Susceptibility Research Articles

That Is Not My House? Household Renters’ Flood Preparedness Intention in the East Coast Region of Malaysia

By integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Health Belief Model (HBM), this study examines factors influencing flood preparedness intention among household renters in the East Coast Region of Malaysia. The study utilized purposive sampling, involving the collection of data from 150 household renters residing in the East Coast Region of Malaysia through an online survey. The collected data were then analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Smart Partial Least Squares (SmartPLS). The results revealed that past experience (PE) was positively associated with both perceived severity (SEV) and susceptibility (SUC). However, both SEV and SUC were not correlated with attitude (ATT). Among the three determinants originating from TPB, only ATT was found to be correlated with flood preparedness intention (INT). It is worthy to notify that trust in public protection (TPP) played a moderating effect on the relationship between ATT and INT. The findings will offer valuable insights for policymakers, renters, landlords, and community organizations to develop targeted interventions and bolster flood preparedness among household renters in the East Coast region, ultimately fostering resilience and mitigating the impact of future flood events. Besides that, this study provides firsthand information on the predictors of flood preparedness behavior among household renters in the East Coast Region, Peninsular Malaysia.

Factors controlling the spatiotemporal variability of dust magnetic susceptibility across the Chinese loess Plateau and eastern Tibetan Plateau

To explore the factors controlling the spatiotemporal variability of dust magnetic susceptibility (SUS) across tectonically stable (Chinese Loess Plateau, CLP) and tectonically active (eastern Tibetan Plateau, ETP) regions, the SUS and grain-size records of the Jingyuan and Lantian loess‒paleosol deposits from the CLP, and Lixian lacustrine sediments from the ETP, were analyzed. The results show that, spatially, SUS decreases substantially from SE to NW in the CLP, and from the CLP to the ETP; and temporally, SUS increases significantly both in the CLP and the ETP during warm periods. The former is consistent with pedogenic contributions previously proposed, while the later responds to the enhanced seismic activities and foehn effect during warm period. The correlation analysis shows that the strongest positive correlation between SUS and 2–10 μm fractions in the CLP indicates a substantial contribution of fine particles to magnetic minerals, which has been underestimated in the earlier studies. The strongest positive correlation between SUS and coarse‒grained fractions in ETP reveals that SUS is mainly controlled by frequent release of magnetic minerals from bedrock caused by tectonic activities. These results reflect different controlling factors of SUS changes under different tectonic backgrounds. Therefore, the correlation analysis between SUS and grain‒size fractions can be used as a simple and effective method to sensitively reveal regional tectonic activity, and effectively trace the Earth surface processes including material supply, transport dynamics, and sedimentology.

Important edge identification in complex networks based on local and global features

Identifying important nodes and edges in complex networks has always been a popular research topic in network science and also has important implications for the protection of real-world complex systems. Finding the critical structures in a system allows us to protect the system from attacks or failures with minimal cost. To date, the problem of identifying critical nodes in networks has been widely studied by many scholars, and the theory is becoming increasingly mature. However, there is relatively little research related to edges. In fact, critical edges play an important role in maintaining the basic functions of the network and keeping the integrity of the structure. Sometimes protecting critical edges is less costly and more flexible in operation than just focusing on nodes. Considering the integrity of the network topology and the propagation dynamics on it, this paper proposes a centrality measure based on the number of high-order structural overlaps in the first and second-order neighborhoods of edges. The effectiveness of the metric is verified by the infection–susceptibility (SI) model, the robustness index R, and the number of connected branches θ. A comparison is made with three currently popular edge importance metrics from two synthetic and four real networks. The simulation results show that the method outperforms existing methods in identifying critical edges that have a significant impact on both network connectivity and propagation dynamics. At the same time, the near-linear time complexity can be applied to large-scale networks.

Consumer acceptance of autonomous delivery robots for last-mile delivery: Technological and health perspectives.

