Trust in the research community predicts intent to comply with COVID-19 prevention measures: An analysis of a large-scale international survey dataset

In the present study, I explored the relationship between people's trust in different agents related to prevention of spread of COVID-19 and their compliance with pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical preventive measures. The COVIDiSTRESSII Global Survey dataset, which was collected from international samples, was analysed to examine the aforementioned relationship across different countries. For data-driven exploration, network analysis and Bayesian generalized linear model (GLM) analysis were performed. The result from network analysis demonstrated that trust in the scientific research community was most central in the network of trust and compliance. In addition, the outcome from Bayesian GLM analysis indicated that the same factor, trust in the scientific research community, was most fundamental in predicting participants' intent to comply with both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical preventive measures. I briefly discussed the implications of the findings, the importance of trust in the scientific research community in explaining people's compliance with measure to prevent spread of COVID-19.

Exploring the Association between Compliance with Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 and Big Five Traits with Bayesian Generalized Linear Model

Research has examined the association between people’s compliance with measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and personality traits. However, previous studies were conducted with relatively small-size datasets and employed frequentist analysis that does not allow data-driven model exploration. To address the limitations, a large-scale international dataset, COVIDiSTRESS Global Survey dataset, was explored with Bayesian generalized linear model that enables identification of the best regression model. The best regression models predicting participants’ compliance with Big Five traits were explored. The findings demonstrated first, all Big Five traits, except extroversion, were positively associated with compliance with general measures and distancing. Second, neuroticism, extroversion, and agreeableness were positively associated with the perceived cost of complying with the measures while conscientiousness showed negative association. The findings and the implications of the present study were discussed.

Efficacy of Fenbendazole and Ivermectin against Trichuris spp. in African Green Monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) in Barbados West Indies

Trichuris spp. are common helminths in NHP, and benzimidazoles and avermectins have both been used to treat theseintestinal parasites. The current study compared the efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin against natural infection ofTrichuris spp. in African green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus). Anthelmintic-naive animals (n = 65) were randomly assignedto 4 groups: an untreated control group, and 3 groups treated with either fenbendazole, ivermectin, or both compounds. Fecalsamples were collected before treatment and on days 7, 14, 28, and 60 after treatment, and fecal egg counts (FEC) were determined by using fecal flotation. The mean percentages of FEC reduction at day 60 were 100%, 86%, and 100% for treatmentwith fenbendazole, ivermectin, and both compounds, respectively. Analyzing the time series of FEC by using a Bayesian generalized linear model showed no significant difference in the proportional reduction in FEC among the 3 treatment groups, although all FEC from treated groups were significantly lower than the FEC of the control group. In contrast, the probability of shedding was highest in the ivermectin group and the lowest in the animals treated with both compounds. The probability of shedding differed significantly between the fenbendazole and ivermectin groups and between the ivermectin and combined-treatment groups. In conclusion, both fenbendazole and ivermectin are effective anthelmintics in treating Trichuris spp. infection in African green monkeys. All treatment groups showed significant reductions in FEC when compared with baseline counts and control animals; however, fenbendazole may be more effective than ivermectin when used solely or in combination with other anthelmintic treatments.

Beyond redistribution: In-stream habitat restoration increases capacity for young-of-the-year Chinook salmon and steelhead in the Entiat River, WA

We conducted snorkel surveys for juvenile salmonids in reaches of the Entiat River (Washington, USA) treated with engineered log jams (ELJs), and in reaches without treatments, to determine if habitat-unit-scale observations can identify whether restoration has increased the habitat capacity of a reach. The conceptual basis and field methodology emphasize fish density data (fish/habitat area in m2) from unrestored habitat within a reach treated with ELJs compared to surveys in 1) unrestored habitat in untreated reaches and 2) restored habitat in treated reaches. A Bayesian generalized linear model enabled us to quantify density differences among habitat types using advanced computational statistics. Modal density of young-of-the-year Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss) was at least 3.1-fold and 2.7-fold greater, respectively, in restored habitat compared with unrestored habitat for all treated reaches examined. To distinguish the density differences in those reaches as capacity increases rather than redistribution from poor habitat to good habitat, we compared density in unrestored habitat in both treated and untreated reaches. Here we found no differences for either species, confirming that the increased density in restored habitat units did not come from depletion of unrestored habitat in the same reach. We thus concluded that restoration increased the habitat capacity of the reach at the scale of pools created by ELJs.