Mycoplasma pneumonia : an unusual cause of acute myocarditis in childhood

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is primarily a respiratory pathogen but may affect exhibit a diverse range of presentations from asymptomatic infection to life threatening conditions. Myocarditis of varying severity is an unusual complication. We report a 6 year old with mycoplasma myocarditis, a rare age for such a presentation, and who responded well to treatment with no sequelae. Serological testing for Mycoplasma pneumoniae should be part of the routine work-up for myocarditis.peer-reviewe

Education and older adults at the University of the Third Age

This article reports a critical analysis of older adult education in Malta. In educational gerontology, a critical perspective demands the exposure of how relations of power and inequality, in their myriad forms, combinations, and complexities, are manifest in late-life learning initiatives. Fieldwork conducted at the University of the Third Age (UTA) in Malta uncovered the political nature of elder-learning, especially with respect to three intersecting lines of inequality - namely, positive aging, elitism, and gender. A cautionary note is, therefore, warranted at the dominant positive interpretations of UTAs since late-life learning, as any other education activity, is not politically neutral.peer-reviewe

Epsomite as flame retardant treatment for wood: preliminary study

The effect of epsomite as flame retardant for wood has been investigated and compared with a commercial boron salt. Both flame retardants have been introduced into wood samples by vacuum impregnation. Epsomite is a hydrated sulphate salt with a water solubility of 731 g¿L-1 at room temperature. Thanks to this high solubility it was possible to obtain elevated epsomite loadings in comparison with the borax salt. Flame retardancy was evaluated by means of the limiting oxygen index, the dripping test and the exposition to a direct flame (Bunsen test). The results showed that the addition of epsomite increases the limiting oxygen index, delays the time to ignition and the evolution of the temperatures trough the wood

Nitrate modulates stem cell dynamics in Arabidopsis shoot meristems through cytokinins

The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is responsible for the generation of all of the aerial parts of plants. Given its critical role, dynamical changes in SAM activity should play a central role in the adaptation of plant architecture to the environment. Using quantitative microscopy, grafting experiments and genetic perturbations, we connect the plant environment to the SAM, by describing the molecular mechanism by which cytokinins signal the level of nutrient availability to the SAM. We show that a systemic signal of cytokinin precursors mediates the adaptation of SAM size and organogenesis rate to the availability of mineral nutrients by modulating the expression of WUSCHEL, a key regulator of stem cell homeostasis. In time- lapse experiments, we further show that this mechanism allows meristems to adapt to rapid changes in nitrate concentration, and thereby modulate their rate of organ production to the availability of mineral nutrients within a few days. Our work sheds new light on the role of the stem cell regulatory network, by showing that it does not only maintain meristem homeostasis but also allows plants to adapt to rapid changes in the environment.This work is supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation [fellowship GAT3395/DAA (to E.M.M.), GAT3272/GLC (to J.C.W.L.), and GAT3395-PR4 (to H.J.)]. E.M.M. also acknowledges support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (through Grant GBMF3406). Research in the laboratory of J.C.W.L. was made possible by the award of a European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP/2007-2013)/ERC Grant Agreement 338060. P.F.-J. acknowledges a postdoctoral fellowship provided by the Herchel Smith Foundation

London 2012 Paralympic swimming: Passive drag and the classification system

Background: The key difference between the Olympic and Paralympic Games is the use of classification systems within Paralympic sports to provide a fair competition for athletes with a range of physical disabilities. In 2009, the International Paralympic Committee mandated the development of new, evidence-based classification systems. This study aims to assess objectively the swimming classification system by determining the relationship between passive drag and level of swimming-specific impairment, as defined by the current swimming class. Methods: Data were collected on participants at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The passive drag force of 113 swimmers (classes 3-14) was measured using an electro-mechanical towing device and load cell. Swimmers were towed on the surface of a swimming pool at 1.5 m/s while holding their most streamlined position. Results: Passive drag ranged from 24.9 to 82.8 N; the normalised drag (drag/mass) ranged from 0.45 to 1.86 N/kg. Significant negative associations were found between drag and the swimming class (τ=-0.41, p<0.01) and normalised drag and the swimming class (τ=-0.60, p<0.01). The mean difference in drag between adjacent classes was inconsistent, ranging from 0 N (6 vs 7) to 11.9 N (5 vs 6). Reciprocal Ponderal Index (a measure of slenderness) correlated moderately with normalised drag (rP=-0.40, p<0.01). Conclusions: Although swimmers with the lowest swimming class experienced the highest passive drag and vice versa, the inconsistent difference in mean passive drag between adjacent classes indicates that the current classification system does not always differentiate clearly between swimming groups

Modelling of simple cases in view of active stabilisation for a future linear collider

Final focus magnet stabilisation is an important issue when working with nanometre size beams. The present study focuses on mechanical stabilisation. As a first step, the case of a 1m free-fixed aluminium beam placed on a table with active stabilisation has been studied. This work describes three aspects, namely, sensors and actuators to measure and compensate ground motion, mechanical simulations and a feedback loop. Measurements done with low frequency velocity sensors (down to 0.1Hz) in our Annecy lab during office hours show that the displacement RMS on the active table is 1nm at 4Hz compared to 10nm without active stabilisation. Simulations of the dynamic response of the beam have been compared to measurements done with accelerometers placed on the clamping and on the free end of the aluminium beam. The results are in good agreement. We are therefore able to predict by simulation the response of a structure subjected to an external excitation. A first sketch of a feedback loop to compensate specific vibrations has also been developed and allows the simultaneous elimination of several resonance peaks on a reduced-size mock-up. This algorithm will be applied to stabilise a larger mock-up, leading to more realistic experimental conditions. In future tests, the active table will globally stabilise in a range of frequencies from 0.5Hz to 50Hz whereas the feedback loop will compensate single strong resonances

Nitrate modulates stem cell dynamics in Arabidopsis shoot meristems through cytokinins

The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is responsible for the generation of all the aerial parts of plants. Given its critical role, dynamical changes in SAM activity should play a central role in the adaptation of plant architecture to the environment. Using quantitative microscopy, grafting experiments, and genetic perturbations, we connect the plant environment to the SAM by describing the molecular mechanism by which cytokinins signal the level of nutrient availability to the SAM. We show that a systemic signal of cytokinin precursors mediates the adaptation of SAM size and organogenesis rate to the availability of mineral nutrients by modulating the expression of WUSCHEL, a key regulator of stem cell homeostasis. In time-lapse experiments, we further show that this mechanism allows meristems to adapt to rapid changes in nitrate concentration, and thereby modulate their rate of organ production to the availability of mineral nutrients within a few days. Our work sheds light on the role of the stem cell regulatory network by showing that it not only maintains meristem homeostasis but also allows plants to adapt to rapid changes in the environment