingerprint for benzene exposure and AML susceptibility, supporting the future development of biomolecular-based targeted occupational health monitoring and personalized preventive strategies for at-risk workers.

Fatty Acid Profiles Linked to Organohalogen Exposure in Cetaceans from the Northern South China Sea.

Increasing evidence suggests that organohalogen contaminants (OHCs) could disrupt lipid metabolism in organisms, prompting consideration of fatty acids (FAs) as biological tools for assessing chemical stress in biological systems. This study examined 87 OHCs and 32 FAs in two sentinel cetacean species─Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (n = 128) and Indo-Pacific finless porpoises (n = 26)─from the northern South China Sea (NSCS), a global hotspot for OHCs. Our results revealed higher OHC levels in these cetaceans than global averages. We identified 347 significant correlations between 79 OHCs and 32 FAs, including 32 associations with long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are critical for cetacean health. Furthermore, 45 significant correlations were found between OHC levels and desaturated enzyme activities/lipogenic indexes, suggesting that OHCs may disrupt lipid metabolism in these cetaceans. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers as legacy flame retardants were major contributors to the OHC-FA relationships. Moreover, alternative halogenated flame retardants, as PBDE substitutes, may similarly impact FA metabolism, raising concerns regarding their safety. Our findings support the potential use of FAs as bioindicators for evaluating OHC exposure risks in cetaceans. Future research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and consequences of these OHC exposure-associated lipid-disrupting effects occurring in the NSCS cetaceans.

Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Concentrations Measured in Alaskan Arctic Clams Using ELISA and HPLC Methods

Clams are efficient vectors of potent algal neurotoxins, a suite of saxitoxin (STX) congeners collectively called paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), to higher trophic levels. The Alaskan Arctic is a region facing an expanding threat from PSTs due to ocean warming, yet little is known about PSTs in clams from this region. Quantifying total toxicity in bivalves requires analytical techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are an efficient but only semi-quantitative method for measuring clam toxicity. PSTs (STX eq.) were measured in split clam samples (n = 16) from the Alaskan Arctic using ELISA and HPLC methods to develop a preliminary linear model for conservatively estimating total toxicity in clams from ELISA toxin values (R2adj = 0.95, p < 0.001). Profiles of PST congeners and total toxicity using HPLC were also assessed in additional clams (n = 36 additional, n = 52 total). Clams contained mostly potent PST congeners, and over half of the clams had PST concentrations above the seafood regulatory limit. These data will help assess the exposure risks of PSTs in Arctic marine food webs, as harmful algal bloom activity is predicted to increase as the Arctic continues to warm.

Antioxidative Function of Zinc and Its Protection Against the Onset and Progression of Kidney Disease Due to Cadmium

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is now the world’s top seventh cause of death from a non-communicable disease, and its incidence is projected to increase further as its major risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), continue to rise. Current evidence has linked the increased prevalence of CKD, diabetes, hypertension, and NAFLD to chronic exposure to the metal pollutant cadmium (Cd). Exposure to Cd is widespread because diet is the main exposure route for most people. Notably, however, the health risk of dietary Cd exposure is underappreciated, and the existing tolerable exposure guidelines for Cd do not afford health protection. New health-protective exposure guidelines are needed. From one’s diet, Cd is absorbed by the intestinal epithelium from where it passes through the liver and accumulates within the kidney tubular epithelial cells. Here, it is bound to metallothionine (MT), and as it is gradually released, it induces tubular damage, tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis, and nephron destruction. The present review provides an update on our knowledge of the exposure levels of Cd that are found to be associated with CKD, NAFLD, and mortality from cardiovascular disease. It discusses the co-existence of hypertension and CKD in people environmentally exposed to Cd. It highlights nuclear and mitochondrial targeting and zinc deficiency as the universal cytotoxic mechanisms of Cd. Special emphasis is placed on the novel antioxidative function of zinc involving de novo heme biosynthesis and the induced expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Other exogenous biomolecules with promising anti-Cd toxicity are highlighted.

Relationship Between Working Periode and Using PPE with Hb Levels of Gas station Officers with Benzene Exposure in Cimahi City

Gas stations have risks of benzene exposure. Benzene can cause anemia or decreased hemoglobin levels, due to the length of exposure, period of work, and use of Personal Protective Equipment. The purpose of this study to determine relationship between length of service and use of PPE on hemoglobin levels at gas station workers in Cimahi City. The study was conducted with a cross-sectional design on 100 participants from 10 gas stations. The working period was collected using a questionnaire, the use of PPE is measured by observation, and the measurement of hemoglobin levels is measured using an Hb meter instrument. The univariate statistical test uses frequency distribution and the bivariate uses the Spearman Rank Correlation. The results showed that 22% use PPE in the less category, 42% have worked for more than 5 years, and 35% of gas station workers in Cimahi City had low hemoglobin levels. The results of statistical analysis of the relationship between length of service and hemoglobin levels of gas station attendants in Cimahi City showed a value of p=0.001, and the relationship between the use of PPE and hemoglobin levels of gas station workers showed a value of p=0.390. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between length of service and Hb levels of gas station attendants, and there was no relationship between the use of PPE.

