Distribution Resistance Research Articles

Antibiotics versus Non-Antibiotic in the treatment of Aspiration Pneumonia: analysis of the MIMIC-IV database

BackgroundAspiration pneumonia (AP) is a common complication in the intensive care unit (ICU), which is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality and has a significant impact on patient prognosis. Antibiotics are commonly used in the clinical treatment of AP. However, the prognostic impact of antibiotics on patients with AP has not been adequately characterized. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the relationship between the use of antibiotics and in-hospital mortality of AP patients, as well as to analyze the effects of different antibiotic treatment regimens on the prognosis of the patients, and to further understand the distribution of pathogens and drug resistance in AP patients, so as to provide guidance information for the rational use of medication for patients in the clinic.MethodsClinical data of AP patients were extracted from the MIMIC-IV database. Statistical methods included multivariate logistic regression, propensity score matching (PSM), and inverse probability weighting (IPW) based on propensity scores to ensure the robustness of the findings. In addition, the characteristics of the medications used by patients with AP were described using statistical graphs and tables.ResultsA total of 4132 patients with AP were included. In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the group using antibiotics compared to the group not using antibiotics (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27- 0.71, P = 0.001). Furthermore, in the group using mechanical ventilation (MV), antibiotics use significantly reduced in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.15–0.57, P < 0.001).Vancomycin and cephalosporins are the most commonly used antibiotics to treat AP. Specifically, vancomycin in combination with piperacillin-tazobactam was used most frequently with 396 cases. The highest survival rate (97.6\\%) was observed in patients treated with levofloxacin combined with metronidazole. Additionally, vancomycin combined with piperacillin-tazobactam had many inflammation related features that differed significantly from those in patients who did not receive medication.ConclusionsAntibiotics use is closely associated with lower in-hospital mortality in ICU patients with AP. Moreover, understanding antibiotics use, the composition of pathogenic bacteria, and the rates of drug resistance in patients with AP can aid in disease prevention and prompt infection control.

Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography for Improved Blast Movement Monitor Locations Planning

Blast-induced rock movement is a highly variable phenomenon which depends on numerous factors. Rock type and its deriving physical and mechanical properties are among such factors, which are crucial to be available prior to planning the locations where each monitor is placed. Hence, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) was used to acquire additional rock mass data for several benches of an open-pit mining operation. ERT is considered a valuable tool in mine planning. By providing information about the subsurface electrical resistivity distribution, ERT helps in determination of geological structures, composition of the ground and helps assessing potential hazards. A total of 21 profiles were measured, which allowed for relevant data to be obtained regarding each monitor’s location. Results from the study showed that blast movement measurements from different rock-type zones do not differ in a statistically significant manner. However, substantial differences were uncovered regarding the mode of movement vectors by using Kernel density estimation (KDE). These results proved that ERT is a fast and reliable support method for establishing different rock mass zones and for location planning of blast movement monitors and blast design optimization prior to drilling.

Interpretation of a 3D Magnetotellurics Model of the Aceh and Seulimeum Segments of the Sumatran Fault Zone

The Sumatran Fault runs from the southeast (SE) to the northwest (NW) of Sumatra Island, with the highest slip rates reaching about 3.0 cm per year in the northwestern part. There is a seismic gap along this fault, including the northern Aceh domain, which consists of the Aceh and Seulimeum fault segments. Previous studies have used various methods to investigate the Sumatran Fault system, including seismic, geoelectric, gravity anomaly, and magnetotellurics (MT). The MT method has proven advantageous as it can non-destructively image a wide range of depths. However, previous studies using the two-dimensional (2D) MT inversion did not represent realistic information of the subsurface conditions. Therefore, a three-dimensional (3D) MT data inversion was used in this study to obtain more realistic information about the resistivity structure of the Aceh and Seulimeum segments. The results confirmed that the Sumatran Fault is a strike-slip fault, with a relatively northwest (NW)–southeast (SE) direction of conductivity strike with an angle of S 71.61° E from Groom–Bailey decomposition of MT data. The 3D resistivity distribution model from 33 stations showed that the Aceh Fault Segment is 20–30 km away, while the Seulimeum Fault Segment is 55–60 km away based on the MT data. The results also indicated a creeping zone at a depth of 2 km beneath the Aceh Fault Segment. Different rock formations were identified beneath the fault system, with the western part of the Aceh Segment dominated by high-resistivity metamorphic rocks (150–1000 Ωm) from the Triassic–Cretaceous age. The zone between the Aceh and Seulimeum fault segments exhibited low resistivity, characterized by volcanic rocks (1–15 Ωm) from the Lam Teuba Volcanic Formation and the Indrapuri Formation. Beneath the eastern part of the Seulimeum Fault Segment was found to consist of low-resistivity quaternary volcanic rocks (1–15 Ωm) and high-resistivity andesite rocks (4.5 × 104–1.7 × 105 Ωm). These findings correlated well with the geological map.

