Is there a Relationship between Hopelessness and Religious Problem-Solving Skills?

Students from a small liberal arts college completed the Beck Hopelessness Scale (81-JS) and the short form of the Religious Problem-Solving Scale. The Religious Problem-Solving Scale consists of three subscales: collaborative, self-directive and deferring. A Pearson Correlation was conducted between the BHS score and each subscale of the Religious Problem-Solving Scale. The Bl IS score and the self-directing score were positively correlated. However the correlation of the BHS score and the collaborative and deferring scales were non-significant

Evaluation of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for the Identification of Group B Streptococcus.

Objective Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal meningitis and sepsis worldwide. Intrapartum antibiotics given to women carrying GBS are an effective means of reducing disease in the first week of life. Rapid and reliable tests are needed to accurately identify GBS from these women for timely intrapartum antibiotic administration to prevent neonatal disease. Many laboratories now use matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) by direct plating or cell lysis for the identification of GBS isolates. The cell lysis step increases time to results for clinical samples and is more complex to perform. Therefore, we seek to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the quicker and more rapid direct plating method in identifying GBS. Results We directly compared swab isolates analysed by both direct plating and cell lysis method and demonstrated that direct plating has a sensitivity and specificity of 0.97 and 1, respectively, compared to an additional cell lysis step. We demonstrated that MALDI-TOF MS can be successfully used for batch processing by the direct plating method which saves time. These results are reassuring for laboratories worldwide who seek to identify GBS from swabs samples as quickly as possible

Performance Optimisation of Hot Water Cylinders

The systematic depletion of non-renewable energy sources and the current high capital costs of installing renewable energy systems place significant focus on energy efficiency in engineering. The requirement for energy efficiency covers a wide set of disciplines from industrial power generation to home heating and hot water. This study focuses on the operation of domestic hot water cylinders and how to better understand the factors relating to improving the output of its immersed tube coil heat exchangers. It is shown that by improving the output capability of the immersed coil, a domestic hot water cylinder can transfer the energy provided to it by both renewable and non-renewable sources faster to the stored water. This was an experimental research project, and all the work was completed to BS EN 12897:2006, which ensured that the results were repeatable, transferable and comparable to other cylinders both from the sponsoring company and to others on the market. The study looked at varying the parameters of height, diameter and pitch of a coil within a test cylinder and measuring the U values obtained under operation. In each case the coil tested was placed offset to the cylinder axis with the intention of creating a convective current to improve heat transfer. Special tests separate from the parametric investigation were also carried out to evaluate the impact of adding a chimney to the coil, painting the coil surface black and adding a taper angle to the coil. The test coils were also compared to current commercial heating coils in cylinders. Certain combinations of parameter changes showed slight improvements in the U values of the coil. The taper angle added to the coil showed no significant improvements and painting the coil surface black was proven to be detrimental to the coils performance. The chimney addition showed signs of improved convection within the cylinder. The offset test coils when compared with current central commercial coils showed a significant improvement in output per square meter of coil surface area, providing same heat up times with 39% less coil length. The offset design has now been presented to the host organisation of this project and is under review for implementation in a future range of large capacity cylinders

