Pet owner and vet interactions: exploring the drivers of AMR

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health problem across the world. As the negative consequences of AMR become apparent at local, national and international levels, more attention is being focussed on the variety of mechanisms by which AMR is potentiated. We explore how interactions between pet owners and veterinarians represent a key arena in which AMR-related behaviours can be shaped. Methods: In depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with pet owners (n = 23) and vets (n = 16) across the UK in 2017. A thematic analysis approach was taken, with inductively gathered data analysed deductively using a behavioural framework to identified key behaviours emerging from participant accounts which were amenable to change. Results: Interactions between vets and pet owners were characterised by misunderstandings and misconceptions around antibiotics by pet owners, and a lack of clarity about the positions and intentions of the other party. Vets and pet owners had differing perceptions of where pressure to prescribe antibiotics inappropriately originated. Vets perceived it was mostly pet owners who pushed for inappropriate antibiotics, whereas pet owners reported they felt it was vets that overprescribed. Low levels of understanding of AMR in general were apparent amongst pet owners and understandings with regard to AMR in pets specifically were almost non-existent in the sample. Conclusions: Improved use of antibiotics could be assisted by educating the pet owning public and by guideline development for companion animal vets, concurrent development of mandatory legislation, increased consultation time to facilitate better communication, development of vet training on antimicrobial therapy and stewardship led interactions with pet owners, and increased levels of knowledge of pet-related AMR amongst pet owners

Pentacene in 1,3,5-Tri(1-naphtyl)benzene: A Novel Standard for Transient EPR Spectroscopy at Room Temperature

Testing and calibrating an experimental setup with standard samples is an essential aspect of scientific research. Single crystals of pentacene in p-terphenyl are widely used for this purpose in transient electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. However, this sample is not without downsides: the crystals need to be grown and the EPR transitions only appear at particular orientations of the crystal with respect to the external magnetic field. An alternative host for pentacene is the glass-forming 1,3,5-tri(1-naphtyl)benzene (TNB). Due to the high glass transition point of TNB, an amorphous glass containing randomly oriented pentacene molecules is obtained at room temperature. Here we demonstrate that pentacene dissolved in TNB gives a typical “powder-like” transient EPR spectrum of the triplet state following pulsed laser excitation. From the two-dimensional data set, it is straightforward to obtain the zero-field splitting parameters and relative populations by spectral simulation as well as the B1 field in the microwave resonator. Due to the simplicity of preparation, handling and stability, this system is ideal for adjusting the laser beam with respect to the microwave resonator and for introducing students to transient EPR spectroscopy

Panel: Grant Writing

Grant writing has become a major component of many academicians’ careers. As funding for projects becomes scarce at colleges and universities, external grants provide an excellent opportunity to fund small to large research studies that have an impact across a variety of fields and contexts. This panel will explore the process of grant writing, including locating, planning, writing, reviewing, and managing grants. The panelists provide a wide variety of grant writing experience. In particular the panel will cover topics include locating, planning, writing, reviewing, and managing a grant. Each panelist will highlight the following when discussing each topic: What are possible approaches when targeting a particular agency? How to match your research to fit with a request for proposal? How to avoid key pitfalls when pursuing external funding

Design and Technology Educators’ Experiences of Competence, Relatedness and Autonomy with Educational Research

This article reports on the results of a survey of Design and Technology educators, predominantly based in England that sought evidence of the extent to which the educators engaged with educational research more generally and also specifically within Design and Technology Education. The survey was sponsored by the professional Association of Design and Technology Education and was undertaken by its Design and Technology Research Steering Group. The survey collected demographic data on the roles and responsibilities of the survey respondents, the types and levels of education where they worked and length of experience in Design and Technology  education. Questions explored the types of research of interest, confidence levels in accessing, using and undertaking research, the nature of support for engaging research that educators would welcome, how research was currently accessed, what the challenges and barriers might be and what would motivate educators to become more engaged with research. This article resorts on analysis of the data, drawing on Self Determination Theory and specifically concepts of competence, relatedness and autonomy. Findings indicated that  respondents had a great deal of interest in principle, but that there were considerable barriers to engaging with research which impacted on competence, relatedness and autonomy. The insights provided will now be used as the basis for developing support for Design and Technology practitioners to engage with research at a variety of levels

Pentacene in 1,3,5-Tri(1-naphtyl)benzene: A Novel Standard for Transient EPR Spectroscopy at Room Temperature

Testing and calibrating an experimental setup with standard samples is an essential aspect of scientifc research. Single crystals of pentacene in p-terphenyl are widely used for this purpose in transient electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectros copy. However, this sample is not without downsides: the crystals need to be grown and the EPR transitions only appear at particular orientations of the crystal with respect to the external magnetic feld. An alternative host for pentacene is the glass forming 1,3,5-tri(1-naphtyl)benzene (TNB). Due to the high glass transition point of TNB, an amorphous glass containing randomly oriented pentacene molecules is obtained at room temperature. Here we demonstrate that pentacene dissolved in TNB gives a typical “powder-like” transient EPR spectrum of the triplet state fol lowing pulsed laser excitation. From the two-dimensional data set, it is straight forward to obtain the zero-feld splitting parameters and relative populations by spectral simulation as well as the B1 feld in the microwave resonator. Due to the simplicity of preparation, handling and stability, this system is ideal for adjusting the laser beam with respect to the microwave resonator and for introducing students to transient EPR spectroscopy

Prospectus, July 25, 2012

FOOD FOR THOUGHT A HIT WITH STUDENTS; Senate hears ideas on keeping down college costs; Parkland Planetarium and Art Gallery Fall Preview; Obama, Romney suspend campaigning in wake of Colorado shooting; Buster\u27s Bites: tasty summer treats; Finding God, the particle: A prelude to discoveries more shocking and profound; All is quiet on the war front; Parkland men\u27s basketball team welcomes new head coach; Review of new film The Dark Knight Riseshttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2012/1031/thumbnail.jp

The reliability horizon for semi-classical quantum gravity: Metric fluctuations are often more important than back-reaction

In this note I introduce the notion of the ``reliability horizon'' for semi-classical quantum gravity. This reliability horizon is an attempt to quantify the extent to which we should trust semi-classical quantum gravity, and to get a better handle on just where the Planck regime resides. I point out that the key obstruction to pushing semi-classical quantum gravity into the Planck regime is often the existence of large metric fluctuations, rather than a large back-reaction. There are many situations where the metric fluctuations become large long before the back-reaction is significant. Issues of this type are fundamental to any attempt at proving Hawking's chronology protection conjecture from first principles, since I shall prove that the onset of chronology violation is always hidden behind the reliability horizon.Comment: 6 pages; ReV_TeX 3.0; two-column format. Revisions: Central definitions and results essentially unchanged. Discussion of the relationship between this letter and the Kay-Radzikowski-Wald singularity theorems greatly extended and clarified. Discussion of reliability horizon near curvature singularities modified. Several references added. Minor typos fixed. Technical TeX modification