Acinetobacter Bacteriophage Discovery in Soil

The Acinetobacter genus is home to a wide range of bacteria that are gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, oxidase-negative, catalase positive, and coccobacilli with a G+C content of 39 to 47% (Bergogne-Berezin, 1996). These bacteria are universal as they reside in the soil, water, sewage, various surfaces; and are also able to infect humans; however, a majority of the infections are caused by the species Acinetobacter baumannii. This bacterium is the most prevalent etiological cause of the Acinetobacter infections due to it being a nosocomial infection or one that is acquired in a health care setting. The infections that occur in a healthcare environment are typically isolated to intensive care units and other settings with very ill patients. Our project focused on the discovery and identification of bacteriophage that infected Acinetobacter baylyi. We succeeded in isolating and purifying those phages from soil samples taken on the campus of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Our project shows that phages infecting these bacteria may be found in the soil in which they inhabit and if their prevalence in the environment matches that Acinetobacter baylyi, then a great diversity of phage may be present

The Growth and Development of Business Education in the Schools of the United States

Business Education is that education and training which prepares specifically for an understanding of the relation- ship and the performance of activities in business. The interest of the American people in business has been accompanied by a rapid growth of business education in the schools of the United States. This study was made to trace the growth of business education and to discover what connection there may be between business education and business

The incidence of recurrence after Delorme's procedure for full thickness rectal prolapse - a retrospective private-public cohort study

Background: Delorme's perineal repair has remained a procedure reserved for full-thickness rectal prolapse in elderly or co-morbid patients due to its low morbidity and complications. Reported recurrence rates are higher than in abdominal approaches. Aim: The study assesses long-term outcomes after Delorme's procedure (DP), specifically recurrence and postoperative bowel function, in both a multi-surgeon public hospital and a single surgeon cohort in the private sector (Groote Schuur Hospital and Kingsbury Hospital). Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort study includes all patients who underwent DP between February 2001 and March 2014 at both study sites. The primary outcome was absence of recurrence. Secondary outcomes were bowel function (incontinence and constipation), postoperative mortality and morbidity and length of hospital stay. Patient data was collected from electronic records (Kingsbury Hospital) and paper folders/op notes (Groote Schuur Hospital) and current status was acquired by telephonic interview with either the patient, a family member or caregiver, as appropriate. Results: Seventy patients underwent DP: 37 private and 33 public, mean age 71yrs. There were 16 (23%) recurrences (7 private, 9 public), of which 8 (11%) underwent reoperation. Mean time to recurrence was 30 months (48 private; 15 public). There were 2 postoperative deaths (pneumonia, myocardial infarction), 6 major complications (rectal bleeding requiring transfusion or reoperation, bowel obstruction, pneumonia, myocardial infarction), and 6 minor complications (rectal pain, rectal bleeding not requiring reoperation or transfusion, urinary retention, confusion, hyponatraemia). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. Conclusion: Long-term outcome from this large series compares favorably with most other published series, specifically a low recurrence rate. Proposed reasons for this will be presented, within the context of the published literature

Nenana River Gorge Site HEA-62 : Preliminary Report on Archaeological Investigations 1975

