Efficacy of Common Antimicrobial Interventions at and above Regulatory Allowable Pick-Up Levels on Pathogen Reduction.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the food safety efficacy of common antimicrobial interventions at and above required uptake levels for processing aids on the reduction of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella spp. through spray and dip applications. Beef trim was inoculated with specific isolates of STEC or Salmonella strains. Trim was intervened with peracetic or lactic acid through spray or dip application. Meat rinses were serially diluted and plated following the drop dilution method; an enumerable range of 2-30 colonies was used to report results before log transformation. The combination of all treatments exhibits an average reduction rate of 0.16 LogCFU/g for STEC and Salmonella spp., suggesting that for every 1% increase in uptake there is an increase of 0.16 LogCFU/g of reduction rate. There is a statistical significance in the reduction rate of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli in relation to the uptake percentage (p < 0.01). The addition of explanatory variables increases the R2 of the regression for STEC, where all the additional explanatory variables are statistically significant for reduction (p < 0.01). The addition of explanatory variables increases the R2 of the regression for Salmonella spp., but only trim type is statistically significant for reduction rate (p < 0.01). An increase in uptake percentages showed a significant increase in reduction rate of pathogens on beef trimmings.

Shelf-Life Evaluation of Pork Loins as Influenced by the Application of Different Antimicrobial Interventions.

The objective of the study was to determine the impact of antimicrobial interventions and refrigerated dark storage on the shelf-life of pork chops. Boneless pork loins (n = 36) were split and stored for 1, 14, 28, and 42 days at 2-4 °C after being treated with the following antimicrobials: water (WAT), Bovibrom 225 ppm (BB225), Bovibrom 500 ppm (BB500), Fit Fresh 3 ppm (FF3), or washing solution 750 ppm (WS750). After the end of dark storage, pork loins were further processed and sliced into chops, overwrapped in trays, and displayed for up to an additional 96 h in a retail case. Instrumental and visual color measurements as well as mesophilic and psychrotrophic aerobic bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria were measured. BB500 and FF3 performed better in inhibiting the growth of indicator bacteria under 6 logs; however, FF3 presented the best stability for color during storage. Principal component analysis clustered initial dark storage days with a* and chroma while % discoloration, hue, b* and microorganisms where clustered with longer dark storage times. In general, treatment FF3 presented the best performance, both in inhibiting microbial growth and maintaining the stability of color, thus increasing the shelf-life of pork loins.

COVID-19 Vaccine Demand and Financial Incentives.

BACKGROUND: Public health experts estimate that only very high COVID-19 vaccine uptake levels can result in herd immunity. OBJECTIVE: This study's main objective was to evaluate the impact of vaccine price levels, including payments, and the efficacy levels on COVID-19 vaccine demand. METHODS: Data for this study were collected from an online survey of 2000 US individuals aged 18 years and older, which included a set of contingent valuation questions. Parametric and nonparametric procedures were used to estimate the distribution of willingness-to-pay and willingness-to-accept values for the vaccine and to assess its association with vaccine efficacy levels (50, 70, and 95%). RESULTS: Most of the individuals (60%) indicated they were willing to pay a positive amount for the vaccine; 13.7% said they would only accept the vaccine if it were free; 14.1% were willing to take the vaccine only if they were paid; and 12.2% were not willing to accept the vaccine. The vaccine efficacy level was found to affect an individual's demand for the vaccine. Estimated mean willingness-to-pay values were: US$594, US$706, and US$723 for vaccines with efficacy levels of 50, 70, and 95%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: US individuals highly value the COVID-19 vaccine, and about 88% of the US population would accept the vaccination; however, 14% indicated they would get vaccinated if compensated. Payments of about US$500 or more would be needed to sufficiently incentivize 50% or more of this group vaccinated.

Perceived Risks of Infection, Hospitalization, and Death From COVID-19 at the Equator: Ecuador and Kenya.

OBJECTIVES: This study's goal was to determine the perceived risks of infection as well as the perceived risks of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 in Ecuador and Kenya. It also assessed the factors associated with the risk-related perceptions. METHODS: Cross-sectional studies with samples from the adult populations in both countries were conducted to assess the perceived risks of contracting COVID-19. Data were collected online using the Qualtrics platform (Qualtrics, Provo, Utah, United States) from samples of 1050 heads of households, aged 18 years or older, in each country. A total of 3 statistical analyses were conducted: summary statistics, correlation, and linear regression. RESULTS: The average perceived risks of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death in the Kenyan sample were 27.1%, 43.2%, and 17.2%, respectively, and the values for the Ecuadorian sample were 34%, 32.8%, and 23.3%, respectively. The Pearson's correlation coefficients between the risk measures in each country were less than 0.38. Risk measures were associated with several sociodemographic variables (e.g., income, gender, location), but not with age. CONCLUSIONS: The perceived risks of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death in Kenya and Ecuador were significantly higher relative to the statistics reported; however, no strong association existed between perceived risk and age, which is a key factor in adverse health outcomes, including death, among COVID-19 infected individuals.

