Preventive chemotherapy represents a powerful but short-term control strategy for soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Since humans are often re-infected rapidly, long-term solutions require improvements ...in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The purpose of this study was to quantitatively summarize the relationship between WASH access or practices and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection.
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the associations of improved WASH on infection with STH (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworm Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus, and Strongyloides stercoralis). PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and LILACS were searched from inception to October 28, 2013 with no language restrictions. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they provided an estimate for the effect of WASH access or practices on STH infection. We assessed the quality of published studies with the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A total of 94 studies met our eligibility criteria; five were randomized controlled trials, whilst most others were cross-sectional studies. We used random-effects meta-analyses and analyzed only adjusted estimates to help account for heterogeneity and potential confounding respectively. Use of treated water was associated with lower odds of STH infection (odds ratio OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.36-0.60). Piped water access was associated with lower odds of A. lumbricoides (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.39-0.41) and T. trichiura infection (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.45-0.72), but not any STH infection (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.28-3.11). Access to sanitation was associated with decreased likelihood of infection with any STH (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.57-0.76), T. trichiura (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.50-0.74), and A. lumbricoides (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.44-0.88), but not with hookworm infection (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.61-1.06). Wearing shoes was associated with reduced odds of hookworm infection (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.18-0.47) and infection with any STH (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.11-0.83). Handwashing, both before eating (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.26-0.55) and after defecating (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.35-0.58), was associated with lower odds of A. lumbricoides infection. Soap use or availability was significantly associated with lower infection with any STH (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29-0.98), as was handwashing after defecation (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.24-0.90). Observational evidence constituted the majority of included literature, which limits any attempt to make causal inferences. Due to underlying heterogeneity across observational studies, the meta-analysis results reflect an average of many potentially distinct effects, not an average of one specific exposure-outcome relationship.
WASH access and practices are generally associated with reduced odds of STH infection. Pooled estimates from all meta-analyses, except for two, indicated at least a 33% reduction in odds of infection associated with individual WASH practices or access. Although most WASH interventions for STH have focused on sanitation, access to water and hygiene also appear to significantly reduce odds of infection. Overall quality of evidence was low due to the preponderance of observational studies, though recent randomized controlled trials have further underscored the benefit of handwashing interventions. Limited use of the Joint Monitoring Program's standardized water and sanitation definitions in the literature restricted efforts to generalize across studies. While further research is warranted to determine the magnitude of benefit from WASH interventions for STH control, these results call for multi-sectoral, integrated intervention packages that are tailored to social-ecological contexts.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the globe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, limiting face-to-face interaction is the best strategy for reducing the ...spread of COVID-19. We investigate the impact of social distancing on social connection and well-being, while also considering the moderating influence of smartphone use. In a survey of 400 students, the study presented herein finds that smartphone use attenuates the negative impact of social distancing on social connection and well-being. Contrary to popular sentiments regarding the influence of smartphone use on well-being, increased smartphone use during the pandemic may foster social connection and well-being. Overall, the research presented provides evidence that the perceived loss of social connection with others is not a de facto outcome of social distancing. The study's findings have important implications for public policymakers, government officials, and others, including consumer researchers. These implications include stressing the important role technology can play in staying socially connected during the current pandemic and the importance of reframing "social distancing" as "physical distancing with social connectedness".
The human need to belong is an innate drive that dictates much of our behavior. Informed by The Belongingness Hypothesis and Information Foraging Theory, the present study examines the relationship ...between FoMO and well-being. Study 1 (107 college students) investigates the relationship between FoMO, social media intensity and social connection. Results find that FoMO is positively associated with social media intensity, but negatively associated with social connection. The mediation tests, interestingly, reveal more positive results regarding FoMO. Specifically, FoMO has a positive indirect effect on social connection through social media intensity, suggesting that FoMO may, in some cases, be a good thing leading to enhanced social connection. Study 2 (458 college students) finds that FoMO impacts subjective well-being both directly (negatively) and indirectly (positively) through its impact on social media intensity and social connection. Results of the two studies reveal a nuanced model of FoMO and its relationships with social media intensity, connection, and well-being. FoMO can have a positive impact on well-being if it leads to social media use that fosters social connection. Study limitations and future research directions are discussed.
