Complete microcrystalline p-i-n solar cell—Crystalline or amorphous cell behavior?

Complete µc-Si:H p-i-n solar cells have been prepared by the very high frequency glow discharge method. Up to now, intrinsic µc-Si:H has never attracted much attention as a photovoltaic active material. However, an efficiency of 4.6% and remarkably high short circuit current densities of up to 21.9 mA/cm2 due to an enhanced absorption in the near-infrared could be obtained. First light-soaking experiments indicate no degradation for the entirely µc-Si:H cells. Voltage-dependent spectral response measurements suggest that the carrier transport in complete µc-Si:H p-i-n cells may possibly be cosupported by diffusion (in addition to drift)

Emergence of SCC mec Type IV as the Most Common Type of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a University Hospital

Abstract : Background: : The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has dramatically changed over the last decade by the emergence of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). Recent studies indicate that these strains have already spread to hospitals. To evaluate if SCCmec type IV and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) are unambiguous markers of CA-MRSA, we analyzed 77 sporadic MRSA strains isolated, in our low MRSA incidence university hospital, from inpatients between 2000 and 2004. Methods: : MRSA strains were analyzed by staphylococcal cassette chromosome mmecec (SCCmec) typing, PCR for PVL genes and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). MRSA was classified in HA-MRSA or CA-MRSA according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using microbroth dilution method following CLSI recommendations. Results: : Among 77 sporadic single-patient strains, SCCmec types I-IV and four subtypes were identified. Type IV/IVA was most common (42.9%).The distribution of SCCmec types changed over the years. Type IV/IVA strains increased from 33.3% in 2000 to 57.9% in 2004. Type IV strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin in 81.8%, and in 9.1% to tobramycin while type IVA strains were 100% resistant to both antimicrobials. In contrast, non-type IV/IVA strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin in 86.4%, and in 75.0% to tobramycin. Only one strain was PVL positive and harbored SCCmec type III variant. By PFGE analysis, the 33 SCCmec type IV/IVA strains comprised 12 distinct genotypes. 36.4% of 11 CA-MRSA and 43.9% of 66 HA-MRSA harbored SCCmec type IV/IVA. Conclusion: : Type IV/IVA has become the most common SCCmec type in inpatients of our university hospital. The SCCmec type IV/IVA is present in both CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA limiting its use as a marker for CA-MRS

Prevalence of thoracic vertebral malformations in french bulldogs, pugs and english bulldogs with and without associated neurological deficits

Congenital vertebral malformations are common incidental findings in small breed dogs. This retrospective observational study evaluated the type and prevalence of thoracic vertebral malformations in 171 neurologically normal and 10 neurologically abnormal screw-tailed brachycephalic dogs. Neurologically normal dogs underwent CT for reasons unrelated to spinal disease, while affected dogs underwent MRI. Imaging studies were reviewed and vertebral malformations including hemivertebrae, block vertebrae, transitional vertebrae, and spina bifida were documented. The group of clinically normal dogs consisted of 62 French bulldogs, 68 Pugs and 41 English bulldogs. The group of affected dogs consisted of one French bulldog and nine Pugs. Overall, 80.7% of neurologically normal animals were affected by at least one vertebral malformation. There was a significant influence of breed, with thoracic vertebral malformations occurring more often in neurologically normal French bulldogs (P < 0.0001) and English bulldogs (P = 0.002). Compared to other breeds, hemivertebrae occurred more often in neurologically normal French bulldogs (93.5%; P < 0.0001 vs. Pugs; P = 0.004 vs. English bulldogs) and less often in neurologically normal Pugs (17.6%; P = 0.004 vs. English bulldogs). Neurologically normal Pugs were more often diagnosed with transitional vertebrae and spina bifida compared to other breeds (P < 0.0001 for both malformations). Of Pugs included in the study, 4.7% were diagnosed with clinically relevant thoracic vertebral malformations. When compared to the general veterinary hospital population, this was significantly more than the other two breeds (P = 0.006). This study indicates that thoracic vertebral malformations occur commonly in neurologically normal screw-tailed brachycephalic dogs. While hemivertebrae are often interpreted as incidental diagnostic findings, they appear to be of greater clinical importance in Pugs compared to other screw-tailed brachycephalic breeds

Un acercamiento al sistema educativo de suiza: currícula 21 y su implicancia en el desarrollo humano sostenible

The world societies go through a very rapid transformation like result, between other things, to the incorporation of the technologies to all the ambiences of the personal and social life. Switzerland as other countries is not foreign tothese changes and in the educational ambience, it offers across its Curricula 21 an alternative according to the current requirements. The education in Switzerland is a competence transferred in 26 Cantons that shape the Swiss Confederacy.Twenty-one Cantons of German speech received the Curricula 21 for the harmonization of the obligatory school in the frame of the interactional Concordat HarmoS. The target of the Concordat consists of improving the quality of theobligatory public education and overcoming the obstacles that make the educational mobility difficult between the cantons.Las sociedades mundiales atraviesan una transformación muy rápida como resultado, entre otras cosas, a la incorporación de las tecnologías a todos los ámbitos de la vida personal y social. Suiza al igual que otros países no es ajeno a estoscambios y en el ámbito educativo, ofrece a través de su Currícula 21 una alternativa acorde a las exigencias actuales. La educación en Suiza es una competencia transferida a los 26 Cantones que conforman la Confederación Helvética. Losveintiún Cantones de habla alemana recibieron la Currícula 21 para la armonización de la escuela obligatoria en el marco del Concordato intercantonal HarmoS. El objetivo del Concordato consiste en mejorar la calidad de la enseñanza públicaobligatoria y superar los obstáculos que dificultan la movilidad educacional entre los cantones

