108 research outputs found
Whole genome sequence analysis of antimicrobial resistance genes, multilocus sequence types and plasmid sequences in ESBL/AmpC Escherichia coli isolated from broiler caecum and meat
Plasmid-encoded extended-spectrum ÎČ-lactamase and AmpC gene-carrying Escherichia coli (ESBL/AmpC E. coli) is an increasing cause of human infections worldwide. Increasing carbapenem and colistin resistance further complicate treatment of these infections. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of ESBL/AmpC E. coli in different broiler flocks and farms, as well as in broiler meat, in a country with no antimicrobial usage in broiler production. An additional goal was to assess the genetic characteristics of ESBL/AmpC E. coli isolates by using whole genome sequencing (WGS). Altogether 520 caecal swabs and 85 vacuum-packed broiler meat samples were investigated at the slaughterhouse level. WGS of the bacterial isolates revealed acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, multilocus sequence types (MLST) and plasmid sequences. ESBL/AmpC E. coli was identified in 92 (18%) of the caecum and 27 (32%) of the meat samples. ESBL/AmpC E. coli-carrying birds derived from six (33%) out of 18 farms. Of the two blaESBL/AmpC genes detected by PCR, blaCMY-2 (96%) was predominant over blaCTX-M-1 (4%). Furthermore, WGS revealed an additional AMR gene sul2. Carbapenemase, colistin, and other AMR genes were not detected from the isolates of either the caecal or meat samples. Altogether seven MLSTs (ST101, ST117, ST212, ST351, ST373, ST1594 and an unknown ST) and a variety of different plasmid sequences (IncB/O/K/Z, IncI1, IncFII, IncII, IncFIB, IncFIC, IncX1 and an additional set of Col-plasmids) were detected. This is the first study on genomic epidemiology of ESBL/AmpC E. coli on broiler farms and flocks with no antimicrobial usage, by using WGS analysis. Results show that ESBL/AmpC E. coli occurrence is common both in the caecum and in the packaged meat. However, compared to other European countries, the occurrence is low and the presence of AMR genes other than blaCMY-2 and blaCTX-M-1 is rare. More studies are needed to understand the ESBL/AmpC E. coli occurrence in broiler production to prevent the meat from contamination during slaughter and processing, thereby also preventing zoonotic transmission of ESBL/AmpC E. coli. Additionally, more studies are needed to understand the ecology and fitness cost of Enterobacteriaceae plasmids in animal production in order to prevent their acquisition of plasmid-encoded antimicrobial resistance genes such as carbapenem and colistin resistance genes, as this would pose a great hazard to food safety.Peer reviewe
Steroid-responsive encephalopathy with a peculiar CSF biomarker profile in an 89-year-old man
Being treatable, steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT), or Hashimotoâs encephalopathy, should be distinguished from untreatable conditions. Our patient was a previously healthy 89-year-old man, who presented with cognitive and balance deterioration over several months. His cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination was positive for protein 14-3-3 but no other test suggested CreutzfeldtâJacob disease. His condition improved markedly, although not fully, with intravenous corticosteroids. In control CSF sampling, protein 14-3-3 was negative but a biomarker signature consistent with Alzheimerâs disease was observed. SREAT should be considered also in the very elderly in case of subacute encephalopathy.</p
Dictionary Learning-based Volumetric Image Classification for The Diagnosis of Age-related Macular Degeneration.
Inverse scattering at fixed energy on surfaces with Euclidean ends
On a fixed Riemann surface with Euclidean ends and genus ,
we show that, under a topological condition, the scattering matrix S_V(\la)
at frequency \la > 0 for the operator determines the potential
if for all
and for some , where denotes the distance
from to a fixed point . The topological condition is given by
for and by if . In \rr^2 this
implies that the operator S_V(\la) determines any potential
such that for all .Comment: 21 page
Inverse problems with partial data for a magnetic Schr\"odinger operator in an infinite slab and on a bounded domain
In this paper we study inverse boundary value problems with partial data for
the magnetic Schr\"odinger operator. In the case of an infinite slab in ,
, we establish that the magnetic field and the electric potential can
be determined uniquely, when the Dirichlet and Neumann data are given either on
the different boundary hyperplanes of the slab or on the same hyperplane. This
is a generalization of the results of [41], obtained for the Schr\"odinger
operator without magnetic potentials. In the case of a bounded domain in ,
, extending the results of [2], we show the unique determination of the
magnetic field and electric potential from the Dirichlet and Neumann data,
given on two arbitrary open subsets of the boundary, provided that the magnetic
and electric potentials are known in a neighborhood of the boundary.
Generalizing the results of [31], we also obtain uniqueness results for the
magnetic Schr\"odinger operator, when the Dirichlet and Neumann data are known
on the same part of the boundary, assuming that the inaccessible part of the
boundary is a part of a hyperplane
Key components of learning ecologies: a Delphi assessment
This is the accepted version of the following article: GonzĂĄlezâSanmamed, M. , MuñozâCarril, P. and SantosâCaamaño, F. (2019), Key components of learning ecologies: A Delphi assessment. Br J Educ Technol, 50: 1639-1655, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12805. This article may be used for
non-commercial purposes in accordance with the Wiley Self-Archiving Policy (http://www.wileyauthors.com/self-archiving)The educational landscape has changed in recent years, requiring reflection about new pedagogical methods and theories. There are three important perspectives as drivers of pedagogical reflection: lifelong and lifeâwide learning, the idea of learning as a social construct in which internal elements and changing external factors converge, and the recognition of technology as a resource that can promote ubiquitous and expanded learning. Learning ecology has been proposed as a conceptual and empirical framework, but its still emergent nature along with its multidimensionality and complexity require further exploration. The Delphi study we present as part of a broader research project aims to identify the components of learning ecologies. Three panel rounds with international experts were carried out, after which two important dimensions emerged in the structure of learning ecologies. The first is related to intrinsic âlearning dispositions,â which is made up of three categories: the subject's ideas about learning, their motivations and expectations. The second dimension, called âlearning processes,â comprises four components: relationships, resources, actions and context. The identification of the components of learning ecologies and their influence on formal, nonâformal and informal training processes will provide guidance for educational policies and help to better organize training programmesWe thank the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for their support of our study under a research project entitled âHow the best University Teachers Learn: Impact on Learning Ecologies on Quality of Teachingâ (ECO4LEARNâHE) (Reference: EDU2015â67907âR)S
Cargo Cults in Information Systems Development: a Definition and an Analytical Framework
Organizations today adopt agile information systems development methods (ISDM), but many do not succeed with the adoption process and in achieving desired results. Systems developers sometimes fail in efficient use of ISDM, often due to a lack of understanding the fundamental intentions of the chosen method. In many cases organizations simply imitate the behavior of others without really understanding why. This conceptual paper defines this phenomenon as an ISDM cargo cult behavior and proposes an analytical framework to identify such situations. The concept of cargo cults originally comes from the field of social anthropology and has been used to explain irrational, ritualistic imitation of certain behavior. By defining and introducing the concept in the field of information systems development we provide a diagnostic tool to better understand one of the reasons why ISDM adoption sometimes fail
E-Democracy and Network Externalities â The Case of Websites of Finnish Members of Parliament
A Design Theory for Digital Platforms Supporting Online Communities: A Multiple Case Study
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