Numerical study of specific C-shaped heat exchanger using porous medium and coarse mesh coupling method

Porous medium method is an effective simplified approach for the heat exchanger simulation when the numerous tubes and complex structures bring unacceptable computational resources to full-scale simulation. However, for the specific C-shaped heat exchanger, the tube side resistance and flow distribution characteristics that significantly affects the heat transfer and natural circulation performance cannot be obtained by the traditional porous medium method coupled with the one-dimensional node model for tube side. It is urgent to develop a new coupling method that can not only simplify modeling and calculation, but also obtain tube side high-resolution flow heat transfer characteristics. This study presents a novel calculation method which couples the porous medium mesh and the tube side coarse mesh. The coupling method was then applied to a typical C-shaped passive residual heat removal heat exchanger (PRHR HX), which is significant to the stable operation and the mitigation of accident conditions in the nuclear power plant. The coupling calculation method was validated against the full-scaled simulation and data from scaled-down experiment. The average relative error of heat transfer power is 2.1 % under steady state conditions. Under transient conditions, the average absolute error of the fluid temperature and wall temperature are less than 6 K. Then the 3D thermal-hydraulic characteristics of PRHR HX was studied. Owing to a greater gravitational pressure head, the mass flow rates in the extended tubes surpass those in the shorter tubes by a relative deviation of 27.4 %. The upper horizontal tube's heat exchange capacity constitutes approximately 70 % of the total power, leading to enhanced natural circulation. The outlet temperatures from various tubes tend to equalize. The boiling area gradually extended down along the heat transfer tubes. Our work would present an innovative calculation method to the numerical study and design optimization of the C-shaped heat exchanger.

Evaluation of adaptive capacity of slope regulation and storage measures on the Loess Plateau under drought stress

The study evaluated the adaptive ability of slope regulation and storage measures (SRASM) under drought stress, providing scientific basis for improving water resource management and ecological protection in the arid environment of the Loess Plateau region. Four SRASM including afforestation on the hilltop (forestland engineering), returning farmland to forest on the hillside (grassland engineering), building terraces on the hillside (terraced fields engineering) and damming and silting on the valley floor (silting dam engineering) can effectively solve the problem of water and soil loss on the Loess Plateau. However, it is still unclear how the adaptive capacity (resistance and resilience) of these SRASM under drought stress. This study took the above four SRASM as the study object, used the performance of the four SRASM after drought and rehydration events as the basis for judging the adaptive capacity under drought stress. It proposed evaluation methods for drought and rehydration events, as well as calculation methods for resistance and resilience. Furthermore, it analyzed the adaptive capacity of different SRASM and different sub-basins in the middle reaches of the Yellow River under drought stress, as well as the impact of slope on adaptive capacity. The results showed that when light and moderate drought occurred, four SRASM recovered to their normal state after rehydration. In terms of resilience, forestland engineering > grassland engineering > terraced fields engineering > silting dam engineering, and grassland engineering had the most prominent ability to resist drought. As the slope increased, the adaptive capacity decreased. From a spatial perspective, the resilience in the western part of the middle reaches of the Yellow River was lower than that in the eastern, and the spatial distribution of resistance in the middle reaches of the Yellow River generally decreased from northwest to southeast.