The unprecedented outbreak of the novel coronavirus has led to a great shift toward online retailing and accelerated the need for contactless delivery. This study investigates how technological and health belief factors influence consumer acceptance of autonomous delivery robots (ADRs). Anchored in four behavioral theories [i.e., technology acceptance model, health belief model, perceived value (VAL) theory and trust theory], a synthesized model is developed. A total of 500 valid responses were collected through an online questionnaire in Singapore, and structural equation modeling was conducted to examine the responses. The results revealed that perceived ease of use (EOU), perceived usefulness (UFN), perceived susceptibility (SUS), perceived severity (SEV), self-efficacy (SEL) and cues to action (CUE) have a positive and significant influence on consumers’ perceptions of the value of ADRs. The total effect analysis also showed that perceived VAL strongly affects consumer acceptance of ADRs. Academically, this study introduces both technological and health belief factors to explain consumer acceptance of ADRs. It also provides recommendations for policymakers and autonomous delivery robot developers on policy formulation, public communication, product design and infrastructure development.

Geophysical Analysis Using Proton Precession Magnetometer GSM-19T as Information on Fault Presence in Medana, North Lombok, Indonesia

Lombok island is included in one of the areas prone to earthquakes due to the existence of a subduction zone resulting from the meeting of the Indian-Australian Plate. In this study, the magnetic method was used to determine the subsurface structure of the fault as a research objective. The instrument used in this study consisted of a Proton Precession Magnetometer GSM-19T v7.0 Geomagnet measuring instrument with an accuracy of 0.1 nT to measure the total magnetic field strength. Garmin 60CSx GPS to determine position (latitude and longitude), elevation, time and point of measurement location. The geological compass determines the position and direction of the north-south fault which includes the dip/strike. Some software is also used in processing this geomagnetic data, namely Software (Numeri, Mag2DC, Surfer 9.0) and MS Excel 2013. Based on the results of data processing with 2D and Mag2DC forward modeling, the subsurface structure is obtained in the form of a normal fault, with the average susceptibility value is 0.00605 in Susceptibility (SI) which is a type of limestone. The depth of this normal fault is estimated to be at a depth of 31.5 meters to 74.0 meters.

Influence of milk used for cheese making on microbiological aspects of Camembert-type cheese

Abstract Camembert-type cheeses are surface mould-ripened soft cheeses obtained with Penicillium camemberti. Soft cheeses are more frequently associa ted with foodborne disease outbreaks than hard and semi-hard cheeses. During our work, three Camembert-type cheeses were prepared on a pilot/small industrial scale. The first cheese was made from bulk milk and pasteurized at 74 °C for 15 seconds. The second and third cheese were prepared from one type of milk and were heat-treated at 72 °C for 60 seconds. The microbial contamination with Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus of the three Camembert-type cheeses was evaluated. The food-related stress survival of Salmonella spp. and S. aureus isolates originated from the cheese samples was assayed. The antibiotic suscep tibility of the bacterial isolates was determined by the disk diffusion method, using 12 and 16 different antibiotics respectively. Based on the results, the first cheese sample contained the highest number of Salmonella bacteria; S. aureus was detected only in the first sample. According to the results of antibiotic susceptibility of the Salmonella, isolates showed susceptibility to the majority of assayed antibiotics and resistance to trimethoprim, chloramphenicol, amikacin, and cefotaxime. The S. aureus isolates showed resistance to trimethoprim and displayed intermediate resistance to levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin.

Response of sedimentary and pollen records to the 1933 Diexi earthquake on the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Vegetation plays an important role in ecosystem stability in tectonically active regions such as the eastern Tibetan Plateau (ETP). To determine the response of mountain ecosystem to climate change and tectonic activity on the ETP, detailed analyses of chronology, pollen, grain size and magnetic susceptibility (SUS) were conducted on a lacustrine sequence from the upper reaches of the Min River. The results show that the lacustrine sediments are mainly transported by wind as those seismogenic dust at Diexi and Lixian. The fine–grained sediments (<20 μm) are background dust that was transported over a long distance, while the coarse-grained sediments (>20 μm) were transported from local to regional dust sources. Intriguingly, the sand fraction (>63 μm) suddenly increased by 10.4%, in response to the Diexi Ms 7.5 earthquake in 1933. The earthquake probably induced many large landslides and provided more sources of coarse particles close to the study area. Also, around 1933, coniferous pollen increased rapidly while herbaceous and aquatic plants decreased significantly, probably due to a marked change in the local hydrological conditions caused by the strong earthquake. The percentage of shrub pollen dominated by Hippophae, remained at a relatively high level, showing these plants to have great significance for ecological stability in tectonically active regions.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sensitivity of Senepol and Caracu breeds to parasitism by &lt;em&gt;Rhipicephalus microplus&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Taurine breeds and animals crossbred for genetic resistance to Rhipicephalus microplus have been the focus of several studies aimed at producing better responses of cattle to tick infestations and seeking to reduce treatment costs and improve the quality of bovine byproducts. Another way to increase gains is the introduction of taurine breeds with the goal of obtaining morphological and physiological characteristics more adapted to production. Although several studies have compared taurine and zebu breeds, little is known about the differences found within the taurine group. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of the Senepol and Caracu breeds to artificial R. microplus infestations. For this purpose, a stall test was conducted on 16 Caracu and 14 Senepol bulls. The animals were subjected to artificial infestation with a total of 15,000 R. microplus larvae per animal. The Senepol group accounted for 71.7% of the retrieved engorged female ticks. The biological parameters analyzed that showed a significant difference included the mean number of engorged female ticks retrieved (p = 0.000), weight of engorged female ticks (p = 0.000), rate of engorged female ticks retrieved (p = 0.03) and egg mass weight (p = 0.032). Thus, the present study demonst rated a higher susceptib ility of the Senepol breed to parasitism by the Asian blue tick than the Caracu breed, providing support for new studies on the subjects of genetic resistance, animal breeding and cattle production.

