Controversies about extended-spectrum and AmpC beta-lactamases.

Many clinical laboratories have problems detecting extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamases. Confusion exists about the importance of these resistance mechanisms, optimal test methods, and appropriate reporting conventions. Failure to detect these enzymes has contributed to their uncontrolled spread and sometimes to therapeutic failures. Although National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards recommendations exist for detecting ESBL- producing isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., no recommendations exist for detecting ESBLs in other organisms or for detecting plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamases in any organisms. Clinical laboratories need to have adequate funding, equipment, and expertise to provide a rapid and clinically relevant antibiotic testing service in centers where these resistance mechanisms are encountered

Calculation of Elastic Green's Functions for Lattices with Cavities

In this Brief Report, we present an algorithm for calculating the elastic Lattice Greens Function of a regular lattice, in which defects are created by removing lattice points. The method is computationally efficient, since the required matrix operations are on matrices that scale with the size of the defect subspace, and not with the size of the full lattice. This method allows the treatment of force fields with multi-atom interactions.Comment: 3 pages. RevTeX, using epsfig.sty. One figur

Profile of oral health students over a ten year period and their practice intentions after graduation

Published: January 26, 2017Objective: Limited research has been published on oral health therapists, particularly Australian cohorts of Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH) students who will graduate as oral health therapists. Aside from selection criteria and sample characteristics of students from some institutions, little is known about factors influencing career choice and career aspirations and workplace intentions after graduation. This study describes the characteristics, career choice factors and career aspirations of first year students enrolled at the University of Adelaide between 2005 and 2014. Methods: All first year cohorts (2005-2014) completed a self-report questionnaire as part of coursework. Demographic data, socio-economic status, career choice influences and graduate aspirations were collected and analysed. Kruskal –Wallis Tests were conducted on each variable with the cohort years. Results: Completed questionnaires suitable for analyses were received from 269 students (response rate 86%). Most students were under 21 years, in their preferred program and attended non-government schools. Males entering the profession increased. Career choice factors reflected those of other studies. The desire to work in the public sector declined after the first year of graduation with most reporting the private sector the workplace of choice after five and ten years. The stated intention of pursuing an academic career did not change and most reported the possibility of undertaking future postgraduate study. Conclusion: Working conditions and lifestyle factors have become increasing important and a growing number of males are entering the profession. Monitoring profile variations between BOH student cohorts overtime is important for program selection, recruitment and labourforce planning. If the trend continues for BOH students wanting to ultimately work in the private sector, access to care could be affected for particular population groups.Suzanne Gardner, and Kaye Roberts-Thomso

Sensitivity-analysis method for inverse simulation application

An important criticism of traditional methods of inverse simulation that are based on the Newton–Raphson algorithm is that they suffer from numerical problems. In this paper these problems are discussed and a new method based on sensitivity-analysis theory is developed and evaluated. The Jacobian matrix may be calculated by solving a sensitivity equation and this has advantages over the approximation methods that are usually applied when the derivatives of output variables with respect to inputs cannot be found analytically. The methodology also overcomes problems of input-output redundancy that arise in the traditional approaches to inverse simulation. The sensitivity- analysis approach makes full use of information within the time interval over which key quantities are compared, such as the difference between calculated values and the given ideal maneuver after each integration step. Applications to nonlinear HS125 aircraft and Lynx helicopter models show that, for this sensitivity-analysis method, more stable and accurate results are obtained than from use of the traditional Newton–Raphson approach

Digital Intimacies and LGBT+ Youth: Celebration, Equity and Safety

“Digital Intimacies and LGBT+ youth” was commissioned by Brook, the wellbeing and sexual health charity for under-25s. It builds on the insights of its earlier report Digital Romance (McGeeney and Hanson 2017) which researched young people’s digital intimacy practices. For this report, we revisited survey and focus group data specifically from LGBT+ participants in that research. Additionally, we reviewed academic literature and gathered new data from LGBT+ youth groups, youth work practitioners and teachers, and parents / carers. Our research took place during the period of lockdowns due to Covid-19. These induced rapid shifts in perceptions of the online and in youth work practices, which have shaped our analysis here. The report summarises its findings under the headings of: // Celebration: We acknowledge the positive experiences that LGBT+ youth have online. We recognise LGBT+ youth as engaged creatively in diverse practices of community-building across many digital and offline spaces. Although there may be some (real and imagined) generational gaps in appreciating the value of digital cultures, we describe how youth work professionals rapidly and flexibly adapted their work with young people to online spaces under lockdown. Evidence that youth work practices were in turn able to positively impact some young people’s online relationship-building shows the value and vitality of cross-generational work and spaces. // Equity: We acknowledge the particular challenges faced by LGBT+ youth in a heteronormative world, which require specific resources to ameliorate. Some of these resources – especially for LGBT+ friendly youth services and other provision – are inadequate and / or under threat. Young people in our research looked particularly to schools to create safe and inclusive spaces including through relationships and sexuality education. We also draw attention to the responsibilities of platform providers, since many features of internet architecture prioritise commercial imperatives above privacy, preventing online harassment, or access to information. // Safety: We acknowledge the particular issues faced by LGBT+ youth in forging relationships and identities and their need for support. These intersect with many different aspects of identity. However we argue that an overemphasis on risk can be alienating and counterproductive, especially if it comes at the expense of more positive representations. Risk-taking is a necessary part of growing and learning. Managing risk should be seen as a lifelong project for all of us, constantly revisited, rather than something that can be avoided entirely or achieved at a single point in time. We conclude by offering a set of recommendations for practice relevant to funding bodies, campaigners, youth work professionals, schools, families and carers. These relate to: • Inclusive Relationships and Sex(uality) Education • Inclusive online safety • Resourcing anti-harassment strategies • Demanding more from digital media providers • Actively supporting parents and carers • Creating and networking safe spaces • Supporting youth community spaces • Supporting creativity/world-making • Outreach and exchang