Aquifer Exploration Using the Resistivity Method with a Schlumberger Arrays in Sangubanyu Sub-Village, Banyuwangi Village, Bandongan Subdistrict, Magelang Regency

Sangubanyu sub-vilage is administratively located in Banyuwangi Village, Bandongan Subdistrict, Magelang Regency. During the dry season, it is common to find dry wells in the community, making it difficult for residents to access clean water. This situation is highly ironic, as Magelang Regency generally experiences high rainfall, is situated in the Progo and Bogowonto river basins, and is surrounded by mountains that, theoretically, act as water catchment areas. The investigation of aquifer depth was conducted using the Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) method with a Schlumberger electrode configuration, which is used to map the vertical distribution of subsurface resistivity. VES field data collection was carried out at two measurement points using two current electrodes and two potential electrodes. The electrode spread at each measurement point was 400 meters. The sounding data from each measurement point was interpreted using IP2win software version 3.01, and the results were presented as resistivity logs showing resistivity values, depths, and the thickness of each layer. The interpretation results yielded a 1D resistivity model, showing variations in resistivity with depth. The aquifer layer was identified as sandy tuff with resistivity values ranging from 17 Ωm to 21 Ωm at depths of approximately 33 to 78 meters.

Experimental study on the durability of cement-stabilized soil for post-grouted piles in calcareous sand under marine environment

To address the durability of post-grouted piles in calcareous sand within marine environments, a series of tests including micro-cone penetration, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction was conducted to study the strength changes of cement-stabilized calcareous sand under different curing times and cement ratios. The relationship between UCS and penetration resistance was established and compared with similar tests on cement-stabilized siliceous sand, revealing the micro-erosion mechanisms specific to cement-stabilized calcareous sand. The results show that based on the distribution of penetration resistance, the cement-stabilized soil in a seawater environment can be divided into eroded and non-eroded layers, with erosion depth increasing as curing time extends and cement ratio decreases. After 90 days of curing, the eroded layer exhibited increased porosity, a 34.4% reduction in peak heights of hydration products, and a 16.4% decrease in Ca2+ content compared to the non-eroded layer. These findings highlight that strength changes under seawater erosion result from a balance between enhanced strength due to hydration and weakened strength due to erosion. The study provides insights into evaluating the durability and long-term stability of post-grouted piles in calcareous sand.

Simulation and experimental study of local high frequency resistance distribution in proton exchange membrane fuel cells under steady and dynamic conditions

Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) dry–wet variation during PEM fuel cell (PEMFC) operation markedly affects PEMFC lifespan. Therefore, deeper insights into the mechanical degradation mechanism of PEM require analysis of the membrane dry–wet change process. The stress changes caused by PEM dry–wet variations may induce mechanical failure. In practice, although high-frequency resistance (HFR) is often used to indirectly characterize PEM dry–wet degrees, numerical simulation can effectively analyze the mass transfer inside a PEMFC for parameters that are difficult to measure directly experimentally (such as membrane water content). Additionally, three-dimensional (3D) model validation requires more comprehensive experimental methods. In this study, we validate the simulated resistance distribution results through local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. We also discuss the mass- and heat-transfer distribution characteristics under different current densities and analyze the influence of these characteristics on local HFR distribution variations. The calculated HFR distribution results show a certain degree of agreement with the experimental results. Due to the membrane self-humidification effect, the position of the minimum HFR value shifts upstream of the cathode at a high current density. The observed change in membrane stress results from variations in membrane water and temperature distributions with changes in current density. Steady-state HFR distribution analysis to uncover the membrane dry–wet variations caused by load changes—which would affect the HFR distribution changes—reveal that the HFR at the air outlet and the membrane dry–wet variations are more pronounced than at other locations due to the influence of reaction rate and gas velocity. Overall, this study demonstrates that 3D simulations can reliably predict the local HFR distribution of PEMFCs, enabling membrane stress variation analysis and providing guidance for fuel cell design and operation.