This paper introduces boss phubbing (phone snubbing), defined as an employee's perception that his/her immediate supervisor is distracted by his/her smartphone while in their presence, and studies ...its relationship with employee performance. Despite the importance of supervisor-subordinate interactions and the ubiquitous nature of smartphones, research is yet to investigate how smartphones impact important employee outcomes. Three theories are used to undergird the proposed model of relationships between boss phubbing, supervisory trust, job satisfaction, and performance: Reciprocated Social Exchange theory, Expectancy Violations theory, and Social Presence theory. A sequential mediation model was used to examine the relationships between boss phubbing and employee job performance. Two studies of US adults working in a range of industries (n=156, n=181) reveal that boss phubbing has a negative association with employee's job performance through supervisory trust and job satisfaction. Theoretical and practical implications and future research directions are also discussed.
A photocatalytic system for the dearomative hydroarylation of benzene derivatives has been developed. Using a combination of an organic photoredox catalyst and an amine reductant, this process ...operates through a reductive radical-polar crossover mechanism where aryl halide reduction triggers a regioselective radical cyclization event, followed by anion formation and quenching to produce a range of complex spirocyclic cyclohexadienes. This light-driven protocol functions at room temperature in a green solvent system (aq. MeCN) without the need for precious metal-based catalysts or reagents or the generation of stoichiometric metal byproducts.
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations in the spike protein is raising concerns about the efficacy of infection- or vaccine-induced antibodies. We compared antibody binding and live ...virus neutralization of sera from naturally infected and Moderna-vaccinated individuals against two SARS-CoV-2 variants: B.1 containing the spike mutation D614G and the emerging B.1.351 variant containing additional spike mutations and deletions. Sera from acutely infected and convalescent COVID-19 patients exhibited a 3-fold reduction in binding antibody titers to the B.1.351 variant receptor-binding domain of the spike protein and a 3.5-fold reduction in neutralizing antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 variant compared to the B.1 variant. Similar results were seen with sera from Moderna-vaccinated individuals. Despite reduced antibody titers against the B.1.351 variant, sera from infected and vaccinated individuals containing polyclonal antibodies to the spike protein could still neutralize SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351, suggesting that protective humoral immunity may be retained against this variant.
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•Antibodies from infected and vaccinated individuals bind to the B.1.351 RBD•Convalescent sera through eight months can neutralize the B.1.351 variant•Serum from vaccinated individuals retains neutralization against the B.1.351 variant
In this study, Edara et al. (2021) report that, despite reduced antibody binding to the B.1.351 RBD, sera from infected (acute and convalescent) and Moderna (mRNA-1273)-vaccinated individuals were still able to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 variant, suggesting that protective humoral immunity may be retained against this variant.
This study investigates the impact of an increasingly common behavior by supervisors, namely boss phubbing (phone-snubbing). We define boss phubbing (BPhubbing) as the extent to which a supervisor ...uses or is distracted by his/her cell phone while in the presence of subordinates, and examine its impact on supervisory trust and the psychological conditions necessary for employee engagement. Three studies were conducted to test the research hypotheses, using both a continuous measure and a situational prime of BPhubbing. The results reveal that BPhubbing has a negative indirect effect on employee engagement. Specifically, BPhubbing reduces employee engagement by undermining supervisory trust which, in turn, lowers employee engagement via the psychological conditions of meaningfulness and availability. This research offers both theoretical and practical implications regarding how smartphone use, and BPhubbing in particular, may undermine job-related outcomes. The results provide a rich theoretical understanding of the psychological processes through which BPhubbing impacts employee engagement. The findings suggest a need for supervisory training and clear corporate policies regarding smartphone use.
•A nine-item boss phubbing (Phone snubbing) scale is introduced.•Boss phubbing undermines supervisory trust.•Lack of supervisory trust lowers employee engagement.•Boss phubbing has a negative indirect effect on employee engagement.•Kahn's psychological conditions mediate the trust – engagement relationship.
Trachoma is the world's leading cause of infectious blindness. The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed the SAFE strategy in order to eliminate blindness due to trachoma by 2020 through ..."surgery," "antibiotics," "facial cleanliness," and "environmental improvement." While the S and A components have been widely implemented, evidence and specific targets are lacking for the F and E components, of which water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are critical elements. Data on the impact of WASH on trachoma are needed to support policy and program recommendations. Our objective was to systematically review the literature and conduct meta-analyses where possible to report the effects of WASH conditions on trachoma and identify research gaps.
