A biogeographic 16S rRNA survey of bacterial communities of ureolytic biomineralization from California public restrooms

In this study, we examined the total bacterial community associated with ureolytic biomineralization from urine drainage systems. Biomineral samples were obtained from 11 California Department of Transportation public restrooms fitted with waterless, low-flow, or conventional urinals in 2019. Following high throughput 16S rRNA Illumina sequences processed using the DADA2 pipeline, the microbial diversity assessment of 169 biomineral and urine samples resulted in 3,869 reference sequences aggregated as 598 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Using PERMANOVA testing, we found strong, significant differences between biomineral samples grouped by intrasystem sampling location and urinal type. Biomineral microbial community profiles and alpha diversities differed significantly when controlling for sampling season. Observational statistics revealed that biomineral samples obtained from waterless urinals contained the largest ureC/16S gene copy ratios and were the least diverse urinal type in terms of Shannon indices. Waterless urinal biomineral samples were largely dominated by the Bacilli class (86.1%) compared to low-flow (41.3%) and conventional samples (20.5%), and had the fewest genera that account for less than 2.5% relative abundance per OTU. Our findings are useful for future microbial ecology studies of urine source-separation technologies, as we have established a comparative basis using a large sample size and study area.

Čimbenici otpornosti i iskustvo vršnjačkog nasilja

Svrha je ovog rada utvrditi doprinos čimbenika otpornosti u objašnjenju doživljenog vršnjačkog nasilja kao temelju planiranja znanstveno utemeljenih intervencija za promociju pozitivnog razvoja/prevenciju rizičnih ponašanja mladih. Istraživanje je provedeno na uzorku od 1647 adolescenata iz Varaždinske županije, a raspon dobi kreće se od 14 do 19 godina. Za potrebe ovog rada korišten je Upitnik o demografskim podacima (izrađen za potrebe projekta), CTC Upitnik za učenike (Mihić, Novak i Bašić, 2010) i Modificirana verzija Resilience and Youth Development Module (California Department of Education, 1997). U svrhu ostvarivanja cilja ovog istraživanja od statističkih metoda i analiza korištena je logistička regresijska analiza. Provedenom logističkom regresijskom analizom utvrđeno je da se na temelju spola, dobi, individualnih čimbenika otpornosti (suradnja i komunikacija, samoučinkovitost, empatija, rješavanja problema, samosvijest, ciljevi i aspiracije), čimbenika otpornosti u okruženju vršnjaka (visoka očekivanja – prosocijalni vršnjaci, brižni odnosi), čimbenika otpornosti u obiteljskom okruženju (visoka očekivanja, brižni odnosi, smislena uključenost) te čimbenika otpornosti u zajednici (visoka očekivanja, brižni odnosi, smislena uključenost) zajedno može objasniti 13,8% doživljenog vršnjačkog nasilja barem jednom u posljednja četiri tjedna. Prediktori koji povećavaju vjerojatnost doživljenog vršnjačkog nasilja jesu ženski spol i empatija. S druge strane prediktori koji smanjuju vjerojatnost doživljenog vršnjačkog nasilja jesu suradnja i komunikacija, samoučinkovitost, visoka očekivanja – prosocijalni vršnjaci te brižni odnosi s vršnjacima i u obiteljskom okruženju.

A descriptive analysis of 2020 California Occupational Safety and Health Administration COVID-19-related complaints

COVID-19 mortality disproportionately affected specific occupations and industries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protects the health and safety of workers by setting and enforcing standards for working conditions. Workers may file OSHA complaints about unsafe conditions. Complaints may indicate poor workplace safety during the pandemic. We evaluated COVID-19-related complaints filed with California (Cal)/OSHA between January 1, 2020 and December 14, 2020 across seven industries. To assess whether workers in occupations with high COVID-19-related mortality were also most likely to file Cal/OSHA complaints, we compared industry-specific per-capita COVID-19 confirmed deaths from the California Department of Public Health with COVID-19-related complaints. Although 7,820 COVID-19-related complaints were deemed valid by Cal/OSHA, only 627 onsite inspections occurred and 32 citations were issued. Agricultural workers had the highest per-capita COVID-19 death rates (402 per 100,000 workers) but were least represented among workplace complaints (44 per 100,000 workers). Health Care workers had the highest complaint rates (81 per 100,000 workers) but the second lowest COVID-19 death rate (81 per 100,000 workers). Industries with the highest inspection rates also had high COVID-19 mortality. Our findings suggest complaints are not proportional to COVID-19 risk. Instead, higher complaint rates may reflect worker groups with greater empowerment, resources, or capacity to advocate for better protections. This capacity to advocate for safe workplaces may account for relatively low mortality rates in potentially high-risk occupations. Future research should examine factors determining worker complaints and complaint systems to promote participation of those with the greatest need of protection.