Changes in Vegetation Distribution around the King Sejong Station in Antarctica: A Comprehensive Analysis of Time-Lapse Electrical Resistivity Data, Meteorological Data, and Vegetation Data

Abstract The impact of buildings around the King Sejong Station (KSS), South Korea’s first scientific station in Antarctica, has locally altered snowfall accumulation and vegetation distribution. Areas with high snowfall accumulation exhibited sparse vegetation, whereas areas with low snowfall showed distinct vegetation. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis using various data sources to understand the causes of changes in vegetation distribution. Meteorological data, including air temperature, soil temperature, soil moisture, and wind, were analyzed to determine the impact of station buildings on snow cover changes. The changes in vegetation distribution were more clearly visible through results of measured Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. Additionally, time-lapse electrical resistivity data were collected throughout 2020 to analyze variations in the subsurface electrical resistivity distribution. Electrical resistivity surveys utilized both dipole–dipole and Wenner arrays to gather data, with subsurface electrical resistivity information obtained through inversion process. The active layer, which is characterized by low electrical resistivity and is conducive to vegetation growth, is distributed in the upper layers and changes over time, only in vegetated area. In contrast, the development of the active layer was not observed in nonvegetated area. In conclusion, the time-lapse electrical resistivity data effectively reveal the temporal changes in the distribution of the active layer in the study area. When the electrical resistivity data were interpreted in conjunction with meteorological data, it provided a good understanding of the causes of changes in the distribution of vegetation around the KSS.

Distribution of disinfectant resistant genes in mcr-1-carrying Escherichia coli isolated from children in southern China

BackgroundColistin, a polymyxin antibiotic, serves as a crucial defense against multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, despite its nephrotoxicity. However, the plasmid-mediated mobilization of the polymyxin resistance gene, mcr-1, presents a significant public health threat. The widespread use of disinfectants has resulted in Escherichia coli (E. coli) carrying mcr-1 also showing disinfectant resistance. The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution of disinfectant genes and resistance to disinfectants in mcr-1-carring E coli from children in the South China. MethodsWe evaluated the distribution of twelve disinfectant-resistance genes by PCR. Evaluated the correlation between disinfectant-resistance genes and resistance to disinfectants and antibiotics. We also examined the correlation between the strains' biofilm formation and the presence of disinfectant-resistance genes. Bioinformatic tools were employed to analyze resistance genes, virulence genes, and insertion sequences. Five strains were randomly selected to examine the effects of sub-inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC) of 8 disinfectants on the expression of the mcr-1 gene by qRT-PCR. ResultsThe most prevalent of the nine biocide resistance genes were mdfA, sugE(c), ydgE, and ydgF (n = 21; all 100 %). The qacG, qacF, sugE(p) and tehA gene was not detected. Furthermore, benzalkonium chloride (BC) and potassium hydrogen persulfate (PMPS)-based disinfectants were effective against all mcr-1-carrying E. coli strains. The majority of mcr-1 were distributed among the InHI2 plasmid types, although three strains lacked mcr-1 on their plasmids. Biofilm formation was observed in 48 % of the strains. emrD and sitABCD showed significant associations with the susceptibility of the strains to 84 disinfectants (P of 0.0351 and 0.0300). In addition, sitABCD was significantly associated with susceptibility to povidone-iodine (PVP-I) (P value of 0.0062). Compared to the untreated group, stimulation with sub-MIC of peracetic acid (PAA) and PVP-I resulted in decreased or increased mcr-1 expression in five E. coli strains, respectively (P of 0.0011 for PAA and P of 0.0476 for PVP-I). ConclusionBC and PMPS based disinfectants were effective against all mcr-1 carrying E. coli strains. Most of the mcr-1 genes were distributed among the InHI2 plasmid types. The emrD and sitABCD genes are highly associated with resistance to 84 disinfectants, and the sitABCD gene was highly associated with resistance to PVP-I. PVP-I selective pressure may encourage the maintenance of mcr-1 gene in E. coli.

Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Bovine Mastitis in Northern Jiangsu Province and Correlation to Drug Resistance and Biofilm Formability.