Analysis and parametrisation of an IBM of a Leishmania infantum in vitro culture

Leishmaniasis is a vector borne protozoan parasitic disease with the ninth highest burden amongst infectious diseases. There is a pressing need for the development of novel, improved drugs for its treatment. Currently, the knowledge of the mechanisms of action of the parasite and the drugs that treat it is still limited. As a consequence, drug research begins with in vitro screening. This makes an increase in the understanding of Leishmania infected macrophage cultures necessary for the improvement of drug screening methods. Aim: The purpose of this work is to parametrise an individual based model (IBM) of a Leishmania infantum and murine cell line RAW 264.7 in vitro culture. This process consists of the comparison of experimental results and the simulation outcome of the IBM. It is a necessary process in order to adjust the parameters of the model so that it gives the closest representation of the real system. On the one hand, this serves to shed light on the behaviour of this particular culture. On the other hand, the work proposes a mathematical methodology for parametrisation that is extensible to other cultures (different strains, cell lines, parasite species and medium composition). Experimental methods: The experimental design used to obtain the experimental data for the parametrisation of the model is described. The percentage of infected macrophages and the number of parasites per cell was determined at several time-points after infection. Parametrisation: The mathematical methodology for parametrisation is described and applied to this particular model. A preliminary analysis of the model was carried out in order to determine, for each parameter, the interval of values where simulation outcome and experimental results were most similar. The combination of these intervals, the parameter space, was then sampled using the Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) technique. Finally, the sampled combinations were implemented in the model and the outcome analysed. Results: On the one hand, a mathematical methodology for the parametrisation process was developed, extensible to different cultures. One the other hand, the combination that best reproduces the experimental results was determined. Conclusion: The development of the IBM has the potential to increase our understanding of the system and, therefore, lead to a more accurate approach in understanding and evaluating drug assays. However, the model still requires further expansion. In spite of the satisfactory results, there are still some improvements to be made to the parametrisation methodology.La leishmaniosi és una malaltia parasitària provocada per un protozou transmès per un vector. La seva incidència la situa com la novena malaltia infecciosa a nivell mundial. La necessitat de desenvolupar fàrmacs nous i millors és imperiosa. Actualment, encara, els coneixements sobre el mecanisme d'acció del paràsit i dels fàrmacs són limitats. Com a conseqüència, la recerca de nous fàrmacs s'inicia amb assajos in vitro. Això fa imprescindible per a la millora dels mètodes de triatge de fàrmacs una millor comprensió dels cultius de macròfags infectats per Leishmania. Objectiu: El propòsit d'aquest treball és parametritzar un model basat en l'individu (IBM) del cultiu in vitro de Leishmania infantum i la línia cel·lular murina RAW 264.7. Aquest procés implica la comparació de resultats experimentals amb les sortides del simulador i és necessari per a ajustar els paràmetres del model de manera que aquest representi amb màxima fidelitat el sistema real. Per una banda, serveix per a incrementar la comprensió del comportament d'aquest cultiu en particular. Per altra banda, el treball proposa una metodologia matemàtica per a la parametrització que pretén ser extensible a altres cultius (diferents soques, línies cel·lulars, espècies i composicions del medi). Mètode experimental: Es descriu el mètode experimental emprat per a obtenir les dades utilitzades per a la parametrització. Es determinen a diferents instants de temps el percentatge de macròfags infectats i el nombre de paràsits per cèl·lula. Parametrització: Es desenvolupa una metodologia matemàtica per a la parametrització i s'aplica a aquest model en particular. Un anàlisi preliminar permet establir en quins rangs de valors dels paràmetres la sortida del simulador s'assembla més a les dades experimentals. El conjunt d'aquests intervals, l'espai de paràmetres, és mostrejat amb la tècnica Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS). Finalment, les combinacions de paràmetres mostrejades són implementades en el model i s'analitza el resultat. Resultats: Per una banda, s'ha desenvolupat una metodologia matemàtica per al procés de parametrització que és extensible a diferents cultius. Per altra banda, s'ha determinat la combinació de paràmetres mostrejats que millor reprodueix els resultats experimentals. Conclusions: El desenvolupament d'una metodologia per parametritzar models basats en l'individu té el potencial d'incrementar la nostra comprensió del sistema i, per tant, portarà a un enfocament més apropiat per a la comprensió i avaluació dels assajos de fàrmacs. Malgrat els bons resultats es constata que es poden realitzar, encara, algunes millores en la metodologia de parametrització.La leishmaniasis es una enfermedad parasitaria provocada por un protozoo transmitido por un vector. Su incidencia la sitúa como la novena enfermedad infecciosa a nivel mundial. La necesidad de desarrollar fármacos nuevos y mejores es imperante. Actualmente, los conocimientos sobre el mecanismo de acción del parásito y los fármacos son aún limitados. Como consecuencia, la investigación de nuevos fármacos empieza con ensayos in vitro. Es necesaria para la mejora de los métodos de elección de fármacos una mejor comprensión de los cultivos de macrófagos infectados por Leishmania. Objetivo: El propósito de este trabajo es parametrizar un modelo basa en el individuo (IBM) del cultivo in vitro de Leishmania infantum y la línea celular murina RAW 264.7. Este proceso implica la comparación de resultados experimentales con las salidas del simulador y es necesario para ajustar los parámetros del modelo de manera que este represente con máxima fidelidad el sistema real. Por un lado, sirve para incrementar la compresión del comportamiento de este cultivo en particular. Por otro lado, el trabajo propone una metodología matemática para la parametrización que pretende ser extensible a otros cultivos (diferentes cepas, líneas celulares, especies y composiciones del medio). Método experimental: Se describe el método experimental utilizado para obtener los datos usados para la parametrización. Se determinan a diferentes instantes de tiempo el porcentaje de macrófagos infectados y el número de parásitos por célula. Parametrización: Se desarrolla una metodología matemática para la parametrización y se aplica a este modelo en particular. Un análisis preliminar permite establecer en qué rangos de los valores de los parámetros la salida del simulador es más parecida a los datos experimentales. El conjunto de estos intervalos, el espacio de parámetros, se muestrea con la técnica Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS). Finalmente, las combinaciones de parámetros muestreados son implementados en el modelo y su resultado es analizado. Resultados: Por un lado, se ha desarrollado una metodología matemática para el proceso de parametrización que es extensible a diferentes cultivos. Por otro lado, se ha determinado la combinación de parámetros muestreados que mejor reproduce los resultados experimentales. Conclusiones: El desarrollo de un IBM tiene el potencial de incrementar nuestra comprensión del sistema y, por tanto, llevará a un enfoque más apropiado para la comprensión y evaluación de los ensayos de fármacos. Sin embargo, el modelo requiere expansión. A pesar de los buenos resultados, se constata que se pueden realizar mejoras en la metodología de parametrización

