University Laboratory Research Articles

Beyond the Linear Model: Constructing Basic and Applied Knowledge by Russian Scientists (the Case of Biologists)

The article analyzes the perception of the difference between fundamental and applied scientific knowledge using the case of a particular group of Russian scientists. The sample consisted mainly of researchers who work in university laboratories, research centers and research groups specializing in biology and biosafety. Using a qualitative analysis of interviews with representatives of this group, the authors examine the ways of constructing a border between theoretical and applied research. The interpretation of the results is carried out using the scales of Boltanski and Thйvenot’s concept of “worlds of justification”. The conceptual model for separating fundamental and applied knowledge was Donald Stokes’ model of the relationship between science and technology, the socalled “Pasteur’s Quadrant.” The research demonstrates that Russian scientists prefer to engage in fundamental science, less often choosing applied projects. They use strategies to “fence off” from applied tasks or simulate the applied nature of their research. The boundaries between the categories of fundamental and applied are flexible and reassembled in each research project depending on the context, financial conditions, and applied competencies of the participants involved. When solving applied problems becomes inevitable, scientists prefer to refer to this as engaging in “non-genuine” science. The authors conclude that the traditional division into fundamental and applied research does not correspond to the daily practices of research activities.

Building a Partnership Between a University and Local High School to Foster and Grow Interest in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering.

To help foster interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), it is important to develop opportunities that excite and teach young minds about STEM-related fields. Over the past several years, our university-based research group has sought to help grow excitement around the biomechanics and biomedical engineering fields. The purposes of this technical brief are to (1) discuss the development of a partnership built between a St. Louis area high school and biomechanics research lab and (2) provide practical guidance for other researchers looking to implement a long-term outreach program. The partnership uses three different outreach opportunities. The first opportunity consisted of 12th-grade students visiting university research labs for an up-close perspective of ongoing biomedical research. The second opportunity was a biomedical research showcase where research-active graduate students traveled to the high school to perform demonstrations. The third opportunity consisted of a collaborative capstone project where a high school student was able to carry out research directly in a university lab. To date, we have expanded our reach from 19 students to interacting with over 100 students, which has yielded increased interest in STEM related research. Our postprogram survey showed that outreach programs such as the one described herein can increase interest in STEM within all ages of high school students. Building partnerships between high schools and university researchers increases the interest in STEM amongst high school students, and gives graduate students an outlet to present work to an eager-to-learn audience.

Rapid response to a COVID-19 outbreak at a nightclub in Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, June and July 2020: A descriptive epidemiological study

IntroductionDuring COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, nightclubs were identified as high-risk locations for COVID-19 outbreaks, but an outbreak investigation in this setting is challenging because of the anonymous and opportunistic nature of interactions. MethodsThe joint rapid response team collected epidemiological data, conducted descriptive epidemiology to determine the characteristics of cases associated with the nightclub, and implemented countermeasures. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were performed by the Local Institute of Public Health, Kagoshima University, and several commercial laboratories. ResultsBetween June 15 and July 20, 2020, 121 individuals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (59 confirmed and 62 asymptomatic) of whom 8 were nightclub staff who had no travel history of outside Kagoshima, 66 were guests, and 47 were subsequent contacts. The median age was 32 years (interquartile range: 24–43 years). One individual showed severe symptoms but there were no fatal. The epidemic curve showed one peak on June 30 and July 1 with a limited number of cases subsequently. Of the 121 cases, 116 and 5 were in individuals living in and outside Kagoshima Prefecture, respectively. Haplotype network analysis showed 5 genome-wide single-nucleotide variants between the isolates before and during this outbreak. ConclusionsThere is a possibility that unidentified guests from outside Kagoshima Prefecture could infect staff who could subsequently spread the virus to guests and other staff, who were mainly a younger population. The rapid outbreak response enabled onward transmission in the community to be minimized. This outbreak investigation could provide insights for effective responses to challenging situations in future pandemic.

Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Auto Mechanics in Aba Metropolis, South East, Nigeria Who Were Exposed to Petrol and Petroleum Products

Background: Every day, humans come into contact with heavy metals in the environment. These metals are widespread throughout the world and are known to affect and create specific biological changes that may be detrimental to the body. Auto mechanics are known to come in contact with these hazardous substances during vehicle maintenance and repair activities, which may lead to the release of heavy metals into the body as well as the environment. Aim: To evaluate the levels of heavy metals that auto mechanics are exposed to from petroleum and petroleum products in mechanic workshops in Aba Metropolis. Study Design: A cross sectional study with a total of 204 participants, 123 of whom were auto mechanics and 81 of whom were non auto mechanics (controls), had blood samples taken from them. Place and Duration of Study: The blood samples were taken from auto mechanic working in mechanic workshop spread around four locations of Aba Metropolis during the period of May 2022 to November, 2022. Samples were analyzed at Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia State and Laboratory Department, JAROS Inspection Services Limited, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Methods: The levels of heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, and As) in blood were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The Statistical Analysis System (SAS), STAT 15.1 was used to analyse the data from the study. Results: The serum concentration of heavy metals in reducing order, were Cr > Pb > As > Hg > Cd in the exposed individuals while in the control subjects, the order from the highest concentration was; Cr > Pb >As > Cd > Hg. The blood of auto mechanics had a significantly higher level of Pb and Hg than that of non-auto mechanics (p<0.05). Duration of exposure of the auto mechanics to petrol and its product showed an adverse effect from the results gotten in this study. Conclusion: Heavy metal contamination still poses a threat to health and well-being of the auto mechanics in Aba Metropolis.

Integrating sustainable development goals in English language and literature teaching

Teaching English provides the possibility for raising students’ awareness of global issues. By bringing relevant global issues into the classroom, teachers can provide students a rich array of activities and topics that increase their engagement with diverse cultures, issues of local as well as global importance. This study explored the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals in English language and literature teaching in a state university laboratory school in the Philippines. It focused on the learning experiences and feedback of pre-service teachers and junior high school students on the integration. The phenomenological research design, the interview and focus group discussion were utilized. For a concise description of themes and patterns relevant to the phenomenon, thematic analysis was done after the data gathering. Four dominant themes were revealed in the learning experiences of the teaching interns during the study: Designing for Concrete Action; Applying the Interdisciplinary and Contextualized Approach; Nurturing a Participatory Attitude; and Fostering Personal Accountability. The feedback of the learners on the SDG integration included themes such as Empowerment to Take Initiative, Gaining Meaningful Learning, and Developing a Whole-School Approach. The Integration of SDGs in the English classroom provided a range of benefits for both pre-service teachers and students. Students were given the tools to expand their learning and develop the capacity to proactively address a variety of problems. They were encouraged to view these issues as their own, fostering a sense of ownership and purpose, rather than merely striving for knowledge and comprehension.

SICURO+: A web platform to raise awareness on seismic risk in Italy

Italy is a country with high seismic risk. In the past many catastrophic earthquakes have occurred causing severe damage to buildings and infrastructures, serious economic impacts, and the loss of thousands of human lives. To mitigate the impact of seismic risk, as well as of other risks, many efforts have been made, implementing preventive structural measures and acting to raise awareness in the community. In Italy, this need was strengthened with the emanation of the new Civil Protection Code (D.Lgs January 2, 2018 n.1), with the purpose of encouraging the participation of citizens and spreading risk knowledge and the culture of civil protection, thus contributing to “increase the resilience of communities” (art. 31). As part of the agreement between the Italian Civil Protection Department (ICPD) and EUCENTRE (European Centre for training and research in Earthquake Engineering), an interactive web-tool was developed to allow citizens to display the most updated seismic risk maps. These maps were produced in 2018 by the ICPD, with the relevant support of the scientific community operating in the field of seismic risk, in particular of ReLUIS (The Laboratories University Network of seismic engineering) and EUCENTRE. The web-tool, named SICURO+ (Information System for Risk Communication, www.sicuropiu.it), was created to raise awareness in citizens on seismic risk in the place where they live, work, or go on holiday. Communication strategies and behavioural techniques were designed and tested experimentally with the support of behavioural scientists, as part of an agreement between the National School of Administration and the Prime Minister's Office.