Mechanical resonator to measure magnetic susceptibility of structurally intact bone

Magnetic susceptibility of structurally intact bone may play a role in low frequency (below 10 kHz), low field (below 10 mT amplitude) pulsed electromagnetic field (LF PEMF) treatment of fracture non-unions and an adjunct to cervical fusion surgery, approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The aim of this study was to determine if a difference in PEMF treatment results in measurable differences in the bone magnetic susceptibility using a model of structurally intact rat vertebrae. We measured bone volume magnetic susceptibility by a custom built mechanical resonator comprising a diametrically-polarized NdFeB permanent dipole magnet cylinder (25.4 × 25.4 mm, height by diameter) rotated about its axis by a stepper motor at even intervals from 53 to 63 RPM, acting as a source of a local, oscillating magnetic field (mean field of 95 mT, gradient of 12 T/m) on an intact laboratory rat lumbar vertebrae (n = 21, from tissue repository from past studies on LF PEMF treatment in vivo) suspended 26.0 mm from magnet axis on a thin line of 80 mm nominal length forming a pendulum of nominal eigenfrequency of 100 Hz. The vertebra motion was captured by a video camera and the geometrical center of its 2D image motion was analyzed by ImagePro® and MATLAB® routines. The amplitude of bone oscillations (at twice the angular frequency of the rotating magnet) showed a characteristic pattern of resonance with the magnet rotational frequency. The amplitude maximum agreed with that calculated from a model of forced, damped harmonic oscillator and the diamagnetic tension force acting on bone. The calculated mean volume magnetic susceptibility (SI) of -was on the order of magnitude of literature value (|χ|≈10-5). The results point to the bone site-specific aspect of LF PEMF therapy and provide experimental and theoretical basis for a novel, rational method of designing next generation of effective LF PEMF therapies.

Detection Antimicrobial Suscep Tibility ?atterns of Bacterial Species Isolated from Burns and Wounds Infections in Basrah Hospitals

Burn and wound infe?tion is ?ne of the m?st frequent s?ri?us sicknesses c?used by pathogen, chiefly b? b?th gr?m p?sitive ?nd gr?m neg?tive b?cteri?.This study was carried out to identify 25 bacteria isolated from burns and wounds surgical belong to the species : (Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus lentus ,Staphylococcus intermedius,Staphylococcus lugdunensis,Pseudomonas aeruginosa ,Pseudomonas oryzihabitans,Pantoea spp., E.coli ,Rhizobium radiobacter,Ochrobactrum anthropic,Burkholdria cepacia,Sphingomonas pauci- mobilis,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Aeromonas sobria.. Staphylococcus 9(36%) was the most dominant organism,followed by Pseudomonas 6(24%).Antibacterial activity of some antibiotics was investigated against bacterial isolates . the data demonstrate the most commoly isolated from burns and wounds surgical were Staphylococcus followed by Pseudomonas .All b?ct?rial is?l?tes revealed high r?sist?nce t? antibiotics were us?d, Whereas Staphylococcus aureus revealed resistance for three antibiotic: Amikacin ,Nitazo- xanide,Neomycin . Pseudomonas aeruginosa revealed resistance for four antibiotic: Neomycin,Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid, Cepha- lothin ,Cefotaxime. Pantoea spp revealed resistance for five antibiotic: Neomycin,Trimethoprime,Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid, Cephalothin ,Cefotaxime . E.coli revealed resistance for four antibiotic: Neomycin ,Trimethoprime,Amikacin,Cephalothin.

