Low specificity of the bacterial index for the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia by bronchoalveolar lavage

The bacterial index (BI) as defined by the sum of log10 colony-forming units (cfu) of microorganisms per milliliter of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, i.e., a multiplication of the single cfu/ml, has been used to distinguish between polymicrobial pneumonia (BI≥5) and colonization (BI<5). Since many false-positive results are to be expected using this parameter, the diagnostic value of the BI was studied prospectively by obtaining bacteriologic cultures of BAL fluid in 165 consecutive unselected patients. In 27 cases the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia was established on clinical criteria. In 133 patients pneumonia could be excluded, and in five patients the diagnosis remained unclear. Using a cut-off of ≥105 cfu/ml BAL fluid, sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of pneumonia were 33% (9/27) and 99% (132/133), respectively. Sensitivity was mainly influenced by prior treatment with antibiotics, being 70% (7/10) in untreated and 12% (2/17) in treated patients. Applying the BI methodology at a cut-off of ≥ 5, however, resulted in an unacceptably high rate of 16 additional false-positive results, thus lowering the specificity to 87% (116/133;P<0.0001) while increasing the sensitivity to only 41% (11/27;P=0.77). In conclusion, given the high rate of false-positive results, the methodology of the BI is of doubtful value for the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia by BAL in an unselected patient group. By applying the absolute number of cfu/ml BAL fluid, however, positive bacteriologic cultures of BAL fluid are highly specific for the diagnosis of pneumonia. Their sensitivity is limited by previous antibiotic therap

Building an ecosystem for a new Engineering program

Penn State Hazleton has recently developed and implemented a new Engineering program with a focus on energy efficiency and energy sustainability. To accelerate the implementation cycle of the program, it was necessary to very rapidly create and establish the components of an ecosystem needed for the Engineering program to prosper and grow. This paper describes the individual components of the ecosystem as well as the methods used to establish them. The paper also discusses the different initiatives to increase enrollment as well as placement rates for graduates. Continuous quality improvement procedure applied to maintain the quality of the program is also being discussed

Continuous Quality Improvement of an Engineering Program as a Requirement for Abet Accreditation

The paper addresses the benefits from accreditation of an Engineering program. The criteria for accreditation are also being discussed as well as the cost of domestic and outside of the United States (US) accreditation. The paper also contains procedures for curriculum development as well as evaluation and assessment. Implementation of a comprehensive continuous quality improvement process (CQI) for individual courses as well as the entire Engineering program is being discussed and analyzed. The conclusions include practical recommendations for the effective closing of the CQI loop

Innovativeness and creativity as nature and nurture

The paper describes the concept of innovativeness and creativity from the perspective of nature and nurture. There is the description of basic concepts influencing the innovativeness and creativity from the human nature and educational point of view

The Bloomberg Innovation Index as a tool to measure economic growth

The problem of innovation and innovativeness of economy is very important in nowadays economy. The main problem is how to measure the level of innovativeness, because there are many ways to do it. One of the ways of this is to use complex innovative Indexes as described in this publication Bloomberg Innovative Index. The aim of the publication is to analyze the sub-indexes in the Bloomberg Innovation Index from innovativeness point of view

Innovativeness and creativity as factors in workforce development – perspective of psychology

The paper describes the concept of innovativeness and creativity from the perspective of natural ability and skills developed by the educational process, parenting style, societal values and traditions. The paper contains an analysis of innovativeness and creativity as factors of workforce development from the perspective of business psychology describing various theories of the problem

Haver analytics as a tool to measure economic growth in Poland and The United States

This publication presents the results of the comparative analysis of economic growth in the United States and Poland using Harver Analytics. It takes into account factors such as GDP, industrial output, consumption expenditure, investment, exports and consumption expenditure of the government

Analiza wpływu centrum inkubatora biznesowego na rozwój ekonomiczny w Hazleton, Pennsylvania (USA)

This paper concentrates on the analysis of the impact of Business Incubator Centre on the economy development. The analysis has been done on the example of Hazelton Incubator Centre in Pennsylvania (United States). We conduct our analysis using various indicators divided into four groups: social indicators, procedural indicators, technical indicators and financial indicators. On the basis of those indicators we analyses functioning of this business incubator center

Proposed model of cooperation between the business incubator center and a local university based on best practice in usa and Poland

This paper describes the cooperation between business incubator centers and the academic programs at local universities. Students and faculty from four different majors, Engineering, Business, Information Science Technology (IST) and Communication provided comprehensive assistance to new start-up and existing companies. At the same time, the students were gaining valuable experience learning the complexity of entrepreneurial ventures. Students were also developing the ability for cross-disciplinary oral and written communication