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Are healthcare personnel at higher risk of seasonal influenza than other working adults?
Brenda L. Coleman, Stefan P. Kuster, Kevin Katz, Mark Loeb, Shelly A. McNeil, Matthew P. Muller, Jeff Powis, Andrew Simor, Kristy K. L. Coleman, Todd Hatchette, Allison McGeer, for the Canadian Healthcare Worker Study Group
Journal: Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology / Volume 41 / Issue 3 / March 2020
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 December 2019, pp. 267-272
Print publication: March 2020
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Background: Adults are at risk of being exposed to influenza from many sources. Healthcare personnel (HCP) have the additional risk of being exposed to ill patients.
Objective:
To determine whether HCP were at higher risk than adults working in nonhealthcare roles (non-HCP).
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Setting:
Acute-care hospitals and other businesses in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Methods:
Adults aged 18–69 years were enrolled for 1 or more of the 2010/2011, 2011/2012, and 2012/2013 influenza seasons. Swabs collected during acute respiratory illnesses were tested for influenza and pre- and postseason blood samples were tested for influenza-specific immune response.
Results:
The adjusted odds of influenza were similar for HCP and non-HCP (odds ratio [OR], 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–2.63). Older adults and those vaccinated against influenza had lower odds, and those who shared their workspace and who used corrective eyewear had higher odds of influenza.
Conclusions:
HCP and other working adults are at similar risk of influenza infection.

Chapter 2 - The Intertidal Zone of the North-East Atlantic Region

By Stephen J. Hawkins, Kathryn E. Pack, Louise B. Firth, Nova Mieszkowska, Ally J. Evans, Gustavo M. Martins, Per Åberg, Leoni C. Adams, Francisco Arenas, Diana M. Boaventura, Katrin Bohn, C. Debora G. Borges, João J. Castro, Ross A. Coleman, Tasman P. Crowe, Teresa Cruz, Mark S. Davies, Graham Epstein, João Faria, João G. Ferreira, Natalie J. Frost, John N. Griffin, ME Hanley, Roger J. H. Herbert, Kieran Hyder, Mark P. Johnson, Fernando P. Lima, Patricia Masterson-Algar, Pippa J. Moore, Paula S. Moschella, Gillian M. Notman, Federica G. Pannacciulli, Pedro A. Ribeiro, Antonio M. Santos, Ana C. F. Silva, Martin W. Skov, Heather Sugden, Maria Vale, Kringpaka Wangkulangkul, Edward J. G. Wort, Richard C. Thompson, Richard G. Hartnoll, Michael T. Burrows, Stuart R. Jenkins

Edited by Stephen J. Hawkins, Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Plymouth, Katrin Bohn, Louise B. Firth, University of Plymouth, Gray A. Williams, The University of Hong Kong
Book: Interactions in the Marine Benthos
Published online: 07 September 2019
Print publication: 29 August 2019, pp 7-46
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Summary

The rocky shores of the north-east Atlantic have been long studied. Our focus is from Gibraltar to Norway plus the Azores and Iceland. Phylogeographic processes shape biogeographic patterns of biodiversity. Long-term and broadscale studies have shown the responses of biota to past climate fluctuations and more recent anthropogenic climate change. Inter- and intra-specific species interactions along sharp local environmental gradients shape distributions and community structure and hence ecosystem functioning. Shifts in domination by fucoids in shelter to barnacles/mussels in exposure are mediated by grazing by patellid limpets. Further south fucoids become increasingly rare, with species disappearing or restricted to estuarine refuges, caused by greater desiccation and grazing pressure. Mesoscale processes influence bottom-up nutrient forcing and larval supply, hence affecting species abundance and distribution, and can be proximate factors setting range edges (e.g., the English Channel, the Iberian Peninsula). Impacts of invasive non-native species are reviewed. Knowledge gaps such as the work on rockpools and host–parasite dynamics are also outlined.

Which healthcare workers work with acute respiratory illness? Evidence from Canadian acute-care hospitals during 4 influenza seasons: 2010–2011 to 2013–2014
Lili Jiang, Allison McGeer, Shelly McNeil, Kevin Katz, Mark Loeb, Matthew P. Muller, Andrew Simor, Jeff Powis, Philipp Kohler, Julia M. Di Bella, Brenda L. Coleman, for the Canadian Healthcare Worker Study Group
Journal: Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology / Volume 40 / Issue 8 / August 2019
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 June 2019, pp. 889-896
Print publication: August 2019
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Background:
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of acquiring and transmitting respiratory viruses while working in healthcare settings.
Objectives:
To investigate the incidence of and factors associated with HCWs working during an acute respiratory illness (ARI).
Methods:
HCWs from 9 Canadian hospitals were prospectively enrolled in active surveillance for ARI during the 2010–2011 to 2013–2014 influenza seasons. Daily illness diaries during ARI episodes collected information on symptoms and work attendance.
Results:
At least 1 ARI episode was reported by 50.4% of participants each study season. Overall, 94.6% of ill individuals reported working at least 1 day while symptomatic, resulting in an estimated 1.9 days of working while symptomatic and 0.5 days of absence during an ARI per participant season. In multivariable analysis, the adjusted relative risk of working while symptomatic was higher for physicians and lower for nurses relative to other HCWs. Participants were more likely to work if symptoms were less severe and on the illness onset date compared to subsequent days. The most cited reason for working while symptomatic was that symptoms were mild and the HCW felt well enough to work (67%). Participants were more likely to state that they could not afford to stay home if they did not have paid sick leave and were younger.
Conclusions:
HCWs worked during most episodes of ARI, most often because their symptoms were mild. Further data are needed to understand how best to balance the costs and risks of absenteeism versus those associated with working while ill.

Integrating exploratory data analytics into ReaxFF parameterization
Efraín Hernández-Rivera, Souma Chowdhury, Shawn P. Coleman, Payam Ghassemi, Mark A. Tschopp
Journal: MRS Communications / Volume 8 / Issue 3 / September 2018
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 September 2018, pp. 1300-1310
Print publication: September 2018
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We present a systematic approach to refine hyperdimensional interatomic potentials, which is showcased on the ReaxFF formulation. The objective of this research is to utilize the relationship between interatomic potential input variables and objective responses (e.g., cohesive energy) to identify and explore suitable parameterizations for the boron carbide (B–C) system. Through statistical data analytics, ReaxFF's parametric complexity was overcome via dimensional reduction (55 parameters) while retaining enough degrees of freedom to capture most of the variability in responses. Two potentials were identified which improved on an existing parameterization for the objective set if interest, showcasing the framework's capabilities.