Prevalence of extreme detergent resistance among the \u3ci\u3eEnterobacteriaceae\u3c/i\u3e

The detergent-resistance properties of 208 independent isolates of the Enterobacteriaceae have been examined. Of these bacterial strains, 200 were able to grow in the presence of ≥5% sodium dodecyl sulfate, including all members of the Klebsielleae tribe. This resistance does not appear to be plasmid encoded. It is proposed that detergent-resistant organisms he termed saponotolerant or saponophilic, by analogy with other microorganisms occupying harsh ecological niches. In contrast to their prevalent resistance to anionic detergents, not one of the 208 strains tested was found to grow in the presence of three different cationic detergents. This sensitivity to cationic detergents may be of significance in combating nosocomial infections. La resistance it I\u27 action de detergents a ete evaluee chez 208 souches non-apparentees d\u27 Enterobacteriaceae. Deux cents de ces souches bacteriennes incluant tous les membres de la tribu des Klebsielleae ont ete capables de pousser en presence d\u27une concentration ≥5% de dodecyl sulfate de sodium. Cette resistance ne semble pas de nature plasmidique. Pour designer ces organismes resistants aux detergents, il est propose d\u27utiliser les termes saponotolerants ou saponophiles par analogie avec d\u27autres microorganismes qui occupent aussi des niches ecologiques hostiles. Contrastant avec la forte prevalence des souches resistantes aux detergents anioniques, on constate qu\u27aucune des 208 souches n\u27etait capable de pousser en presence de trois detergents cationiques differents. Cette sensibilite aux detergents cationiques pourrait s\u27averer interessante it exploiter dans la lutte aux infections nosocomiales

Using Decision Analysis to Improve Malaria Control Policy Making

Malaria and other vector-borne diseases represent a significant and growing burden in many tropical countries. Successfully addressing these threats will require policies that expand access to and use of existing control methods, such as insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and artemesinin combination therapies (ACTs) for malaria, while weighing the costs and benefits of alternative approaches over time. This paper argues that decision analysis provides a valuable framework for formulating such policies and combating the emergence and re-emergence of malaria and other diseases. We outline five challenges that policy makers and practitioners face in the struggle against malaria, and demonstrate how decision analysis can help to address and overcome these challenges. A prototype decision analysis framework for malaria control in Tanzania is presented, highlighting the key components that a decision support tool should include. Developing and applying such a framework can promote stronger and more effective linkages between research and policy, ultimately helping to reduce the burden of malaria and other vector-borne diseases

Congruences modulo prime powers of Hecke eigenvalues in level 11

We continue the study of strong, weak, and $dc$-weak eigenforms introduced by Chen, Kiming, and Wiese. We completely determine all systems of Hecke eigenvalues of level $1$ modulo $128$, showing there are finitely many. This extends results of Hatada and can be considered as evidence for the more general conjecture formulated by the author together with Kiming and Wiese on finiteness of systems of Hecke eigenvalues modulo prime powers at any fixed level. We also discuss the finiteness of systems of Hecke eigenvalues of level $1$ modulo $9$, reducing the question to the finiteness of a single eigenvalue. Furthermore, we answer the question of comparing weak and $dc$-weak eigenforms and provide the first known examples of non-weak $dc$-weak eigenforms.Comment: 28 pages; Minor revisio

Exploring Interventions to Reduce Cognitive Decline in Aging

As the population ages, risks for cognitive decline threaten independence and quality of life for older adults and present challenges to the health care system. Nurses are in a unique position to advise older adults about cognitive health promotion and to develop interventions that optimize cognition in older adults. A literature review was conducted to provide nurses in mental health and geriatric care with an overview of research related to the promotion of successful cognitive aging for older adults. Research evaluating cognitively stimulating lifestyles and the effects on cognitive function in older adults of interventions targeting cognitive training, physical activity, social engagement, and nutrition were reviewed. Overall research findings support positive effects of cognitive and physical activity, social engagement, and therapeutic nutrition in optimizing cognitive aging. However, the strength of the evidence is limited by research designs. Applications for health promotion to optimize cognitive aging and future directions for research are discussed

Kinetic studies of the methanation of CO over a Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst using a batch reactor