Microbial contamination of domiciliary nebulisers and clinical implications in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Domiciliary nebulisers are widely used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but nebuliser cleaning practice has not been assessed in patients with COPD who are often elderly and may have severe disease and multiple comorbidities. We aimed to evaluate microbial contamination of home nebulisers used by patients with COPD. METHODS: Random microbiological assessment of domiciliary nebulisers was undertaken together with an enquiry into cleaning practices. We also examined the effectiveness of the trust-wide cleaning instructions in eradicating isolated microorganisms in a laboratory setting. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in this study was 71 (range 40-93) years, and in 68% of patients a large number of significant comorbidities were present. Forty-four nebuliser sets were obtained and 73% were contaminated with microorganisms at >100 colony forming units/plate. Potentially pathogenic bacteria colonised 13 of the 44 nebulisers (30%) and organisms isolated included Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, multidrug resistant Serratia marcesans, Escherichia coli and multiresistant Klebsiella spp, Enterobacteriaceae and fungus Fusarium oxysporum. Washing of nebuliser masks, chambers and mouthpieces achieved complete eradication of Gram-positive bacterial and fungal flora. Gram-negative organisms were incompletely eradicated, which may be attributed to the presence of biofilms. We also found that in patients with pathogenic organisms cultured on the nebuliser sets, there was a higher probability of occurrence of a COPD exacerbation with a mean number of exacerbations of 3.3 (SD=1) per year in the group in whom pathogens were isolated compared with 1.7 (SD=1.2) exacerbations per year in those whose sets grew non-pathogenic flora (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Nebulisers contaminated with microorganisms are potential reservoirs delivering serious pathogens to the lung. Relationships between nebuliser contamination, clinical infection and exacerbations require further examination, but is a potential concern in elderly patients with COPD with comorbidities who fail to effectively maintain reasonable standards of nebuliser cleanliness

Polymorphisms in the Gene That Encodes the Iron Transport Protein Ferroportin 1 Influence Susceptibility to Tuberculosis

Background: We studied the association between iron intake and polymorphisms in the iron transporter gene, SLC40A1, and the risk of tuberculosis. Methods: We compared iron intake, the frequency of SLC40A1 mutations, and interactions between these variables among 98 TB patients and 125 controls in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Results: Four SLC40A1 SNPs were associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis and one with reduced risk. We also found a gene-environment interaction for four non-exonic SNPs and iron intake. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated an association between polymorphisms in SLC40A1 and tuberculosis and provided evidence for an interaction between dietary iron and SLC40A1.Organismic and Evolutionary Biolog