Assessment of the Susceptibility of Coals to Spontaneous Heating using Wet Oxidation Potential Difference Technique

This study is proposed to assess the susceptibility of coals from different Indian coal mines and correlation study to fi nd out the suitability of the methods for assessment of spontaneo us heating of coals. The wet oxidation potential difference experiments (WOPD) were conducted forT20TdifferentTcoalTsamplesTcollected from different India coal mines. the coal samples were collected by channel sampling and prepared according to the Indian Standards. the energy content of all the coal samples in terms of calorific values was measured with the Bomb Calorimeter and proximate analysis was also conducted so as to obtain volatile matter, fixed carbon, moisture content and calorific value. Correlation study was carried out to find the suitability of the methodto assess the spontaneous heating sus ceptibility of coal. Generally, Crossing Point Temperature (CPT) method is used for assessment of spontaneous heating susceptibilit y of coal. However, this method has certain drawbacks. The results are depend re not reproducible. More over, it takes long hours (more than three hours) to complete the experiment. In comparison to CP, WOPD experiments only takes about 40 minutes for completion and the results are reproducible as well. From the correlation analysis, it was found that WOPD indicated a very fair accuracy for the measure of spontaneous heating susceptibilityas it showed high correlation with the intrinsic propertiessuch as moisture and volatile matter.

Geochemical characterization of the loess-paleosol sequence in northeast China

Long-term weathering patterns in northeastern China are not well known due to few well-preserved terrestrial paleo-environmental archives in this area. The Chaoyang section is a typical well-preserved loess-paleosol sequence in northeast China with continuous deposition since 423 ka BP; the deposit thus represents an archive of climate change for this region. The sequence was geochemically characterized by major elemental compositions, elemental ratios, a ternary diagram of Al2O3-(CaO* + Na2O)-K2O, improved quantitative reconstruction and elemental distributions with respect to the average for the upper continental crust (AUCC). Another typical loess-paleosol sequence of Lingtai section from the central Chinese Loess Plateau was used for comparison with the loess-paleosol one. The similar AUCC-normalized major elemental distributions and strong correlation of the major elemental compositions between the loess-paleosol sequences indicate that they may have originated predominantly from a similar loess source. Based on the variability in chemical indices corresponding to soil magnetic susceptibility (SUS) and field observations, the loess-paleosol formation period of 423–77 ka BP was separated into eight sub-periods including four periods with greater chemical weathering intensity (paleosols) and four periods characterized by the relative lesser chemical weathering intensity (loess). Relatively intense desilication and fersiallitization primarily occurred in the loess-paleosol sequence from northeast China with greater losses of SiO2 (3.54% in average) and gains of Fe2O3 (0.77%) and Al2O3 (0.33%). Such processes also were reflected in an increase in the amount of K2O (0.41%). Ca and Na leaching was still predominant in the loess-paleosol sequence from the central Chinese Loess Plateau with greater losses of CaO (28.03%) and Na2O (14.03%). The sequence from northeast China records chemical weathering during 423–77 ka BP, which is comparable to the weathering cycles in the sequence from the central Chinese Loess Plateau.

Quantitative trait loci for tuber blackspot bruise and enzymatic discoloration susceptibility in diploid potato

Tuber tissue discolorations caused by impact (blackspot bruising) and enzymatic discoloration (ED) after tuber cutting are crucial quality traits of the cultivated potato. To understand the complex genetics of the traits, quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using diploid mapping population and diversity array technology (DArT) markers was performed. The phenotypic assessment included the complex evaluation of blackspot bruising susceptibility through two methods: rotating drum (BRD) and falling bolt (BFB) in combination with the evaluation of enzymatic discoloration. Because of observed in-practice relationship between bruising susceptibility and tuber starch content (TSC), analysis of starch content-corrected bruising susceptibility (SCB) was performed. QTLs for bruising were detected on chromosomes I, V with both test methods. The rotating drum method enabled the detection of additional QTLs on chromosomes VIII and XII. Analysis of SCB enabled the identification of the major QTL on chromosome V and two weaker QTLs on chromosomes VIII and XII, independently of starch content. The QTL for bruising detected on chromosome I overlapped with the most significant QTL for tuber starch content. This QTL was not significant for starch content-corrected bruising susceptibility, and the effect of the QTL on chromosome V was enhanced for this trait. The QTL analysis of ED revealed the contribution of seven QTLs for the trait, located on six chromosomes, including these detected for the first time: a major locus on chromosome V and minor QTLs on chromosomes VII and X, which were specific for the trait. The QTL for ED on chromosome VIII was co-localized with the marker for polyphenol oxidase (POT32). The phenotypic correlation between bruising and ED was confirmed in QTL analyses of both traits, and the QTLs detected for these traits overlapped on chromosomes I, V, and VIII. Our results should provide a basis for further studies on candidate genes affecting blackspot bruise susceptibility and enzymatic discoloration.