The methanation of CO was investigated in a gradientless, spinning-basket reactor at temperatures 443 – 473 K and pressures up to 16 bar. The reactor was operated in batch and the composition of its contents was determined periodically. Temperature programmed studies and DRIFTS analysis were performed to gain an understanding of the nature of the surface of the catalyst. In all experiments, the reaction initially proceeded with a constant rate period. This was followed by a marked increase in the rate of production of CH4 after the depletion of CO, attributed to the hydrogenation of remaining carbonyl groups on the surface as well as the hydrogenolysis of long-chained paraffins in the reactor. The selectivity for CH4 was found to be significantly lower than that observed in CO2 methanation, consistent with the low H2 to CO ratio on the surface of the catalyst. Temperature-programmed studies and DRIFTS studies of the spent catalyst identified two main types of carbonaceous species on the surface of the catalyst, with the results being consistent with the presence of (i) carbonyl species on nickel clusters and (ii) formate groups on nickel sites which have a stronger interaction with the alumina support. The former were found to be reactive at the temperatures studied. Finally, the rate of methanation was found to be insensitive to H2O. This was attributed to the strong affinity of the nickel catalyst for CO, which saturates the surface of the catalyst leaving little opportunity for the adsorption of H2O. Two models were derived assuming that the rate-limiting steps was either (i) the adsorption of H2 on the catalyst, or (ii) the reaction of gaseous H2 with adsorbed CO. The strong adsorption of CO on the surface of the catalyst, evident from various experimental observations, is consistent with both mechanisms

Stratified University Strategies: The Shaping of Institutional Legitimacy in a Global Perspective

Globalizing forces have both transformed the higher education sector and made it increasingly homogenous. Growing similarities among universities have been attributed to isomorphic pressures to ensure and/or enhance legitimacy by imitating higher education institutions that are perceived as successful internationally, particularly universities that are highly ranked globally (Cantwell & Kauppinen, 2014; DiMaggio and Powell, 1983). In this study, we compared the strategic plans of 78 high-ranked, low-ranked, and unranked universities in 33 countries in 9 regions of the world. In analyzing the plans of these 78 universities, the study explored patterns of similarity and difference in universities' strategic positioning according to Suchman's (1995) 3 types of legitimacy: cognitive, pragmatic, and moral. We found evidence of stratified university strategies in a global higher education landscape that varied by institutional status. In offering a corrective to neoinstitutional theory, we suggest that patterns of globalization are mediated by status-based differences in aspirational behavior (Riesman, 1958) and "old institutional" forces (Stinchcombe, 1997) that contribute to differently situated universities pursuing new paths in seeking to build external legitimacy.18 month embargo; published online: 13 Sep 2018This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Genome-Wide Association Meta-analysis of Neuropathologic Features of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias are a major public health challenge and present a therapeutic imperative for which we need additional insight into molecular pathogenesis. We performed a genome-wide association study and analysis of known genetic risk loci for AD dementia using neuropathologic data from 4,914 brain autopsies. Neuropathologic data were used to define clinico-pathologic AD dementia or controls, assess core neuropathologic features of AD (neuritic plaques, NPs; neurofibrillary tangles, NFTs), and evaluate commonly co-morbid neuropathologic changes: cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), Lewy body disease (LBD), hippocampal sclerosis of the elderly (HS), and vascular brain injury (VBI). Genome-wide significance was observed for clinico-pathologic AD dementia, NPs, NFTs, CAA, and LBD with a number of variants in and around the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE). GalNAc transferase 7 (GALNT7), ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family G (WHITE), Member 1 (ABCG1), and an intergenic region on chromosome 9 were associated with NP score; and Potassium Large Conductance Calcium-Activated Channel, Subfamily M, Beta Member 2 (KCNMB2) was strongly associated with HS. Twelve of the 21 non-APOE genetic risk loci for clinically-defined AD dementia were confirmed in our clinico-pathologic sample: CR1, BIN1, CLU, MS4A6A, PICALM, ABCA7, CD33, PTK2B, SORL1, MEF2C, ZCWPW1, and CASS4 with 9 of these 12 loci showing larger odds ratio in the clinico-pathologic sample. Correlation of effect sizes for risk of AD dementia with effect size for NFTs or NPs showed positive correlation, while those for risk of VBI showed a moderate negative correlation. The other co-morbid neuropathologic features showed only nominal association with the known AD loci. Our results discovered new genetic associations with specific neuropathologic features and aligned known genetic risk for AD dementia with specific neuropathologic changes in the largest brain autopsy study of AD and related dementias