Handgun purchasing characteristics and firearm suicide risk: a nested case–control study

Background Firearms are the most lethal method of suicide and account for approximately half of all suicide deaths nationwide. We describe associations between firearm purchasing characteristics and firearm suicide. Methods Data on all legal handgun transactions in California from 1996 to 2015 were obtained from the California Department of Justice Dealer’s Record of Sale database. Handgun purchasers were linked to mortality data to identify those who died between 1996 and 2015. To account for variation in timing and duration of observation time, analyses were stratified by birth cohort. The primary analysis focused on those aged 21–25 in 1996. A secondary analysis tested associations among those aged 50–54 in 1996. Using incidence density sampling, purchasers who died by firearm suicide (cases) were each gender-matched to 5 purchasers (controls) who remained at risk at the case’s time of death. We examined the characteristics of purchasers and transactions, focusing on the transaction closest in time to the case’s death. Data were analyzed with conditional logistic regression. Results There were 390 firearm suicides among the younger cohort and 512 firearm suicides among the older cohort. Across both cohorts, older age at first purchase and the purchase of a revolver were associated with greater risk of firearm suicide. For example, among the younger cohort, those who purchased a revolver versus semiautomatic pistol had 1.78 times the risk of firearm suicide (95% CI 1.32, 2.40) in multivariable models. Other associations varied across cohorts, suggesting cohort or age effects in purchasing patterns. Conclusions Findings add to the evidence on firearm suicide risk and may help inform prevention strategies and future research.

Potemkin Protections: Assessing Provider Directory Accuracy and Timely Access for Four Specialties in California

Context: Accurate provider directories and whether consumers can schedule timely appointments are crucial determinants of health access and outcomes. We assessed whether consumers can rely on provider directories to find in-network primary care providers, cardiologists, endocrinologists, and gastroenterologists for 2018 and 2019 for all managed care plans in California and whether they can access these providers in a timely manner. Method: We used large, random, and representative surveys of provider directories for all managed care plans in California for four specialties obtained from the California Department of Managed Health Care with a total of 657,012 observations (290,711 for 2018 and 475,524 for 2019). Findings: Surveys were able to verify provider directory entries for the four specialties for 59% to 76% of listings or 78% to 88% of providers reached. Moreover, we found that consumers were able to schedule urgent care appointments for 28% to 54% of listings or 44% to 72% of appropriately listed providers. For general care appointments, the percentages ranged from 35% to 64% of listed providers or 51% to 87% of appropriately listed providers. Differences across markets were generally small related to accuracy. Medi-Cal plans outperformed other markets with regards to timely access. Primary care consistently outperformed all other specialties. Timely access rates were higher for general appointments than for urgent care appointments. Conclusions: Despite the fact that California is one of the most active and well-resourced regulators in the nation, we found concerning results for consumers when it comes to locating in-network providers and gaining timely access. This raises questions about the regulatory regime as well as consumer access and health outcomes.

Generalized dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton equinum in 8 juvenile black bears in California

From 2014–2019, 8 juvenile black bears ( Ursus americanus) from different geographic regions were presented to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife because of emaciation, alopecia, and exfoliative dermatitis that resulted in death or euthanasia. Autopsy and histopathology revealed that all 8 bears had generalized hyperkeratotic dermatitis, folliculitis, and furunculosis. Skin structures were heavily colonized by fungal hyphae and arthrospores; fungal cultures of skin from 7 bears yielded Trichophyton equinum, a zoophilic dermatophyte reported only rarely in non-equid species. Additional skin conditions included mites (5), ticks (2), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus sp. infections (2). No other causes of morbidity or mortality were identified. Molecular comparisons performed at the University of Texas Fungal Reference Laboratory determined that all isolates produced identical banding patterns, potentially representing a clonal population. Dermatophytosis is commonly localized and limited to the stratum corneum of the epidermis and hair follicles. Generalized disease with dermal involvement is rare in immunocompetent individuals; illness, malnutrition, age, or immunosuppression may increase susceptibility. Underlying causes for the severe disease impact in these bears were not evident after physical or postmortem examination. The mechanism by which bears from different geographic locations had severe, T. equinum–associated dermatophytosis from a potentially clonal dermatophyte could not be explained and warrants further investigation.

Crash and disengagement data of autonomous vehicles on public roads in California

Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) are being widely tested on public roads in several countries such as the USA, Canada, France, Germany, and Australia. For the transparent deployment of AVs in California, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (CA DMV) commissioned AV manufacturers to draft and publish reports on disengagements and crashes. These reports must be processed before any statistical analysis, which is cumbersome and time-consuming. Our dataset presents the processed disengagement data from 2014 to 2019, crash data till the 10th of March 2020 and supplementary road network and land-use data extracted from OpenStreetMap. Primary data are manually assessed and converted into an easily processed format. Our processed data will be advantageous to the research community and enable accelerated research in this domain. For example, the data can be utilised to discern trends in disengagement, observe the distribution of disengagement causes, and investigate the contributory factors of the crashes. Such investigations can subsequently improve the reporting protocols and make policies and laws for the smooth deployment of this disruptive technology.