FFECTOF BARLEY VARIETIES AND POTASSIUM FERTILIZATION LEVELS ON THE POPULATION OF APHID AND LEAFHOPPER IN RELATION TO PLANT CHEMICAL AND ANATOMICAL CHANGES

Suscep tibility ofthree varieties of barely plants (Giza-123, Giza-2000 and Giza-132) were evaluated toward infestation by aphids and leafhoppers. Also, the effect of potassium fertilization on the chemical content and anatomical compositions in relation to homopterous insect populationat Diarb Nigm locality Sharkia Governorate during 2013/14 and 2014/15 growing seasons. Results showed that Giza-123 is the lowest variety in terms of chemical content (total protein and carbohydrates content) and also found therewas a shortage in the thickness of the anatomical traits measured. These results led to that Giza-123 is considered as the sensitive variety toward infestation by insects with the lowest crop yield. On contrary, Giza-132 records the longest thickness cellwall, lowest infestation insects and the highest crop yield. Chemical analysis showed a positive relationship between total protein, carbohydrate contents and aphids, leafhoppers infestation in different barley varieties, while reverse relationship between pH values and insect infestation. Potassium fertilization by 100 kg potassium sulfate/feddan greatly increased the thickness of the anatomical traits [cuticle and upper epidermis thick. (μ), cuticle and lower epidermis thick. (μ), mesophyll tissue thick.(μ)lamina thick. (μ)] It is noted that, increasing the thickness of upper and/or lower epidermis and their cuticle layers decreased the population density of piercing suckinginsects in blade leaf and increasing mesophyll tissue thickness improve the photosynthesis process which lead to decreasing the adverse effect of insects. which associated with lowering the number of piercing -sucking insects. Thus, potassium fertilization by 100 kg potassium sulfate/feddan is recommended in the integrated pest management control (IPM) on barely plants.

Urinary Tract Infections Among Hospitalized Adults in the Early Post-Liver Transplant Period: Prevalence, Risk Factors, Causative Agents, and Microbial Susceptibility.

Urinary tract infections are among the most common infections after liver transplant, especially soon after surgery. This study analyzed urinary tract infections or bacteriuria, their causative agents, and related risk factors in the early period after liver transplant in hospitalized adult transplant recipients in the main liver transplant referral center in Iran. In this prospective study, 389 consecutive adult patients who underwent liver transplant at the Nemazee Teaching Hospital were enrolled between October 2014 and October 2015. Risk factors were compared for patients who developed urinary tract infections or bacteriuria ("infection group "; n = 63 [16.2% ]) and patients without evidence of infection ("control group "; n = 211 [54.2% ]). Patients with sites of infection other than the urinary tract were excluded. Antimicrobial sus ceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion method. Univariate and multivariate analyses compared variables between the 2 groups. Seventy-nine episodes of urinary tract infections or bacteriuria occurred in the infection group. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that female sex, hospitalization 2 to 7 days before transplant, and frequency of abdominal exploration were 11.0, 5.9, and 3.0 times more common in the infection group than in the control group. The chance of infection rises 1.1 times with each one unit increase of body mass index. The most common infection causes were gram-negative bacteria (n = 50; 63.3%), predominantly Escherichia coli (n = 24; 30.4%); followed by gram-positive bacteria (n = 20; 25.3%), predominantly Enterococcus species (n = 14; 17.8%) that had a high incidence of vancomycin resistance (n = 10; 71.4%); and non-Candida albicans species isolates (n = 9; 11.4%). Urinary tract infections are a common infection in hospitalized adult patients soon after liver transplant. Female sex, hospitalization shortly before transplant, more frequent abdominal exploration, and higher body mass index substantially increased the risk of developing such infections in this period.