Integrated Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Revealed the Mechanism of BHPF Exposure in Endometrium

Fluorene-9-bisphenol (BHPF) has been increasingly used as a bisphenol A substitute in the synthesis of various products. Previous studies have suggested that BHPF can be released from plastic bottles into drinking water, and BHPF accumulation has been reported to cause various adverse effects in humans. Nevertheless, the impact of BHPF exposure on endometrial epithelial cells remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the effects of exposure to different concentrations of BHPF on endometrial cells and used integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic methods to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our results revealed significant associations between specific metabolites and genes, indicating that low-concentration exposure to BHPF affects endometrial epithelial cells by targeting pathways related to primary immunodeficiency, in which the key genes are IL7R and PTPRC. High-concentration exposure to BHPF decreased cell viability by regulating the purine metabolism pathway, as well as dysregulating the expression of PGM1, PDE3B, AK9, and ENTPD8. Our study highlights that the health risk of BHPF exposure to endometrial epithelial cells is concentration-dependent and that integrated analysis of metabolomic and transcriptomic data not only revealed the biological effects of BHPF and its underlying mechanisms, but also provided key candidate target genes for further exploration.

THE RELEVANCE OF HLA-II HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGENS IN PREDICTING THE RISK OF DEVELOPING A NUMBER OF BULLOUSE DERMATOSES

Background. Bullous dermatoses are a group of severe heterogeneous diseases that are potentially life threatening and significantly worsen its quality. Aims. To establish the regularities of the implementation of individual links in the immunopathogenesis of bullous dermatoses (BD) using the example of pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid and benign familial pemphigus in accordance with the data of clinical and immunogenetic studies to develop scientifically based approaches to predicting the course and personification of therapy for bullous dermatoses. Methods. A prospective open, simple, comparative, scientific study included 101 patients (men – 33, women – 68) with bullous dermatoses. The study was conducted from 2017 to 2023. Results. Statistically significant differences were revealed for a number of HLA-II indicators. Carriers of HLA-DRB1*3, DRB1*4, DRB1*14, DRB1*16, DQB1*0304, DQB1*0502-4, DQB1*0503, DQB1*02 and DQA1*0301 should be identified as a risk group for the development of PV, BFP, BP. Patients carrying histocompatibility antigens HLA-DRB1*15, DRB1*17, DQB1*201, DQB1*303, DQB1*602-8 have increased resistance to the above-mentioned bullous dermatoses. Conclusions. An association was found between histocompatibility antigens HLA-II, pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid and benign familial pemphigus. The data obtained can be used to predict the development of the above-mentioned diseases, develop a set of preventive recommendations, verify the correct diagnosis in the early stages of diseases and minimize the risks of exposure to exposom factors.

Students' digital media literacy abilities in Islamic religious education lessons reviewed from learning style

This research is considered necessary because it is in line with the current digital era where many of the students certainly take advantage of the digital media around them. With a sufficient understanding of digital media literacy, it is hoped that it will help them in choosing and evaluating information wisely, thereby reducing the risk of exposure to inaccurate or dangerous information because it is seen from the rapidly increasing digital development. This study aims to find out the extent of students' digital media literacy and also the various learning styles of students and the analysis of students' digital media literacy according to their respective learning styles (visual, auditory and kinesthetic). The method used descriptive qualitative research with 48 respondents. The data collection technique uses questionnaires (multiple choice digital media literacy questionnaire and learning style questionnaire to determine the types of students' learning styles including visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and mixed) and analysis using the help of SPSS version 25. The results of this study show that the learning style that has a higher understanding of digital media literacy than other learning styles is the auditory learning style with an average of 19.80, the second is the visual learning style with an average of 19.75, the third is the mixed learning style with an average of 19.57, and the last is the kinesthetic learning style with an average of 19.17.

Anticoagulant rodenticides may affect fisher population trends in the northeastern United States