This study aimed to provide experimental support for the prevention and treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and to elucidate the epidemiological distribution of resistance and virulence genes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from mastitis in dairy cows in the northern part of Jiangsu Province and their relationship with the biofilm-forming ability of the strains. Mastitis presents a significant challenge within dairy farming, adversely impacting the health of dairy cows and precipitating substantial economic losses in milk production. In this study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) was isolated and identified from mastitis milk samples in Jiangsu Province, China. In order to characterize the isolates, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), drug resistance phenotypes, virulence genes, and biofilm formations were detected. The isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria from 168 clinical mastitis milk samples using 16S rRNA and PCR revealed 63 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which were determined to be highly homologous according to phylogenetic tree analysis. In addition, the MLST indicated five major ST types, namely ST277, ST450, ST571, ST641, and ST463. The susceptibility to 10 antimicrobials was determined, and it was found that 63 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not have a strong resistance to the antimicrobials in general. However, there were differences in the phenotypes' resistance to antimicrobials among the different ST types. It was also found that the more resistant the strains were to antimicrobials, the lower the carriage of virulence genes detected. The biofilm content was measured using the semi-quantitative crystal violet method. It was found that there were a few strains with medium or strong biofilm-forming abilities. However, the number of virulence genes carried by the 63 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was inversely proportional to the biofilm-forming ability. It was also found that there were significantly more Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the biofilm state than in the planktonic state and that strains with strong biofilm-forming abilities were more resistant to antimicrobials.

Antibiotic resistance and serotype distribution of Shigella strains in Bangladesh over the period of 2014-2022: evidence from a nationwide hospital-based surveillance for cholera and other diarrheal diseases.

This nationwide study in Bangladesh assessed Shigella infections from 2014 to 2022 from clinical samples. S. flexneri was predominant, with concerning antibiotic resistance, notably to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid in over 96% of isolates. This emphasizes the urgency of prudent antibiotic use and improved hygiene. The findings provide crucial antimicrobial resistance patterns of Shigella species, highlighting the need for ongoing resistance monitoring and potentially informing future vaccine trials.

Multiple herbicide resistance among kochia (Bassia scoparia) populations in southcentral Great Plains

Abstract Multiple herbicide-resistant (MHR) kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J. Scott] is a concern for farmers in the Great Plains. A total of 82 B. scoparia populations were collected from western Kansas (KS), western Oklahoma (OK), and High Plains of Texas (TX) during fall of 2018 and 2019 (from the various locations), and their herbicide resistance status was evaluated. The main objectives were to (1) determine the distribution and frequency of resistance to atrazine, chlorsulfuron, dicamba, fluroxypyr, and glyphosate; and (2) characterize the resistance levels to glyphosate, dicamba, and/or fluroxypyr in selected B. scoparia populations. Results indicated that 33, 100, 48, 30, and 70% of the tested B. scoparia populations were potentially resistant (≥20% survival frequency) to atrazine, chlorsulfuron, dicamba, fluroxypyr, and glyphosate, respectively. A three-way premixture of dichlorprop/dicamba/2,4-D provided 100% control of all the tested populations. Dose-response studies further revealed that KS-9 and KS-14 B. scoparia populations from KS were 5- to 10-fold resistant to dicamba, 3- to 6-fold resistant to fluroxypyr, and 4- to 5-fold resistant to glyphosate as compared to the susceptible (KS-SUS) population. Similarly, OK-10 and OK-11 populations from OK were 10- to 13-fold resistant to dicamba, 3- to 4-fold resistant to fluroxypyr and glyphosate compared to the OK-SUS population. TX-1 and TX-13 B. scoparia populations from TX were 2- to 4-fold resistant to dicamba and TX-1 was 5-fold resistant to glyphosate compared to the TX-SUS population. These results confirm the first report of dicamba and fluroxypyr-resistant B. scoparia from Oklahoma, and glyphosate and dicamba-resistant B. scoparia from TX. These results imply that adopting effective integrated weed management strategies (chemical and non-chemical) is required to mitigate the further spread of MHR B. scoparia in the region.

Emergence of multiple resistance to EPSPS and ALS herbicides in smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus): a growing concern in Brazil