The demand for a COVID-19 vaccine in Kenya.

The goal of achieving herd immunity to the coronavirus requires high vaccination acceptance levels on the part of the population. The objectives of this study were to: 1) Measure individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) for a COVID-19 vaccine in Kenya; 2) evaluate the effect of vaccine characteristics (duration of protection and efficacy) and individuals' socioeconomic variables on WTP, and 3) estimate the aggregate demand and economic value of a COVID-19 vaccine. The contingent valuation (CV) method was used as the basis for the analyses. Data for this study were obtained from a survey of 1,050 individuals in Kenya conducted from April 7 to April 15, 2020. The survey included CV questions using a double-bounded dichotomous choice format. Results reveal that most of the individuals in Kenya (at least 96%) were willing to accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Approximately 80% of individuals were willing to pay a positive amount. Conservative estimates of individuals' mean WTP for the vaccine range from USD 49.81 to USD 68.25 (depending on vaccine characteristics). Both vaccine duration of protection and efficacy were found to influence WTP (p < .10). The perceived probability of being hospitalized, age, gender, education, location and region of residence, and household income were also found to be associated with WTP for the vaccine (p < .10). In conclusion, the COVID-19 vaccine is highly valued and accepted by the Kenyan population; however, a high percent of the population is unwilling to pay for it or is only willing to pay a low price.

The demand for a COVID-19 vaccine in Ecuador.

In Latin America, the country of Ecuador was one of the first and most severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the demand for a COVID-19 vaccine in Ecuador by estimating individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) for the vaccine, and by assessing the effect of vaccine attributes (duration of protection and efficacy) and individuals' characteristics on this valuation. The sample used (N = 1,050) was obtained through an online survey conducted from April 2 to April 7, 2020. Two levels of vaccine efficacy (70% and 98%) and two levels of vaccine duration of protection (1 and 20 years) were considered. The willingness to pay estimates were obtained using a double-bounded dichotomous-choice contingent valuation format. Survey results show that a very large proportion of individuals (at least 97%) were willing to accept a COVID-19 vaccine, and at least 85% of individuals were willing to pay a positive amount for that vaccine. Conservative estimates of the average WTP values ranged from USD 147.61 to 196.65 and the median WTP from USD 76.9 to 102.5. Only the duration of protection was found to influence individuals' WTP for the vaccine (p < 0.01). On average, respondents were willing to pay 30% more for a COVID-19 vaccine with 20 years of protection relative to the vaccine with 1 year of protection. Regression results show that WTP for the vaccine was associated with income, employment status, the perceived probability of needing hospitalization if contracting the virus causing COVID-19, and region of residence.

Análisis del trabajo juvenil femenino / Analysis of female youth work

En este artículo la aplicación del modelo de "Análisis de la dinámica enunciativa" desarrollado por María Cristina Martínez (2005; 2007; 2008), en relación con los problemas que afrontan mujeres jóvenes y niñas trabajadoras informales, conlleva a efectuar varios tipos de reflexión. Se examinan las condiciones históricas de valoración y ubicación social del trabajo femenino y sus condiciones actuales. Es analizada la pertinencia y aportes que algunas perspectivas de análisis histórico del discurso pueden ofrecer para el análisis de este tipo de situaciones. Finalmente, se efectúan observaciones en cuanto a alcances y límites de un artículo sobre el tema, e igualmente del modelo en mención. Sobre dicho modelo, se llama la atención acerca de las posibilidades de ampliar sus alcances, enriqueciéndolo con miradas críticas, reflexivas, que contemplen el carácter histórico y contextual y principalmente político que afecta las situaciones consideradas.

In this article the application of the "Analysis of the Dynamics Declarative" model, developed by Martínez (2005; 2007; 2008), to the problems faced by young women and girls doing informal work, leads to various types of reflection. Historical conditions of evaluation and the social placement of female labor and its present conditions are examined. The relevance and contributions of historical discourse analysis offered by some viewpoints in the analysis of this type of situation are analyzed. Finally, observations are made on the scope and limitations of an article on the subject and of the model under discussion. With regard to this model, attention is required to the possibilities of broadening its scope, enriching it with critical, reflexive viewpoints, which contemplate the historical and contextual, and mainly political, character which affects the situations under discussion.

Em este artigo, a aplicação do modelo de "Análise da dinâmica enunciativa", desenvolvido por Martínez (2005; 2007; 2008), em relação com os problemas que afrontam mulheres jovens e meninas trabalhadoras informais, conduz a efetuar várias formas de reflexão. São examinadas as condições históricas de valoração e localização social do trabalho feminino e suas condições atuais. É analisada a pertinência e aportes que algumas perspectivas de analise histórico do discurso podem oferecer para a análise de estas situações. Finalmente, foram efetuadas observações em quanto a os alcances e limites de um artigo sobre o tema, e igualmente do modelo mencionado. Sobre este modelo, chamam à atenção as possibilidades de ampliar seus alcances, enriquecendo ele com observações críticas, reflexivas, que contemplem o caráter histórico, contextual e principalmente político que afeta as situações consideradas.