AbstractRegrowth of forests across the northeastern United States in recent decades has allowed for range expansion of many forest‐dependent mammals in the region. However, these contemporary forests have smaller patch sizes, putting humans in closer proximity to previously remote forested areas, and different species compositions and structure compared to historical forests. These conditions pose an increased risk of exposure to anthropogenic disturbances and contaminants for forest‐dwelling wildlife. We evaluated the relationship between contemporary forest conditions and anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) on recent population trends for fishers (Pekania pennanti). We acquired a snapshot of recent population trends for fishers across New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, USA, using standardized catch‐per‐unit‐effort (CPUE) data from the regulated fall harvest spanning 2016‐2020, when harvest regulations remained consistent across the states. We used regression models to relate the probability of CPUE increase to measures of forest habitat (age, structure, productivity), length of winter snow cover, and human disturbance (land use patterns and AR detection). The top model indicated that the probability of CPUE increase declined 43% for every 10% increase in the percent of the population exposed to at least 1 AR and by 24% for every 1‐day increase in the length of winter snow cover, while measures of forest conditions had no significant relationship. The relationship between AR detection and suppressed CPUE increase is compelling, as few mammalian studies effectively link the detection of AR residues in animal tissues to population‐level performance in the wild. Nevertheless, longer time frames are required to fully understand population trends and their drivers across heterogeneous landscapes. We recommend the fisher as a model species for longer‐term monitoring of AR detections and for comparing outcomes of measures potentially designed to reduce AR impacts on wildlife in this region.

Examination of risks in circular supply chains using transition management lens: towards a circular economy in emerging markets

We perform a multidimensional and integrated investigation of risks associated with circular supply chains (CSC), drawing on Transition Management Theory (TMT). This research focuses on e-waste from the Indian electronics industry, a waste stream with significant recovery potential and one of the fastest-growing in emerging economies. Drawing on TMT, the study (i) institutionalises risk management activities in circular systems to operationalise the transition towards CE; (ii) quantifies CSC risks at operational, tactical, and strategic levels and measure the total risk exposure of CSCs; (iii) comprehensively cogitates the operational, socio-environmental, and financial implications of CSCs risks and (iv) considers uncertainty in operations research (OR) models by applying a fuzzy set theory, evidential reasoning algorithm, and expected utility theory based model to evaluate and profile the CSCs risks. The proposed model contributes to the application of decision analysis and risk analysis approaches in the sustainability domain and can efficiently model uncertain, subjective, and incomplete data. Our findings reveal that customers’ reluctance to purchase reprocessed products represents the most critical challenge to the effectiveness of CSCs. Furthermore, contrary to conventional perspectives, organizations are strategically shifting toward adopting circular practices. However, they often lack the practical means and resources to implement these strategies effectively.

Big Data and Machine Learning in ESG Research*

AbstractThe wide applications of machine learning techniques to big data allow researchers to dig deep into novel large‐scale data sets, such as job postings, earnings calls, and news reports. They also equip researchers with powerful tools to study important but subtle/challenging topics that are impossible to explore before on a large scale, such as corporate culture and climate risk exposure. In this review, I survey various applications of different machine learning techniques in ESG research, beginning with foundational methods such as bag‐of‐words, progressing through topic modeling, word embedding, and BERT, and culminating with generative artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced machine learning approaches. I conclude by outlining future directions for using big data and machine learning in ESG research.

Schedula Anima: Dynamic Visualization of Gantt Charts and Resource Usage Graphs in Project Scheduling

Scheduling is essential in managing projects. ‘Schedula Anima’ is a new software designed to provide a comprehensive view of schedules between early and late dates for construction project managers. Capturing the dynamic nature of projects, it offers improved visualization through an animation process that creates incremental frames of bar charts and the corresponding resource graphs. As activity delays are simulated, it is observed that delays earlier in the schedule have more significant effects on project completion. A new prioritization method is introduced to evaluate the ease of rescheduling activities. A metric for monitoring resource usage float is presented, and the search space for resource utilization is delineated. As resource smoothing is studied in the resource usage graph and the time domain, a correlation is discovered between resource smoothness and the float consumption rate. It is shown that the schedule and resource usage graph comprises five sub-areas representing different risk exposures. Animation also improves communication in project teams and is beneficial in education. Finally, it is discovered that the permutations of activities in the simulation form a group. Enhancing our perception of resource utilization and the management of delays, ‘Schedula Anima’ brings a renewed perspective to project scheduling.

Exposure profiles, determinants, and health risks of chemicals in personal care products among healthy older adults from the China BAPE study.

Personal care products (PCPs) are ubiquitously present in the environment, and the associated health risks have been increasingly concerned worldwide. However, knowledge regarding exposure assessments of older adults to these chemicals and their health risks remains largely limited. In the present study, five repeated surveys involving 76 healthy older adults in Jinan, Shandong Province, were performed to quantify urinary exposure levels of 14 chemicals in PCPs. Moreover, influencing factors and health risks associated with exposure to these chemicals were thoroughly analyzed. Our findings revealed that methyl paraben (MeP) was the predominant chemical in PCP in the urine of the elderly, with a median concentration of 16.17 μg/L. Dietary intake, particularly fish and milk products, along with exposure to ambient PM2.5, were identified as the primary sources of certain chemicals in PCPs. Additionally, an increased physical activity was associated with decreased concentrations of benzophenone-2 (BP-2) within the body. Risk assessment demonstrated that chemicals in PCPs currently posed minimal health risks to the elderly. Our findings provide substantial references for mitigating the health risks of these chemical exposures in healthy older adults, ultimately safeguarding their overall and physical well-being.