The Importance of Time Congruity in the Organisation.

In 1991 Kaufman, Lane, and Lindquist proposed that time congruity in terms of an individual's time preferences and the time use methods of an organisation would lead to satisfactory performance and enhancement of quality of work and general life. The research reported here presents a study which uses commensurate person and job measures of time personality in an organisational setting to assess the effects of time congruity on one aspect of work life, job-related affective well-being. Results show that time personality and time congruity were found to have direct effects on well-being and the influence of time congruity was found to be mediated through time personality, thus contributing to the person–job (P–J) fit literature which suggests that direct effects are often more important than indirect effects. The study also provides some practical examples of ways to address some of the previously cited methodological issues in P–J fit research

Visions for a JACIE quality management system 4.0

Quality management has been part of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from the very beginning. It evolved step-wise from open data exchange up to the introduction of the FACT/JACIE-based quality management system (QMS) 2 decades ago. This formal step has eased cooperation, and improved outcome for patients. Today’s expansion of cellular and targeted therapies and new drugs, and the regulatory requirements for advanced therapeutic medicinal products have touched the limits of the current system. Based on the Medicine 4.0 concept, the next step should integrate novel views of QMS. The old definition “Best Quality Transplant” will be replaced by “Optimal Treatment,” and encompass the entire health care journey. “Best outcome” will refer to overall survival, quality of life and costs, with or without HSCT, and will be compatible with all requirements by competent authorities. Decisions will be based on high-level evidence, supported by real-time digitized data collection, data analysis, incorporated into artificial-intelligence systems. To reach this goal, EBMT/JACIE will be challenged to start the process by further fostering harmonization within and between organizations at institutional, national, and European levels. Acceleration in information technology and modifications to working practices during the pandemic should facilitate this development to the next stage

Blood BTEX levels and neurologic symptoms in Gulf states residents

Background: The chemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) are neuroactive. Exposures often co-occur because they share common sources. We examined neurologic effects of environmental BTEX exposure among U.S. Gulf coast residents taking into account concomitant exposures. Methods: We measured blood concentrations of BTEX in 690 Gulf state residents. Neurologic symptoms were ascertained via telephone interview. We used log-binomial regression to estimate associations between blood BTEX levels and self-reported neurologic symptoms independently for the presence of any neurologic, central (CNS), or peripheral nervous system (PNS) symptoms. We estimated associations in single chemical models mutually adjusted for co-occurring BTEX and used weighted quantile sum regression to model associations between the combined BTEX mixture and neurologic symptoms. Results: Half (49%) of participants reported at least one neurologic symptom. Each BTEX chemical was associated with increased CNS and PNS symptoms in single-chemical models comparing the highest to lowest quartile of exposure. After adjusting for coexposures, benzene was associated with CNS symptoms among all participants (PR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.27, 3.57) and among nonsmokers (PR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.35, 3.91). After adjusting for coexposures, associations with toluene were apparent only for reporting multiple PNS symptoms (PR = 2.00, 95% CI: 0.96, 4.16). In mixture analyses, a one-quartile increase in BTEX exposure was associated with neurologic symptoms (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.98). The weighted quantile sum index weighted benzene most heavily, which was consistent with single chemical analyses. Conclusions: Increasing blood benzene concentration was associated with increased prevalence of CNS symptoms. In this sample, BTEX-associated neurologic effects are likely driven by exposure to benzene and, to a lesser extent, toluene

Study of ATLAS sensitivity to FCNC top decays

The ATLAS experiment sensitivity to top quark Flavour Changing Neutral Current (FCNC) decays was studied at LHC using ttbar events. While one of the top quarks is expected to follow the dominant Standard Model decay t->bW, the other decays through a FCNC channel, i.e. t-> Z u(c), t-> gamma u(c) or t-> g u(c). Different types of analyses, applied to each FCNC decay mode, were compared. The FCNC branching ratio sensitivity (assuming a 5sigma signal significance) and 95% confidence level limits on the branching ratios (in the hypothesis of signal absence) were obtained

Cumulative Disaster Exposure and Mental and Physical Health Symptoms Among a Large Sample of Gulf Coast Residents

A large body of research has linked disaster exposure to adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Few studies, however, have explored the cumulative impact of exposure to multiple disasters. Participants (N = 8,366) from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Gulf Long-Term Follow-Up Study were classified as having been exposed to both, either, or neither Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DHOS). Participants also reported on a range of mental and physical health symptoms. Logistic regression models found that participants who were exposed to both disasters had significantly higher odds of probable generalized anxiety disorder, odds ratio (OR) = 1.72, 95% CI [1.52, 1.96]; major depression, OR = 1.53, 95% CI [1.32, 1.77]; and posttraumatic stress disorder, OR = 2.51, 95% CI [2.03, 3.10], than participants who were exposed to only one disaster, ps <.001. Additionally, a linear regression model found that participants who were exposed to both disasters had significantly more physical health symptoms at the time of the spill than those who were exposed to only one disaster, B = 0.99, SE =.20, p <.001. The results indicate that cumulative disaster exposure confers enhanced risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes. The findings demonstrate that screening for prior exposure among disaster-affected individuals might identify those at greatest risk for adverse health outcomes

