Molecular analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA from a family of 18th century Hungarians

The naturally mummified remains of a mother and two daughters found in an 18th century Hungarian crypt were analysed, using multiple molecular genetic techniques to examine the epidemiology and evolution of tuberculosis. DNA was amplified from a number of targets on the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome, including DNA from IS6110, gyrA, katG codon 463, oxyR, dnaA–dnaN, mtp40, plcD and the direct repeat (DR) region. The strains present in the mummified remains were identified as M. tuberculosis and not Mycobacterium bovis, from katG and gyrA genotyping, PCR from the oxyR and mtp40 loci, and spoligotyping. Spoligotyping divided the samples into two strain types, and screening for a deletion in the MT1801–plcD region initially divided the strains into three types. Further investigation showed, however, that an apparent deletion was due to poor DNA preservation. By comparing the effect of PCR target size on the yield of amplicon, a clear difference was shown between 18th century and modern M. tuberculosis DNA. A two-centre system was used to confirm the findings of this study, which clearly demonstrate the value of using molecular genetic techniques to study historical cases of tuberculosis and the care required in drawing conclusions. The genotyping and spoligotyping results are consistent with the most recent theory of the evolution and spread of the modern tuberculosis epidemic

Напрями та шляхи вдосконалення матеріально-технічного забезпечення підприємств АПК регіону

Background The growing number of web-based psychological treatments, based on textual communication, generates a wealth of data that can contribute to knowledge of online and face-to-face treatments. We investigated whether clients language use predicted treatment outcomes and adherence in Master Your Mood (MYM), an online group course for young adults with depressive symptoms. Methods Among 234 participants from a randomised controlled trial of MYM, we tested whether their word use on course application forms predicted baseline levels of depression, anxiety and mastery, or subsequent treatment adherence. We then analysed chat session transcripts of course completers (n=67) to investigate whether word use changes predicted changes in treatment outcomes. Results Depression improvement was predicted by increasing use of 'discrepancy words' during treatment (e.g. should). At baseline, more discrepancy words predicted higher mastery level. Adherence was predicted by more words used at application, more social words and fewer discrepancy words. Limitations Many variables were included, increasing the chance of coincidental results. This risk was constrained by examining only those word categories that have been investigated in relation to depression or adherence. Conclusions This is the first study to link word use during treatment to outcomes of treatment that has proven to be effective in an RCT. The results suggest that paying attention to the length of problem articulation at application and to 'discrepancy words' may be wise, as these seem to be psychological markers. To expand knowledge of word use as psychological marker, research on web-based treatment should include text analysis. © 2014 The Authors

The contribution of charcoal production to rural livelihoods in a semi-arid area in Kenya

Forest incomes in the form of both timber and non-timber forest products are an important source of livelihood for many communities in Africa. A major forest resource is charcoal, which contributes to the livelihoods of millions across the region. While incomes from charcoal are used to meet a wide spectrum of needs within rural livelihoods, the role of charcoal production on livelihoods of small-scale producers is not well understood. Therefore, we provide an example on the importance of charcoal on livelihoods in an agropastoralist community in a semi-arid region in Kenya. Based on a household questionnaire targeting 150 charcoal and 150 non-charcoal makers, as well as focus group discussions, we assessed the determinants for participation in charcoal production and developed a household typology based on charcoal income dependence. We also determined the role of charcoal in income equalization and poverty reduction. Our study shows that charcoal contributes about 20% of the household income in the study area. Gender, land size and the number of food-scarce months are the key determinants of participation in charcoal production. Based on the poverty analysis, we conclude that even though charcoal income does not lift the producers out of poverty, it can mitigate the impacts of poverty by reducing the poverty gap and poverty severity. Based on our findings, we recommend a multipronged approach to address sustainable rural livelihoods including a more explicit acknowledgement of charcoal production as a source of rural income. We also recommend broadening of the local livelihood base and a more active management of the woodland to ensure the sustainability of the income

Large scale experiments on beach evolution induced by bichromatic wave groups with varying group period

New large scale experimental data have been presented showing the wave group influence on beach morphodynamics at the surf and swash zones. Bichromatic wave conditions were generated varying the modulation bandwidth but keeping the wave energetic content constant within the experimentation limits. The wave group influence in the surf zone is observed in the form of the cross-shore location of the breaker bar respect to the initial still water level (SWL) location, which has been shown to increase as increases the wave group period. This influence is explained in terms of differences on the surf zone width induced by the varying wave group periods. In the swash zone, time dependent bed level elevation measurements were done using a newly developed conductivity technique, the CCM+ system. Bed level time variations at the swash zone have shown to be composed of a long scale trend and bed level oscillations of shorter frequencies related to the wave group forcing. A good spectral correlation has been found between the water surface elevation and bed level variation at the wave group period for every bichromatic component indicating an important influence of wave groups on the swash zone morphodynamics

What Is Strategy In Urban Mobility Systems?

Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies. Faculty of Economics and Business. The University of Sydne

Effect of schottky barrier alteration on the low-frequency noise of InP based HEMTs

For the first time the effect of increasing the Schottky barrier's Al content of InP-based InAlAs-InGaAs HEMTs from 48 to 60% on the low-frequency (LF) drain and gate current noise is investigated. It is shown that the LF gate current noise SIG(f) for the 60% case decreases by almost three decades, while the LF drain current noise S IDS(f) stays at the same level. From small coherence values, it can be concluded that drain and gate noise sources can be treated separately which facilitates the LF noise modeling of these HEMT

Does a Dose Calculator as an Add-On to a Web-Based Paediatric Formulary Reduce Calculation Errors in Paediatric Dosing? A Non-Randomized Controlled Study

OBJECTIVES: The structured digital dosing guidelines of the web-based Dutch Paediatric Formulary provided the opportunity to develop an integrated paediatric dose calculator. In a simulated setting, we tested the ability of this calculator to reduce calculation errors. METHODS: Volunteer healthcare professionals were allocated to one of two groups, manual calculation versus the use of the dose calculator. Professionals in both groups were given access to a web-based questionnaire with 14 patient cases for which doses had to be calculated. The effect of group allocation on the probability of making a calculation error was determined using generalized estimated equations (GEE) logistic regression analysis. The causes of all the erroneous calculations were evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy-seven healthcare professionals completed the web-based questionnaire: thirty-seven were allocated to the manual group and 40 to the calculator group. Use of the dose calculator resulted in an estimated mean probability of a calculation error of 24.4% (95% CI 16.3-34.8) versus 39.0% (95% CI 32.4-46.1) with use of manual calculation. The mean difference of probability of calculation error between groups was 14.6% (95% CI 3.1-26.2; p =