Quantifying and mapping the vulnerability of estuaries to point-source pollution using a multi-metric assessment: The Estuarine Vulnerability Index (EVI)

A holistic methodological procedure to assess estuarine vulnerability within a spatio-temporal framework is presented. This approach quantifies the vulnerability of estuaries to point-source pollution considering the physical processes, the ecological features, and the social aspects related to the existing estuarine ecosystem services. Estuarine vulnerability is referred to those characteristics of an estuarine ecosystem that describe its potential to be harmed. Thus, vulnerability is presented as a combination of four parameters: Tidal Zoning (TZ), State of Conservation (SC), Susceptibility (SU), and Stratification (ST). TZ differs between intertidal and subtidal zones. SC is determined as a combination of Naturalness (NA) and Ecological Value (EV). NA is defined as the absence of physical anthropogenic modifications, and EV is described as the presence of singular flora and fauna. While SU is related to the flushing or cleaning capacity, ST accounts for the location of mixed, partially mixed/stratified and stratified areas in the estuary. Subsequently, categories, thresholds and assessment criteria for every parameter, and a composite index to integrate all of them, namely the Estuarine Vulnerability Index (EVI), are presented. EVI has been applied to the Suances Estuary (N Spain) to find out the optimal locations for hypothetical point discharges. The results obtained for the Suances Estuary confirm the suitability of the proposed methodology and its conceptual approach as a comprehensive and practical management tool to quantify and prioritize estuarine areas receiving point-source pollution.

Susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae to insecticides used for malaria vector control in Rwanda.

BackgroundThe widespread emergence of resistance to pyrethroids is a major threat to the gains made in malaria control. To monitor the presence and possible emergence of resistance against a variety of insecticides used for malaria control in Rwanda, nationwide insecticide resistance surveys were conducted in 2011 and 2013.MethodsLarvae of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato mosquitoes were collected in 12 sentinel sites throughout Rwanda. These were reared to adults and analysed for knock-down and mortality using WHO insecticide test papers with standard diagnostic doses of the recommended insecticides. A sub-sample of tested specimens was analysed for the presence of knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations.ResultsA total of 14,311 mosquitoes were tested and from a sample of 1406 specimens, 1165 (82.9%) were identified as Anopheles arabiensis and 241 (17.1%) as Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto. Mortality results indicated a significant increase in resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin from 2011 to 2013 in 83% of the sites, permethrin in 25% of the sites, deltamethrin in 25% of the sites and DDT in 50% of the sites. Mosquitoes from 83% of the sites showed full susceptibility to bendiocarb and 17% of sites were suspected to harbour resistance that requires further confirmation. No resistance was observed to fenitrothion in all study sites during the entire survey. The kdr genotype results in An. gambiae s.s. showed that 67 (50%) possessed susceptibility (SS) alleles, while 35 (26.1%) and 32 (23.9%) mosquitoes had heterozygous (RS) and homozygous (RR) alleles, respectively. Of the 591 An. arabiensis genotyped, 425 (71.9%) possessed homozygous (SS) alleles while 158 (26.7%) and 8 (1.4%) had heterozygous (RS) and homozygous (RR) alleles, respectively. Metabolic resistance involving oxidase enzymes was also detected using the synergist PBO.ConclusionThis is the first nationwide study of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors in Rwanda. It shows the gradual increase of insecticide resistance to pyrethroids (lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, permethrin) and organochlorines (DDT) and the large presence of target site insensitivity. The results demonstrate the need for Rwanda to expand monitoring for insecticide resistance including further metabolic resistance testing and implement an insecticide resistance management strategy to sustain the gains made in malaria control.