Abstract Recently, farmers in Brazil have observed a decline in efficacy of glyphosate, chlorimuron, and imazethapyr control of smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.). The objectives of this study were to quantify the resistance of Amaranthus in Brazil to glyphosate and acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides, elucidate the mechanism of resistance, and assess the frequency of sensitivity shifts to glyphosate and chlorimuron in Brazil. Dose–response assays were conducted in a greenhouse with glyphosate, chlorimuron, and imazethapyr. This was followed by sequencing of the EPSPS and ALS genes. Additionally , 740 Amaranthus populations across several Brazilian states were monitored over 4 yr, subjected to a single discriminatory dose of glyphosate and chlorimuron. The populations BR18Asp051 and BR21Asp205 were resistant to glyphosate, chlorimuron, and imazethapyr. The elevated resistance level to glyphosate in these populations is attributed to multiple amino acid substitutions (TAP-IVS) in the EPSPS gene; and cross-resistance to sulfonylureas and imidazolinones is conferred by the Trp-574-Leu substitution in the ALS gene in both populations. Overall, resistance distribution indicated that 88% of the sampled populations were considered sensitive to glyphosate, while 66% were sensitive to chlorimuron. Furthermore, 10% of the samples demonstrated multiple resistance to both active ingredients. A shift in glyphosate sensitivity was observed in four states in Brazil; however, sensitivity shifts to chlorimuron were more widely dispersed in Brazilian agricultural regions.

Geo-classification of drug-resistant travel-associated Plasmodium falciparum using Pfs47 and Pfcpmp gene sequences (USA, 2018-2021).

Travel-related malaria is regularly encountered in the United States, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) characterizes Plasmodium falciparum drug-resistance genotypes routinely for travel-related cases. An important aspect of antimalarial drug resistance is understanding its geographic distribution. However, specimens submitted to CDC laboratories may have missing, incomplete, or inaccurate travel data. To complement genotyping for drug-resistance markers Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, Pfk13, Pfdhps, Pfdhfr, and PfcytB at CDC, amplicons of Pfs47 and Pfcpmp are also sequenced as markers of geographic origin. Here, a bi-allele likelihood (BALK) classifier was trained using Pfs47 and Pfcpmp sequences from published P. falciparum genomes of known geographic origin to classify clinical genotypes to a continent. Among P. falciparum-positive blood samples received at CDC for drug-resistance genotyping from 2018 to 2021 (n = 380), 240 included a travel history with the submission materials, though 6 were excluded due to low sequence quality. Classifications obtained for the remaining 234 were compared to their travel histories. Classification results were over 96% congruent with reported travel for clinical samples, and with collection sites for field isolates. Among travel-related samples, only two incongruent results occurred; a specimen submitted citing Costa Rican travel classified to Africa, and a specimen with travel referencing Sierra Leone classified to Asia. Subsequently, the classifier was applied to specimens with unreported travel histories (n = 140; 5 were excluded due to low sequence quality). For the remaining 135 samples, geographic classification data were paired with results generated using CDC's Malaria Resistance Surveillance (MaRS) protocol, which detects single-nucleotide polymorphisms in and generates haplotypes for Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, Pfk13, Pfdhps, Pfdhfr, and PfcytB. Given the importance of understanding the geographic distribution of antimalarial drug resistance, this work will complement domestic surveillance efforts by expanding knowledge on the geographic origin of drug-resistant P. falciparum entering the USA.

Investigation of self-selective RRAM based on V/ITO structure with rapid thermal annealed ITO for synapse emulation

This paper focuses on the investigation of V/ITO (O2 Rapid Thermal Annealing)-based Self-Selective Resistive Random-Access Memory (RRAM) device. In this study, the natural oxidation of Vanadium top electrode and the rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process greatly simplified the device fabrication process. The VO2-based Selector, formed by the natural oxidation of the Vanadium electrode, effectively suppresses current and is directly integrated with the ITO layer, eliminating the need for additional serial Selector. The oxygen content of the ITO film is significantly increased by the RTA process, enabling the previously conductive ITO material to be used as the RRAM insulating layer without the need for additional deposition of insulating layer. This V/ITO (O2 RTA) structure not only exhibits highly uniform resistance distributions (σ/μ<2.8 %) and endurance stability (10000 cycles), but also effectively simulates synaptic plasticity, exhibiting both short-term and long-term memory behaviors. Notably, potentiation and depression characteristics are displayed by the device when continuous pulse voltage is applied. These advancements underscore the innovation and applicability of RTA-treated ITO films in next-generation memory technologies.

Distribution of Pathogenic Bacteria and Drug Resistance in ICU of a Newly Built Hospital.