Kindlin-1 regulates epidermal growth factor receptor signalling

Kindler syndrome (KS) is an autosomal recessive genodermatosis that results from mutations in the FERMT1 gene encoding kindlin-1. Kindlin-1 localises to focal adhesion and is known to contribute to the activation of integrin receptors. Most cases of KS show a reduction or complete absence of kindlin-1 in keratinocytes, resulting in defective integrin activation, cell adhesion and migration. However, roles for kindlin-1 beyond integrin activation remain poorly defined. In the current study we show that skin and keratinocytes from KS patients have significantly reduced expression levels of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), resulting in defective EGF-dependent signalling and cell migration. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that kindlin-1 can associate directly with EGFR in vitro and in keratinocytes in an EGF-dependent, integrin-independent manner and that formation of this complex is required for EGF-dependent migration. We further demonstrate that kindlin-1 acts to protect EGFR from lysosomal-mediated degradation. This reveals a new role for kindlin-1 that has implications for understanding KS disease pathology

Mental health indicators associated with oil spill response and clean-up: cross-sectional analysis of the GuLF STUDY cohort

Background Adverse mental health effects have been reported following oil spills but few studies have identified specific responsible attributes of the clean-up experience. We aimed to analyse the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (Gulf of Mexico) disaster on the mental health of individuals involved in oil spill response and clean-up. Methods We used data from the Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study, a cohort of workers and volunteers involved in oil spill clean-up after the Deepwater Horizon disaster. We included 8968 workers (hired after completing training for oil spill response and clean-up) and 2225 non-workers (completed training but were not hired) who completed a Patient Health Questionnaire-8 and four-item Primary Care PTSD Screen to assess for probable depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) indicators. Participants were recruited between March 28, 2011, and March 29, 2013. The mental health indicators were assessed at home visits done between May 12, 2011, and May 15, 2013. We used regression models to analyse the effect of potentially stressful job experiences, job type, and total hydrocarbon exposure on mental health indicators. Findings Oil spill response and clean-up work was associated with increased prevalence of depression (prevalence ratio [PR] 1·22, 95% CI 1·08–1·37) and PTSD (PR 1·35, 95% CI 1·07–1·71). Among workers, individuals who reported smelling oil, dispersants, or cleaning chemicals had an elevated prevalence of depression (1·56, 1·37–1·78) and PTSD (2·25, 1·71–2·96). Stopping work because of the heat was also associated with depression (1·37, 1·23–1·53) and PTSD (1·41, 1·15–1·74), as was working as a commercial fisherman before the spill (1·38, 1·21–1·57; and 2·01, 1·58–2·55, respectively). An increase in exposure to total hydrocarbons appeared to be associated with depression and PTSD, but after taking into account oil spill job experiences, only the association between the highest amount of total hydrocarbons and PTSD remained (1·75, 1·11–2·76). Interpretation Oil spill clean-up workers with high amounts of total hydrocarbon exposure or potentially stressful job experiences had an increased prevalence of depression and PTSD. These findings provide evidence that response and clean-up work is associated with adverse psychological effects and suggest the need for mental health services both before and after the event. Funding National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund and the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Benchmarking survival outcomes: a funnel plot for survival data

Benchmarking is commonly used in many healthcare settings to monitor clinical performance, with the aim of increasing cost-effectiveness and safe care of patients. The funnel plot is a popular tool in visualizing the performance of a healthcare center in relation to other centers and to a target, taking into account statistical uncertainty. In this paper, we develop a methodology for constructing funnel plots for survival data. The method takes into account censoring and can deal with differences in censoring distributions across centers. Practical issues in implementing the methodology are discussed, particularly in the setting of benchmarking clinical outcomes for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A simulation study is performed to assess the performance of the funnel plots under several scenarios. Our methodology is illustrated using data from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation benchmarking project

Lung function in oil spill responders 4-6 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster

Oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC) workers were exposed to hazardous airborne chemicals following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The aim of this study was to evaluate lung function in workers 4–6 years following the disaster using a prospective cohort. Participants who completed two spirometry test sessions 1–3 years, and 4–6 years after the spill (N = 1,838) were included and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; ml), forced vital capacity (FVC; ml), and ratio (FEV1/FVC; %) determined. Linear mixed models were utilized to estimate relationships between OSRC exposures and lung function 4–6 years after the spill and changes since the prior measurement. Despite suggestive reduced lung function at 1–3 years, at the 4–6-year exam workers with total hydrocarbon (THC) exposure 1–2.99 ppm and ≥3 ppm compared to those with ≤0.29 ppm exhibited higher FEV1 (β: 108 ml, 95% CI: 17, 198) and (β: 118 ml, 95% CI: 5, 232), respectively. Compared with support workers, those in higher exposed jobs displayed greater improvement in FEV1 between visits: cleanup on water (β: 143 ml, 95% CI: 35, 250), operations (β: 132 ml, 95% CI: 30, 234) and response (β: 149 ml, 95% CI: 43, 256). Greater FEV1 improvement was also associated with higher versus the lowest level THC exposure: 1–2.99 ppm (β: 134 ml, 95% CI: 57, 210) and ≥3 ppm (β: 205 ml, 95% CI: 109, 301). Lung function decrements seen shortly after the spill were no longer apparent 4–6 years later, with the greatest improvement among those with the highest exposures