The Nenana River Gorge Site (HEA-62) was discovered in June of 1974 while Dr. Thomas D. Hamilton and I were hiking in the Moody landslide area near Healy, Alaska. The site was partially destroyed by a cut that was made through a point of land near the southern end of the Nenana River Gorge during railroad construction. The great amount of cultural debris that was exposed by this cut and subsequent erosion led to our detection of fire cracked rocks, bone and artifacts on the surface near the erosional cut (Figs. 2 and 3). In the days following discovery of the site, additional surface material was collected and one 1 X 2 meter test pit was excavated to determine the site's approximate extent, cultural affinity, and stratigraphic position. From cultural material recovered on the surface and in the test excavation, it was assumed that the site was recent in time and probably an Athapaskan campsite of protohistoric age. This initial surface collection included obsidian and chert flakes, a stemmed projectile point, several pottery sherds, boulder spalls, Tci- Tho's, hammerstones, a coin, and large quantities of large mammal bone, including some specimens with saw cut marks. From the test excavation obsidian flakes, large mammal bones, and charcoal were found at a depth of approximately 50 to 60 centimeters below the present ground surface. During the winter of 1974-75 I decided to conduct an archaeological investigation of HEA-62 the following summer as a thesis project for my M.A. degree in Anthropology at the University of Alaska. This site was selected for several reasons. First among the reasons for selecting this site was the fact that it appeared to be an Athapaskan hunting campsite and very little specific information was known about these camps. Another important consideration was that the site was buried and with this protective cover, as well as an apparent spatial dimension to the site, it appeared possible that activity specific areas might be detected. Other reasons for selecting this site included the absence of knowledge concerning the late prehistory of this area, the rapid rate of erosion and destruction occuring at the site, and potential contributions to paleoenvironmental reconstructions in this area which could be gained from excavation of the site. Excavation was conducted at HEA-62 throughout the 1975 field season with support of a grant from the University of Alaska Museum's Geist Fund and the generous efforts of volunteer excavators. Mr. Eugene West was my field colleague throughout most of the field season and worked diligently and tirelessly while offering suggestions, comments and insights. Ms. Ruth Croxton was another person of immeasurable aid and contributed in excavation as well as handling logistic and supply functions necessary for successful fieldwork. Mr. Terry Dickey generously gave time, experience, and photographic assistance to the excavation at several times throughout the field season. Others who contributed unselfishly and eagerly include Don Arthur, Krisse Arthur, Russ Sackett, JoAnn Adams, George Smith, Denise Smith, Arturo Frizzera, Kathy Kirby, Terry Choy, Charles Utermohle, Sharon West, Bob Besse, Dirk_Hood, Roxanne Turner, Cindy Quisenberry, Dave Quisenberry, Janie Pearson, Ann Wien, and Ricki Marksheffel. The backfilling crew merits special consideration for this 3, thankless task. Thank Mary Croxton, Harvey Shields, Ruth Croxton, and Robert Thorson. Dr. Thomas D. Hamilton and Mr. Robert M. Thorson contributed geological insights and interpretation at the site. Robert Thorson spent additional time at the end of the field season continuing research in the area and further exploring the site geology. The Nenana River Gorge Site, which is located at Mile 353.2 on the Alaska Railroad or Mile 241 on the Fairbanks-Anchorage Highway, has been referenced with several different designations during the short time that it has been known. Initially, when the site was reported to the Alaska State Division of Parks in 1974, it was given the state inventory number HEA-13. During the winter of 1974-75 I sent information concerning the Nenana River Gorge Site to the Alaska State Division of Parks and at that time the site wa3 re-listed on the inventory as HEA-62. The site has also been listed on the inventory printout as the Nenana River Gorge and the Dry Creek Gorge. These problems have hopefully now been resolved and the Nenana River Gorge Site is now officially designated HEA-62 in the Alaska State Division of Parks Cultural Heritage Inventory. At the University of Alaska Museum the site has received designations for the years 1974 and 1975. The 1974 designation was UA-74-25 and the 1975 designation was UA-75-45. The use of multiple designations for an archaeological site within the State Division of Parks and the University of Alaska is complicated and confusing. Mr. E. James Dixon, Jr., Curator of Archeology for the University of Alaska Museum, is working on this problem and hopefully, in the near future, will have the matter resolved. The 1975 investigations at the Nenana River Gorge Site included excavation of a prehistoric Athapaskan component, excavation of a sporadic historic component, detection of two additional site localities, recovery of stratigraphic and geological information, survey and mapping of the site area, collection of palynological samples, collection and recording of present flora and fauna, and the collection of dendrochronological samples for climatological and dating correlations. This report is a tentative outline of these investigations and is necessarily bounded by incompleteness due to the present stage of analysis of the site material. At this time the faunal analysis is in progress, C14 dates are not yet available, and the descriptive information is being completed. This work is in progress and will be completed in the near future. The field season began on May 16 when we drove out of Fairbanks with our truckload of equipment and supplies. This year had a late spring, but the snow cover of the previous winter had completely melted at HEA-62 except for isolated patches. Our camp was established approximately 30 meters west of the site. We experienced several light snowfalls at this early time of the season. By the first week in June everything had greened out and summer was in full control. During the summer, a total of fifty-one days were spent in direct investigation of the site. The size of the excavation crew oscillated from one excavator alone, at times, to four or five excavators on rare days, with two excavators being the most frequent situation. Excavation was completed on forty-eight one-meter squares and these ranged in depth from 55 to 110 centimeters in the main excavation area. One 1 X 1.5 meter square was excavated to a depth of 5.25 meters. Although the main excavation was concentrated near the area of erosion resulting from the railroad cut (see site map), several other localities were discovered and tested. The main excavation area is designated Locality I. Locality II is on the ridge above the main site area and on the west side of the highway. Locality III is on the ridge and the east side of the highway. The 1975 field season was completed on September 1 when backfilling was completed in the main excavation area (Locality I) and our camp was disassembled. By the last week in August snow was falling daily above 3,000 feet on the surrounding mountains.Excavation was conducted at HEA-62 throughout the 1975 field season with support of a grant from the University of Alaska Museum's Geist Fund and the generous efforts of volunteer excavators

Case Study: An unusual case of Wernicke’s encephalopathy - Thiamin deficiency in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma

No Abstract

Rapunzel syndrome: A South African variety

Trichobezoars are intraluminal accretions of ingested hair. Rapunzel syndrome is a rare and extreme presentation, with the trichobezoar extending into the small intestine. It is most frequently reported in children and psychiatric patients. We report a South African series of 5 patients who presented with trichobezoars. Each patient was retrospectively reviewed and analysed with regard to background, demographics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, surgical management and complications. Five female patients with a median age of 19 (range 12 - 27) years presented with clinical symptoms, including early satiety, intermittent vomiting with gastric outlet obstruction, abdominal pain and weight loss. The diagnosis was made by endoscopy, abdominal computed tomography (CT) imaging, barium meal examination or plain abdominal radiography. Two patients presented with sealed/contained gastric perforations, and 1 patient with a smallbowel perforation. All 5 bezoars, 2 of which consisted entirely of artificial hair extensions, extended into the jejunum, the longest measuring 1.4 m. All were removed by laparotomy. While trichobezoars are a rare entity, they may present with significant complications, such as obstructions and perforations. In view of the infection risk and considerable size of many of these bezoars, an open removal is probably safer than any minimally invasive attempt.S Afr Med J 2018;108(7):559-562

Young people with visual impairments and their social inclusion in secondary mainstream settings: exploring perspectives of the young people, their parents and key professionals

This research was concerned with exploring the views of children and young people with a visual impairment (CYPVI) about their experiences and perceptions of social inclusion in secondary mainstream settings in England. It also targeted parents and key professionals working with and around CYPVI in their school setting.\ud \ud The challenge for CYPVI in ‘becoming social and communicative’, particularly for those with the most limited vision, is well documented and it has been suggested that these young people are socially isolated in mainstream settings. The lifelong benefits that arise from successful social inclusion have also been reported, yet there exists a paucity of research regarding the socio-emotional experiences of CYPVI in mainstream settings, particularly those of a secondary age.\ud \ud The current study, conducted by a Trainee Educational Psychologist, who was herself visually impaired, adopted a qualitative methodology. Semi-structured interviews were used with 12 young people, with a severe visual impairment, drawn from five London Boroughs; short questionnaires were used to elicit parents’ and key professionals’ perspectives. Thematic analysis was conducted on the data and eight main themes identified which were interpreted and presented within a conceptual analysis framework.\ud \ud Although limited generalisability, owing to small sample size, was acknowledged, the findings indicate that CYPVI face many potential challenges to their successful social inclusion, particularly during the period of adolescence. Implications of the findings for future practice are discussed; the consideration given to the role of Educational Psychologists in understanding and supporting CYPVI was privileged

Early Results from the Galactic O-Star Spectroscopic Survey: C III Emission Lines in Of Spectra

On the basis of an extensive new spectroscopic survey of Galactic O stars, we introduce the Ofc category, which consists of normal spectra with C III \lambda\lambda4647-4650-4652 emission lines of comparable intensity to those of the Of defining lines N III \lambda\lambda4634-4640-4642. The former feature is strongly peaked to spectral type O5, at all luminosity classes, but preferentially in some associations or clusters and not others. The relationships of this phenomenon to the selective C III \lambda5696 emission throughout the normal Of domain, and to the peculiar, variable Of?p category, for which strong C III \lambda\lambda4647-4650-4652 emission is a defining characteristic, are discussed. Magnetic fields have recently been detected on two members of the latter category. We also present two new extreme Of?p stars, NGC 1624-2 and CPD -28^{\circ}2561, bringing the number known in the Galaxy to five. Modeling of the behavior of these spectral features can be expected to better define the physical parameters of both normal and peculiar objects, as well as the atomic physics involved.Comment: 12 pages, 1 table, 2 figures; accepted for ApJL, vol. 71

Gravity Drip Irrigation System

A gravity-fed, drip irrigation system prototype has been developed for use in raised garden beds and other small-scale crop irrigation applications. The original developer of the prototype and sponsor of the project, Tina Creel, is seeking to refine it into a functional consumer product through the implementation of technical engineering and standard manufacturing processes. The scope of the project includes the tank support system and supply of water to the sponsors current piping subsystem. It does not include any modifications to the bed, piping system or water tank itself. The target specifications of the system include its load capacity, dimensions, susceptibility to leakage, durability, and assembly time. Numerous potential design concepts were ideated and compared so that a design direction could be established. This document serves as a complete outline of the project and includes the initial design/research proceedings, concept design process, explanation of the chosen design, and the manufacturing process as well as the testing results for the prototype design

Spectroscopic analysis of the B/Be visual binary HR 1847

We studied both components of a slightly overlooked visual binary HR 1847 spectroscopically to determine its basic physical and orbital parameters. Basic stellar parameters were determined by comparing synthetic spectra to the observed echelle spectra, which cover both the optical and near-IR regions. New observations of this system used the Ond\v{r}ejov and Rozhen 2-m telescopes and their coud\'e spectrographs. Radial velocities from individual spectra were measured and then analysed with the code {\FOTEL} to determine orbital parameters. The spectroscopic orbit of HR 1847A is presented for the first time. It is a single-lined spectroscopic binary with a B-type primary, a period of 719.79 days, and a highly eccentric orbit with e=0.7. We confirmed that HR 1847B is a Be star. Its H\alpha emission significantly decreased from 2003 to 2008. Both components have a spectral type B7-8 and luminosity class IV-V.Comment: Astronomy and Astrophysics, accepte