DanceMoves: A Visual Analytics Tool for Dance Movement Analysis

Analyzing body movement as a means of expression is of interest in diverse areas, such as dance, sports, films, as well as anthropology or archaeology. In particular, in choreography, body movements are at the core of artistic expression. Dance moves are composed of spatial and temporal structures that are difficult to address without interactive visual data analysis tools. We present a visual analytics solution that allows the user to get an overview of, compare, and visually search dance move features in video archives. With the help of similarity measures, a user can compare dance moves and assess dance poses. We illustrate our approach through three use cases and an analysis of the performance of our similarity measures. The expert feedback and the experimental results show that 75% to 80% of dance moves can correctly be categorized. Domain experts recognize great potential in this standardized analysis. Comparative and motion analysis allows them to get detailed insights into temporal and spatial development of motion patterns and poses

Secular Trend and Risk Factors for Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolates in Switzerland 1997-2007

Abstract : Background: : Antibacterial resistance in Escherichia coli isolates of urinary infections, mainly to fluoroquinolones, is emerging. The aim of our study was to identify the secular trend of resistant E. coli isolates and to characterize the population at risk for colonization or infections with these organisms. Patients and Methods: : Retrospective analysis of 3,430 E.coli first isolates of urine specimens from patients admitted to the University Hospital Basel in 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2007. Results: : Resistance to ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and amoxicillin/clavulanate has increased over the 10-year study period (from 1.8% to 15.9%, 17.4% to 21.3%, and 9.5% to 14.5%, respectively). A detailed analysis of the 2007 data revealed that independent risk factors for ciprofloxacin resistance were age (5.3% 75 years; odds ratio [OR] 1.29 per 10 years, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-1.45, p < 0.001) and male gender (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.05-2.41, p = 0.04). In contrast, nosocomial E. coli isolates were associated with lower odds of ciprofloxacin resistance (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28-0.67, p < 0.001). The frequency of resistant isolate rates was not influenced by the clinical significance (i.e., colonization vs urinary tract infection, UTI) or by whether the urine was taken from a urinary catheter. Importantly, the increase in ciprofloxacin resistance paralleled the increase in ciprofloxacin consumption in Switzerland (Pearson's correlation test R2= 0.998, p = 0.002). Of note, resistance was less frequent in isolates sent in by general practitioners. However, after adjustment for age and gender, only resistance against amoxicillin/clavulanate was found to be less frequent (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.16-0.92, p = 0.03). Conclusion: : Our study reveals that resistance rates have been increasing during the last decade. Published resistance rates may lack information due to important differences regarding age, gender, and probable origin of the isolates. Empirical therapy for UTI should be guided more on individual risk profile and local resistance data than on resistance data bank

Lymphogranuloma venereum: Eine alte Krankheit in neuem Kleid

Zusammenfassung: Lymphogranuloma venereum ist eine sexuell übertragene Erkrankung verursacht durch Chlamydia trachomatis der Serotypen L1, L2 und L3. Die klassische Manifestation ist eine schmerzhafte inguinale Lymphadenopathie, welche ohne Behandlung zu schwerwiegenden Komplikationen führt. Daneben wird seit einigen Jahren gehäuft eine ulzerierende Proktitis beschrieben, speziell bei Männern, die Sex mit Männern haben. Da die klinischen Beschwerden unspezifisch sind, muss bei Proktitis aktiv nach Chlamydia trachomatis gesucht werden. Die Diagnostik des Lymphogranuloma venereum erfolgt heute hauptsächlich mit molekularen Testverfahren. Zur Therapie wird Tetracyclin über 3Wochen empfohlen. Die Erkrankung wird anhand von 5 aktuellen klinischen Fallbeispielen dargestell

How Is Variety in Daily Life Related to the Expression of Personality States? An Ambulatory Assessment Study

People differ in the way they live their daily lives. For some people, daily life is characterized by multiple and diverse experiences, while others have more stability and routine in their lives. However, little is known about how variety in daily life relates to the expression of personality states. The present study examined within-person associations between variety in social partners, places, and activities with state expression. Data came from an ambulatory assessment study (N = 962, Mage = 25.49) with four assessments per day over a period of six consecutive days. The results of the multilevel modeling analyses suggest that variety in daily life is associated with some, but not all, state expressions. For instance, on days when participants experienced a greater variety in activities, they reported being less neurotic and conscientious, but also more agreeable. In addition, the links between all social partners, places, and activities with the expression of the state were examined simultaneously to obtain more detailed information on the multifaceted nature of situation-state expression links. We conclude that variety in daily life has both theoretical and empirical relevance for the expression of personality states