PREVALENCE OF NASAL CARRIAGE OF MRSA AMONG PATIENTS UNDERGOING HAEMODIALYSIS AND IN HEALTH CARE WORKERS WORKING IN THE HAEMODIALYSIS UNITS

Asymptomatic nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus is a major risk factor for acquiring infection in pa tients undergoing haemodialysis because of their decreased immunity, increased skin colonization by Staphylococci and multiple needle punctures required for dialysis. The present study was done to know the prevalence of nasal carriage of MRSA among patients undergoing dialysis and in HCW’s during the period of October and No vember 2011 at GGH, Vijayawada, India. Sterile swabs were rotated into the anterior nares of patients (50) and HCW’s (25) working in dialysis unit aft er taking informed consent. Swabs were inoculated into Nutrient agar, Blood agar, Mannitol salt agar. Identification of Staphylococcus aureus was done by standard methods. Antimicrobial su sceptibility and Methicillin resistant strains were detected as per the CLSI guidelines. Of the 50 patients and 25 controls, 21 patients and 7 controls have been found to be nasal carriers of Staphylococcus aureus . All the 21 isolates of SA among cases and 4 isolates from controls were resistant to Methicillin.

Variation in clastic input in the Berriasian of the Lower Sub-Tatric (Krížna) succession in the Tatra Mountains (Central Western Carpathians, Poland): data from magnetic susceptibility and inorganic geochemistry

Ab stract: The pa per deals with the age and palaeoenvironment in ter pre ta tion of the Late Berriasian sed i men tary tran si tion from micritic calpionellid lime stones to marls, cor re spond ing to the pas sage from the Osnica For ma tion to the Koœcieliska Marl For ma tion, Lower Sub-Tatric suc ces sion, Tatra Mts., Cen tral West ern Carpathians. Since only re li ably dated sec tions are an ap pro pri ate ba sis for palaeoenvironmental study, the fol low ing pe lagic and hemipelagic sec tions were cho sen ow ing to en rich ment in fine, clastic ma te rial and the ex ist ing biostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic frame works: Poœrednie III, Rowienka, G³adkie Up³azianskie and Gesia Szyja. The au thors in te grated and in ter preted new, de tailed data on mag netic sus cep ti bil ity (MS), rock mag ne tism and el e ment geo chem is try from all of the sec tions. Well de fined biostratigraphy per mit ted the test ing of the po ten tial of MS as a strati graphic method. Ow ing to its close con nec tion to se lected terrigenous el e ments (e.g., Al, Th, Zr), MS could be used here as a proxy for de tri tal in put into the ba sin. Its value as a cor re la tion tool in a pe lagic and hemipelagic set ting was con firmed. MS per mit ted not only de tailed cor re la tion of the out crops stud ied, but also the com par i son of them with the Barlya sec tion (West ern Bal kans) of the same age. This study proves that in creased de tri tal in put be gan in the Calpionellopsis sim plex Subzone and con tin ued into the lower part of the Calpionellopsis oblonga Subzone. It might be re garded as syn chro nous event within the Zliechov Ba sin and it is not ev ery where cor re lated with the for ma tion bound aries. The change in sed i men ta tion was not only a lo cal phe nom e non. The on set of de po si tion of the terrigenous frac tion can be iden ti fied in many sec tions of the West ern Tethys. Two in de pend ent fac tors, re gional re gres sion and an in crease in hu mid ity might have con trib uted si mul ta neously to the in creased de tri tal in put in Late Berriasian time. How ever, this pic ture is fur ther com pli cated by tec tonic ac tiv ity on lo cal and re gional scales.

High Microbiological Spectrum Resistance Rates in urine isolates from Jalisco, Mexico. A retrospective study and literature review

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major public health problem worldwide. In Latin America, most UTIs are treated without bacteriological identifiation. Our aim was to examine resistance rates to commonly prescribed antibiotics, focusing on cases from Jalisco, Mexico; and additionally to conduct a review of the literature to search for resistance patterns in other countries of Latin America. Methods: Retrospective analysis of urine cultures from ambulatory and hospitalized patients taken from Nov 2012-Nov 2013; susceptibi lity testing and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was done by microdilution methodology. For literature search, we reviewed diffe rent data bases and included papers in English and Spanish, published from 2007-2014, representative from the Latin America region. Results: We obtained 1.206 consecutive samples from outpatient and inpatient facilities, including adult and pediatric subjects. The most frequent isolate in all groups was ESBL-producing E. coli with high resistance rates for ampicillin, TMP-SMX, and ciproflxacin. In the literature review we found 15 papers related to resistance rates of commonly prescribed antibiotics. Conclusions: The information summarized in this article supports the fiding that resistance rates to commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents are increasing worldwide. As such, this study challenges the rationale behind empiric use of antibiotics, emphasizing the need, whenever possible, to perform urine cultures before initiating antimi crobial treatment.