Findings from a pilot randomised trial of an asthma internet self-management intervention (RAISIN)

<b>Objective </b>To evaluate the feasibility of a phase 3 randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a website (Living Well with Asthma) to support self-management.<p></p> <b>Design and setting</b> Phase 2, parallel group, RCT, participants recruited from 20 general practices across Glasgow, UK. Randomisation through automated voice response, after baseline data collection, to website access for minimum 12 weeks or usual care.<p></p> <b>Participants </b>Adults (age≥16 years) with physician diagnosed, symptomatic asthma (Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score ≥1). People with unstable asthma or other lung disease were excluded.<p></p> <b>Intervention</b> Living Well with Asthma’ is a desktop/ laptop compatible interactive website designed with input from asthma/ behaviour change specialists, and adults with asthma. It aims to support optimal medication management, promote use of action plans, encourage attendance at asthma reviews and increase physical activity.<p></p> <b>Outcome measures</b> Primary outcomes were recruitment/retention, website use, ACQ and mini- Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). Secondary outcomes included patient activation, prescribing, adherence, spirometry, lung inflammation and health service contacts after 12 weeks. Blinding postrandomisation was not possible.<p></p> <b>Results </b>Recruitment target met. 51 participants randomised (25 intervention group). Age range 16–78 years; 75% female; 28% from most deprived quintile. 45/51 (88%; 20 intervention group) followed up. 19 (76% of the intervention group) used the website, for a mean of 18 min (range 0–49). 17 went beyond the 2 ‘core’ modules. Median number of logins was 1 (IQR 1–2, range 0–7). No significant difference in the prespecified primary efficacy measures of ACQ scores (−0.36; 95% CI −0.96 to 0.23; p=0.225), and mini-AQLQ scores (0.38; −0.13 to 0.89; p=0.136). No adverse events.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b> Recruitment and retention confirmed feasibility; trends to improved outcomes suggest use of Living Well with Asthma may improve self-management in adults with asthma and merits further development followed by investigation in a phase 3 trial

Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal colonization and growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) in autoclaved soil

The effect of autoclaving soil an uesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAAl) Jungal colonization and biomass production of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) was assessed in pot experiments under greenhouse conditions. Four treatments were given viz., (1) VAM-free plants in autoclaued soil, (2) VAM plants in autoclaued soil, (3) VAM plants in autoclaved soil amended with VAM-free filtrate of non-autoclaved soil, and (4) VAM plants in non-auloclaved soil. The VAM plants grown in non-autoclaued soil showed the highest root colonization of 87.78% while those under (2) and (3) showed only 55.11 % and 56.94% respectiuely. On the other hand, significantly higher shoot length (105.4 cm2/plant), wtal kaJ area (740.3 cm2/plant) and biomass (8.43 g/plant) were obtained in VAM plants grown in autoclaved soiL VAM-free plants in autaclaved sail had reduced growth. In treatments 3 and 4 plant growth was intermediate. The results indicate that VAM colonization and sporulation were favoured under natural conditions, but VAM plants under autoclaved soil conditions produced maximum growth

Effect of interactions of three growth-promoting microorganisms on VAM colonization, spore density, plant growth and nutrient accumulation in tomato (lycopersicon esculentum) seedlings

Interactions of Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum and Glomus fasciculatum in the rhizosphere of tomato plants were studied. There was no significant difference in plant growth parameters between YAM-inoculated treatments. Plants inoculated with the phosphobacteria had significantly higher shoot length, which was equivalent to VAM and other VAM + phosphobacteria combinations. Azospirullum or phosphobacteria alone increased plant biomass compared with the uninoculated control. VAM index was significantly reduced with the addition of phosphobacteria. There was no difference in tissue nutrient concentrations between treatments

Early Establishment of Native Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizas in Three Vegetable Crops of South India - A Comparative Study

The vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) status of three vegetable crops viz., tomato, brinjal and chilli was assessed during the initial establishment period in natural field conditions as well as in pot culture using nonsterile soil. The soil had low nutrient status and no manurial application was made during the 60 d course of the study. VAM fungal colonization in the roots was maximum at 45, 50, and 60 d after the respective germination of brinjals, tomato and chilli seeds under field conditions, and on the 60th d in the pot culture experiment. In no case was 100 per cent root colonization obtained. Ascending and descending trends in colonization were observed. In all cases, the original spore count of3.90 (±0.30) g dry soil increased markedly in the rhizosphere soil after plant growth. Spore number was more pronounced in pot than in field culture