On the size and shape of drumlins

We provide a mechanistic explanation for observed metrics for drumlins, which represent their sizes and shapes. Our explanation is based on a concept of drumlin growth occurring through a process of instability, whereby small amplitude wave forms first grow as ice slides over a bed of deformable sediments, followed by a coarsening process, in which the wavelength as well as the relief of the drumlins continues to grow. The observations then provide inferences about the growth process itself

Numerical computations of a theoretical model of ribbed moraine formation

We develop numerical solutions of a theoretical model which has been proposed to explain the formation of subglacial bedforms. The model has been shown to have the capability of producing bedforms in two dimensions, when they may be interpreted as ribbed moraine. However, these investigations have left unanswered the question of whether the theory is capable of producing fully three‐dimensional bedforms such as drumlins. We show that, while the three‐dimensional calculations show realistic quasi‐three‐dimensional features such as dislocations in the ribbing pattern, they do not produce genuine three‐dimensional drumlins. We suggest that this inadequacy is due to the treatment of subglacial drainage in the theory as a passive variable, and thus that the three‐dimensional forms may be associated with conditions of sufficient subglacial water flux

Global differences in the management of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: no international standard of care

BackgroundDespite being the leading cause of mortality from bloodstream infections worldwide, little is known about regional variation in treatment practices for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). The aim of this study was to identify global variation in management, diagnostics, and definitions of SAB.MethodsDuring a 20-day period in 2022, physicians throughout the world were surveyed on SAB treatment practices. The survey was distributed through listservs, e-mails, and social media.ResultsIn total, 2031 physicians from 71 different countries on 6 continents (North America [701, 35%], Europe [573, 28%], Asia [409, 20%], Oceania [182, 9%], South America [124, 6%], and Africa [42, 2%]) completed the survey. Management-based responses differed significantly by continent for preferred treatment of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) bacteremia, use of adjunctive rifampin for prosthetic material infection, and use of oral antibiotics (P P –4 days of positive blood cultures, responses ranged from 2 days in 31% of European respondents to 7 days in 38% of Asian respondents (P ConclusionsLarge practice variations for SAB exist throughout the world, reflecting the paucity of high-quality data and the absence of an international standard of care for the management of SAB.Immunogenetics and cellular immunology of bacterial infectious disease

The association of female sex with management and mortality in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia

Objectives: The association of biological female sex with outcome in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia remains unresolved. The aim of this study was to determine the independent association of female sex with management and mortality in patients with S. aureus bacteraemia.Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of prospectively collected data from the S. aureus Bacteraemia Group Prospective Cohort Study. Adult patients with monomicrobial S. aureus bacteraemia at Duke University Medical Center were enrolled from 1994 to 2020. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to assess differences in management and mortality between females and males.Results: Among 3384 patients with S. aureus bacteraemia, 1431 (42%) were women. Women were, as compared with men, more often Black (581/1431 [41%] vs. 620/1953 [32%], p < 0.001), haemodialysis dependent (309/1424 [22%] vs. 334/1940 [17%], p 0.001) and more likely to be infected with methicillinresistant S. aureus (MRSA) (697/1410 [49%] MRSA in women vs. 840/1925 [44%] MRSA in men, p 0.001). Women received shorter durations of antimicrobial treatment (median 24 [interquartile range 14-42] vs. 28 [interquartile range 14-45] days, p 0.005), and were less likely to undergo transesophageal echocardiography as compared with men (495/1430 [35%] vs. 802/1952 [41%], p < 0.001). Despite these differences, female sex was not associated with 90-day mortality in either univariable (388/1431 [27%] in women vs. 491/1953 [25%] in men, p 0.204) or multivariable analysis (adjusted hazard ratio for women 0.98 [95% CI, 0.85-1.13]).Discussion: Despite significant differences in patient characteristics, disease characteristics, and management, women and men with S. aureus bacteraemia have a similar mortality risk. Annette C. Westgeest, Clin Microbiol Infect 2023;29:1182Immunogenetics and cellular immunology of bacterial infectious disease

Ebola virus disease: an update on post-exposure prophylaxis

The massive outbreak of Ebola virus disease in west Africa between 2013 and 2016 resulted in intense efforts to evaluate the efficacy of several specific countermeasures developed through years of preclinical work, including the first clinical trials for therapeutics and vaccines. In this Review, we discuss how the experience and data generated from that outbreak have helped to advance the understanding of the use of these countermeasures for post-exposure prophylaxis against Ebola virus infection. In future outbreaks, post-exposure prophylaxis could play an important part in reducing community transmission of Ebola virus by providing more immediate protection than does immunisation as well as providing additional protection for health-care workers who are inadvertently exposed over the course of their work. We propose provisional guidance for use of post-exposure prophylaxis in Ebola virus disease and identify the priorities for future preparedness and further research

A deep dive into the ecology of Gamay (Botany Bay, Australia): current knowledge and future priorities for this highly modified coastal waterway

Context: Gamay is a coastal waterway of immense social, cultural and ecological value. Since European settlement, it has become a hub for industrialisation and human modification. There is growing desire for ecosystem-level management of urban waterways, but such efforts are often challenged by a lack of integrated knowledge. Aim and methods: We systematically reviewed published literature and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and consulted scientists to produce a review of Gamay that synthesises published knowledge of Gamay’s aquatic ecosystem to identify knowledge gaps and future research opportunities. Key results: We found 577 published resources on Gamay, of which over 70% focused on ecology. Intertidal rocky shores were the most studied habitat, focusing on invertebrate communities. Few studies considered multiple habitats or taxa. Studies investigating cumulative human impacts, long-term trends and habitat connectivity are lacking, and the broader ecological role of artificial substrate as habitat in Gamay is poorly understood. TEK of Gamay remains a significant knowledge gap. Habitat restoration has shown promising results and could provide opportunities to improve affected habitats in the future. Conclusion and implications: This review highlights the extensive amount of knowledge that exists for Gamay, but also identifies key gaps that need to be filled for effective management