This study investigated the distribution and resistance patterns of pathogens in the intensive care unit of a newly established hospital in Guizhou Province to promote the rational use of antibiotics to reduce multidrug resistance. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the distribution of pathogens and changes in drug resistance in the ICU of a newly built hospital in Guizhou Province from March 2019 to December 2023. WHONET 5.6 was used to analyze the results. A total of 2444 culture samples were received, predominantly sputum (34.66%) and blood (23.36%) samples, with a steady annual increase in specimen types. A total of 572 pathogenic strains were isolated, predominantly from respiratory specimens (54.02%), including 345 Gram-negative bacteria (60.31%), 135 Gram-positive cocci (23.60%), and 92 fungi (16.08%). The most frequent pathogens included Acinetobacter baumannii (30.77%), Candida albicans (11.71%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.97%). Drug sensitivity tests indicated a fluctuating resistance rate of Acinetobacter baumannii over the past five years. Staphylococcus aureus displayed strong in vitro activity against vancomycin, tigecycline, and linezolid, with no resistant strains identified. The detection rates of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CR-AB), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CR-PA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and strains producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) were 86.78%, 26.79%, 32.45%, 70.27%, and 23.54%, respectively. Compared with other countries in the world, China has increased its data on the prevalence of MDR pathogens and antibiotic resistance.The high resistance rate of Acinetobacter baumannii in the ICU underscores the need for effective infection control measures. Enhanced monitoring of CR-AB, ESBL-producing bacteria, and MRSA is essential, along with improved management of antibacterial drugs and the pursuit of new therapeutic options.

Analysis of On-Resistance in 650-V Enhancement-Mode Active-Passivation p-GaN Gate HEMT

This work investigates the resistance distribution of the E-mode GaN-on-Si active-passivation (AP) p-GaN gate high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) using the transfer length method (TLM). The AP-HEMT has a unique active-passivation layer that is electrically connected to the p-GaN gate and covers most area of the device. The active-passivation layer changes the way the 2DEG is generated in the device, so the constitution of the device R ON is expected to differ from the conventional p-GaN gate HEMT (Conv-HEMT). According to our study, the sheet resistance of the 2DEG under the active-passivation layer is lower than that of the access region, leading to the reduced R ON in AP-HEMT compared to Conv-HEMT. The temperature dependence of the resistance is also investigated. Additionally, AP-HEMT exhibits an improved reverse conduction performance across the temperature range of 25 °C to 150 °C, due to the reduced gate-to-drain resistance in the device.

Non-linear optimization by generalized neighborhood algorithm (GNA) and its application for magnetotellurics (MT) layered-earth modeling

Population-based optimization algorithms are often used to resolve highly non-linear inverse problems by performing iterative and stochastic searches of the model space for solutions. These techniques rely on a combination of global and local searches associated with the exploration and exploitation capabilities, respectively. The iterative process usually converges to models very close to each other, leading to unrealistic solution's uncertainties extracted from the final population. In this paper, we are more interested in the model space exploration leading to more representative uncertainties of the solutions. We divide the search agents into two groups, each randomly distributed in the whole model space and in the vicinity of a promising solution or best model. The additional tuning parameter in the relatively new Generalized Neighborhood Algorithm (GNA) is quite simple to choose, i.e., the extent of search in the neighborhood of the best model. The method was tested to invert magnetotelluric (MT) synthetic data of various representative cases with good results, i.e., recovery of the synthetic models with response that fits the synthetic data. Application of GNA to field data showed that the subsurface resistivity distribution agrees well with the geology of the study area.

Group A Streptococcus vulvovaginitis in Spain, 2011-2023: antibiotic resistance and emm-type distribution.

An increase in Group A Streptococcus vulvovaginitis was detected in 2023: The average number of cases per year was 13 during 2011-2017. Twenty-five and 27 cases were reported in 2018 and 2019 followed by a decline coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2023 increase surpassed previous data. The most frequent resistances were to erythromycin (11.3%;) and tetracycline (8.8%). Eleven different emm-types were detected among 30 GAS isolated in 2023: emm 1 was predominant (36.7%) followed by emm 89 (20%), emm 87 (10%) and emm 28 (6.7%). GAS should be increasingly considered in women with vulvovaginitis.