We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Knowledge, MedCarib, Lilacs, REPIDISCA, DESASTRES, and African Index Medicus databases through October 27, 2013 with no restrictions on language or year of publication. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported a measure of the effect of WASH on trachoma, either active disease indicated by observed signs of trachomatous inflammation or Chlamydia trachomatis infection diagnosed using PCR. We identified 86 studies that reported a measure of the effect of WASH on trachoma. To evaluate study quality, we developed a set of criteria derived from the GRADE methodology. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. If three or more studies reported measures of effect for a comparable WASH exposure and trachoma outcome, we conducted a random-effects meta-analysis. We conducted 15 meta-analyses for specific exposure-outcome pairs. Access to sanitation was associated with lower trachoma as measured by the presence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular or trachomatous inflammation-intense (TF/TI) (odds ratio OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75-0.95) and C. trachomatis infection (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.55-0.78). Having a clean face was significantly associated with reduced odds of TF/TI (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.32-0.52), as were facial cleanliness indicators lack of ocular discharge (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.23-0.61) and lack of nasal discharge (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.52-0.72). Facial cleanliness indicators were also associated with reduced odds of C. trachomatis infection: lack of ocular discharge (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.31-0.49) and lack of nasal discharge (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.76). Other hygiene factors found to be significantly associated with reduced TF/TI included face washing at least once daily (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.57-0.96), face washing at least twice daily (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.80-0.90), soap use (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59-0.93), towel use (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.53-0.78), and daily bathing practices (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.53-0.99). Living within 1 km of a water source was not found to be significantly associated with TF/TI or C. trachomatis infection, and the use of sanitation facilities was not found to be significantly associated with TF/TI.
We found strong evidence to support F and E components of the SAFE strategy. Though limitations included moderate to high heterogenity, low study quality, and the lack of standard definitions, these findings support the importance of WASH in trachoma elimination strategies and the need for the development of standardized approaches to measuring WASH in trachoma control programs.
The ubiquitous and omnipresent smartphone has dramatically altered how people communicate. The present research investigates how partner phubbing (phone snubbing) among romantic partners impacts ...relationship satisfaction. Study 1 experimentally manipulates partner phubbing and finds it drives romantic jealousy and relationship satisfaction. Study 2 uses an alternative manipulation of partner phubbing and explores the moderating role of interpersonal attachment anxiety in the relationship between partner phubbing, romantic jealousy, and relationship satisfaction. Study 2 finds that partner phubbing and attachment anxiety have an interactive effect on jealousy, which then leads to relationship satisfaction. Study 3 employs a survey and finds that partner phubbing has downstream negative effects on well-being through romantic jealousy, but only among anxiously attached individuals. The heavy use of technology, especially smartphones, in the presence of one’s romantic partner, and the negative outcomes associated with partner phubbing, establishes the importance of research in this area. Directions for future research and study limitations are discussed.
A social allergen has been defined as “bothersome behavior of others that increases in irritation as a result of repetition and attributions about them.” This study investigates how partner phubbing ...impacts relationship satisfaction among relationship partners. Partner phubbing is shorthand for “partner phone snubbing” and is viewed as a social allergen. The impact of such behavior, however, is predicated upon how the affected partner interprets such behavior. Previous research created a 2 × 2 matrix of social allergens based upon the perceived personal directedness and intentionality of the allergen. Study 1 and 2 results show that adults (n = 250) and college students (n = 213) do not see partner phubbing as being personally directed. In fact, 75% of adults and 82% of college students see partner phubbing as “Uncouth” behavior (not intentional nor perceived as personal). Twenty percent of adults and 16% of college students view partner phubbing as a norm violation (intentional, but not personal). A moderated – mediation regression for each sample found that the relationship between partner phubbing and relationship satisfaction is mediated by perceived relational denigration. When intentionality is high, partner phubbing is associated with higher levels of perceived relational denigration and lower relationship satisfaction.
•Partner phubbing is modelled as a social allergen.•Partner phubbing is considered an Uncouth behavior by most respondents.•Partner phubbing and relationship satisfaction are negatively associated.•Relational denigration acts as a mediator.•Intentionality moderates the partner phubbing – relational denigration relationship.
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