Uptake of Covid–19 vaccines among frontline workers in California state prisons

Background Prisons are high–risk environments for Covid–19. Vaccination levels among prison staff remain troublingly low – lower than levels among residents and members of the surrounding community. The situation is troubling because prison staff are a key vector for Covid–19 transmission. Objective To assess patterns and timing of staff vaccination in California state prisons and identify individual– and community–level factors associated with being unvaccinated. Design We calculated fractions of prison staff and incarcerated residents in California state prisons who remained unvaccinated. Adjusted analyses identified demographic, community, and peer factors associated with vaccination uptake among staff. Setting California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation prisons. Participants Custody and healthcare staff who worked in direct contact with residents. Main Outcomes and Measures Remaining unvaccinated through June 30, 2021. Results A total of 26 percent of custody staff and 52 percent of healthcare staff took ≥ 1 dose in the first two months of vaccine offer; uptake stagnated thereafter. By June 30, 2021, 61 percent of custody and 37 percent of healthcare staff remained unvaccinated. Remaining unvaccinated was positively associated with younger age, prior Covid–19, residing in a community with relatively low vaccination rates, and sharing shifts with co–workers who had relatively low vaccination rates. Conclusions and Relevance Vaccine uptake among prison staff in California in regular contact with incarcerated residents has plateaued at levels that pose ongoing risks – both of further outbreaks in the prisons and transmission into surrounding communities. Staff decisions to forego vaccination appear to be complex and multifactorial. Achieving safe levels of vaccine protection among frontline staff may necessitate requiring vaccination as condition of employment.

Modeling the past, present, and future distributions of endangered white abalone (Haliotis sorenseni) to inform recovery efforts in California

White abalone (Haliotis sorenseni) was once commonly found in coastal waters of the Southern California Bight (SCB) and south to Punta Abreojos, Baja California, Mexico. During the 1970s, white abalone supported a commercial fishery, which reduced the population and resulted in the closure of the fishery in 1996. When population levels continued to decline, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) listed the species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and NMFS began surveying the wild populations, propagating specimens in captivity, and protecting its seabed habitat. We modeled coarse-scale (17 x 17 km) historical (using fishery-dependent data [1955–1996]) and contemporary (using fishery-independent data [1996–2017]) distributions of white abalone throughout its historical domain using random forests and maximum entropy (MaxEnt), respectively, and its fine-scale (10 x 10 m) contemporary distribution (fishery-independent data) using MaxEnt. We also investigated potential outplanting habitat farther north under two scenarios of future climate conditions. The coarse-scale models identified potential regions to focus outplanting efforts within SCB while fine-scale models can inform population monitoring and outplanting activities in these particular areas. These models predict that areas north of Point Conception may become candidate outplant sites as seawater temperatures continue to rise in the future due to climate change. Collectively, these results provide guidance on the design and potential locations for experimental outplanting at such locations to ultimately improve methods and success of recovery efforts.

Trends in Homeschooling Rates Following Elimination of Nonmedical Exemptions to Childhood Immunizations, 2012-2020

Introduction: In 2015 California passed Senate Bill No. 277 (SB 277) and became the first state in over 30 years to eliminate nonmedical exemptions to mandatory childhood immunizations for school entry. One concern that emerged was that the law created an incentive for parents to remove children from brick-and-mortar schools to bypass the immunization requirements. Objective: To assess the impact of eliminating nonmedical exemptions to childhood immunizations on homeschooling rates. Design: Pre-Post Intervention study. We calculated homeschooling rates as the number of K-8 students enrolled through each of California's three homeschooling mechanisms (Independent Study Program, Private School Affidavit, and Private School Satellite Program) divided by all K-8 students enrolled in the same academic year. Data on homeschooling rates was obtained from the California Department of Education. We then conducted an interrupted time series analyses in which the outcome variable was percent of students enrolled in a homeschool program pre- and post-SB 277. Setting: California homeschools Participants: K-8 students enrolled through each of the state's three homeschooling mechanisms (Independent Study Program, Private School Affidavit, and Private School Satellite Program) Intervention: Passage of SB 277 which eliminated nonmedical exemptions to childhood immunizations for school entry Main Outcome: K-8 homeschooling rates Results: The homeschooling enrollment for K-8 students in California increased from 0.8% (35,122 students) during SY 2012-13 to 1.9% (86,574 students) during SY 2019-20; however, we found no significant increase in the percent of students enrolled in homeschooling programs in California following the implementation of SB 277 beyond the secular trend. Conclusions and Relevance: Legislative action to limit nonmedical exemptions to compulsory vaccination for school entry is not associated with removal from classroom-based instruction in brick-and-mortar institutions.