Molecular Beams

Contains report on one research project.Joint Services Electronics Programs (U. S. Army, U. S. Navy, and U. S. Air Force) under Contract DA 28-043-AMC-02536(E

Risk factors for treatment failure and mortality among hospitalized patients with complicated urinary tract infection: A multicenter retrospective cohort study (RESCUING study group)

Background. Complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) are responsible for a major share of all antibiotic consumption in hospitals. We aim to describe risk factors for treatment failure and mortality among patients with cUTIs. Methods. A multinational, multicentre retrospective cohort study, conducted in 20 countries in Europe and the Middle East. Data were collected from patients' files on hospitalised patients with a diagnosis of cUTI during 2013-2014. Primary outcome was treatment failure, secondary outcomes included 30 days all-cause mortality,among other outcomes. Multivariable analysis using a logistic model and the hospital as a random variable was performed to identify independent predictors for these outcomes. Results. A total of 981 patients with cUTI were included. Treatment failure was observed in 26.6% (261/981), all cause 30-day mortality rate was 8.7% (85/976), most of these in patients with catheter related UTI (CaUTI). Risk factors for treatment failure in multivariable analysis were ICU admission (OR 5.07, 95% CI 3.18-8.07), septic shock (OR 1.92, 95% CI 0.93-3.98), corticosteroid treatment (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.12-3.54), bedridden (OR 2.11, 95%CI 1.4-3.18), older age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.0071.03-), metastatic cancer (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.46-5.73) and CaUTI (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.04-2.11). Management variables, such as inappropriate empirical antibiotic treatment or days to starting antibiotics were not associated with treatment failure or 30-day mortality. More patients with pyelonephritis were given appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy than other CaUTI [110/171; 64.3% vs. 116/270; 43%, p <0.005], nevertheless, this afforded no advantage in treatment failure rates nor mortality in these patients. Conclusions. In patients with cUTI we found no benefit of early appropriate empirical treatment on survival rates or other outcomes. Physicians might consider supportive treatment and watchful waiting in stable patients until the causative pathogen is defined

Régulation sociale et gestion des conflits au Caucase du Nord : entre droit coutumier et droit religieux

La cohabitation de deux systèmes de référence de normes juridiques – droit préislamique et droit islamique – est analysée dans cet article sur la base d'enquêtes anthropologiques menées par l'auteure au Caucase du Nord. Centrant son analyse sur la prégnance de l'adat et la façon dont ce dernier se combine aux pratiques islamiques ayant pénétré le territoire ultérieurement, l'auteur souligne le clivage générationnel à l'œuvre dans différentes situations. Alors que certaines traditions avaient été perpétuées au fil des siècles, l'effondrement de l'Union soviétique et l'ouverture des frontières ont donné lieu à une profonde transformation des sociétés nord-caucasiennes tant dans leurs pratiques que dans leur système de références juridiques

Resolving Nitrogen Use by Phytoplankton Communities in a Tidally Influenced Salt Marsh Ecosystem

Phytoplankton groups use different forms of nitrogen (N) and show distinct responses to physical drivers. This study aimed to resolve the N cycling roles of phytoplankton size classes and major taxa in a tidally influenced salt marsh. We used a whole ecosystem 15NO 3– tracer experiment to determine interactions among phytoplankton community structure, N biogeochemistry, and hydrodynamics over an 11-day mid/neap tidal cycle in a salt marsh creek, Plum Island, Massachusetts. During the study period (10 to 20 July, 2016) the creek experienced marsh platform flooding and non-flooding tides. Phytoplankton biomass and δ 15N were quantified for three size classes corresponding to microphytoplankton (microP, 20–200 µm), nanophytoplankton (nanoP, 3–20 µm), and picophytoplankton (picoP, < 3 µm). All three size classes showed minimal direct assimilation of the 15NO3– tracer; however, each size class also used distinct N sources. MicroP appeared to use internal N stores assimilated outside of the estuary throughout the experiment, despite a shift in taxonomic community composition from mid- (diatoms) to neap-cycle (dinoflagellates) as quantified by microscopy. NanoP appeared to switch from internal N stores to recycled 15NH 4+ over the mid/neap cycle, exhibiting maximal biomass and 15N use during the neap tide and flood tides therein. PicoP consistently used recycled N that was largely not derived from the 15N tracer, and they appeared to use different recycled sources during flood versus ebb tide. Our results suggest a dominant role of smaller phytoplankton size classes (picoP and nanoP) in salt marsh N cycling, and possibly increased N transfer through the microbial food web during neap tide. This study also demonstrates changing interactions among phytoplankton communities, physics, and N biogeochemistry over tidal cycles, showing that to understand estuarine planktonic N processing and growth, highly temporally resolved nutrient and physical conditions both within and outside of the estuary need to be considered

Le mécanisme de formation du pluralisme juridique dans le Caucase du Nord (Kabardino-Balkarie et Ossétie du Nord)

The research carried out by the author focuses on the specific development of legal ideology and legal practice in two republics of Northern Caucasus which have a mixed– muslim and christian – population. She analyzes traditional – including legal – social institutions based on customary law and religion. Specific attention is devoted to the coexistence of adat, sharia and the so-called official or State law as well as to the legal mediation of conflicts

Le mécanisme de formation du pluralisme juridique dans le Caucase du Nord (Kabardino-Balkarie et Ossétie du Nord)

La recherche entreprise par l’auteur est consacrée à la spécificité des processus de formation de l’idéologie juridique et de la pratique juridique dans deux républiques du Nord Caucase ayant une population mixte – musulmane et chrétienne. Elle analyse les institutions sociales traditionnelles – y compris juridiques – fondées sur le droit coutumier et sur la religion. L’attention particulière est attirée sur la coexistence de l’adat, la charia et de droit dit officiel, droit d’Etat, aussi bien qu’à la médiation juridique des conflits.The research carried out by the author focuses on the specific development of legal ideology and legal practice in two republics of Northern Caucasus which have a mixed– muslim and christian – population. She analyzes traditional – including legal – social institutions based on customary law and religion. Specific attention is devoted to the coexistence of adat, sharia and the so-called official or State law as well as to the legal mediation of conflicts