The Management of Business and Technology Incubators in Brazil

Objective: This article presents effective guidelines for the management of business and technology incubators in the Brazilian context. Method: The research covers an analyzed context of 56 incubators located in different regions of the country. The recommended practices were identified based on a thorough analysis of the information available on institutional websites and the incubators' documents. Results and Conclusion: The study focuses on three key areas: the selection process, the activities carried out by the incubator, and the marketing and dissemination strategies. As far as the selection process is concerned, practices such as the participation of partners in the evaluation of projects, the division of the process into careful stages, the analysis of the internationalization potential of the ventures, and the evaluation of the behavioral profile of the entrepreneurs involved stand out. About the activities promoted by the incubator, it is worth highlighting the offer of courses aimed at business development, the stimulation of innovation through technological support, the sharing of resources such as university laboratories, and the creation of collaborative networks between entrepreneurs. In terms of marketing and dissemination strategies, recommended practices include creating a bank of opportunities for startups, and using the university's institutional media as a platform for visibility and access to online resources to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and information. Research Implications: This study offers a valuable contribution to the understanding of the successful strategies adopted by Brazilian incubators in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, providing a solid guide for the effective management of these important centers of entrepreneurial and technological development in the country.

AgTC and AgETL: open-source tools to enhance data collection and management for plant science research.

Advancements in phenotyping technology have enabled plant science researchers to gather large volumes of information from their experiments, especially those that evaluate multiple genotypes. To fully leverage these complex and often heterogeneous data sets (i.e. those that differ in format and structure), scientists must invest considerable time in data processing, and data management has emerged as a considerable barrier for downstream application. Here, we propose a pipeline to enhance data collection, processing, and management from plant science studies comprising of two newly developed open-source programs. The first, called AgTC, is a series of programming functions that generates comma-separated values file templates to collect data in a standard format using either a lab-based computer or a mobile device. The second series of functions, AgETL, executes steps for an Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) data integration process where data are extracted from heterogeneously formatted files, transformed to meet standard criteria, and loaded into a database. There, data are stored and can be accessed for data analysis-related processes, including dynamic data visualization through web-based tools. Both AgTC and AgETL are flexible for application across plant science experiments without programming knowledge on the part of the domain scientist, and their functions are executed on Jupyter Notebook, a browser-based interactive development environment. Additionally, all parameters are easily customized from central configuration files written in the human-readable YAML format. Using three experiments from research laboratories in university and non-government organization (NGO) settings as test cases, we demonstrate the utility of AgTC and AgETL to streamline critical steps from data collection to analysis in the plant sciences.

Children with bilateral cerebral palsy use their hip joint to complete a step-up task.

Performance in stair-climbing is largely associated with disruptions to mobility and community participation in children with cerebral palsy (CP). It is important to understand the nature of motor impairments responsible for making stairs a challenge in children with bilateral CP to clarify underlying causes of impaired mobility. In pediatric clinical populations, sensitive measurements of movement quality can be captured during the initial step of stair ascent. Thus, the purpose of this study was to quantify the lower limb joint moments of children with bilateral CP during the stance phases of a step-up task. Participants performed multiple stepping trials in a university gait laboratory. Outcome measures included extensor support moments (the sum of hip, knee, and ankle sagittal plane moments), hip abduction moments, and their timing. We recruited seven participants per group. We found that peak support and hip abduction moments were similar in the bilateral CP group compared to the typical development (TD) group. We also found that children with bilateral CP timed their peak moments closer together and increasingly depended on the hip joint to complete the task, especially in their more affected (MA) lower limb. Our investigation highlights some underlying causes that may make stair climbing a challenge for the CP population, including a loss of selective voluntary motor control (SVMC), and provides a possible treatment approach to strengthen lower limb muscles.

Research on Methods to Improve Length of Day Precision by Combining with Effective Angular Momentum

Due to the high correlation between Effective Angular Momentum (EAM) and Length of Day (LOD) data, and the wide application of LOD prediction, this study proposes to combine EAM data with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) LOD data to obtain a more accurate LOD series and attempt to provide a reasonable formal error for the EAM dataset. Firstly, tidal corrections are applied to the LOD data. A first-order difference method is proposed to identify outliers in GNSS LODR (tidal corrected LOD) data, and the EAM data are converted into LODR data using the Liouville equation. Then, the residual term and the fitted term are obtained by least squares fitting. Finally, the fitted residual terms of GNSS LODR and EAM LODR are combined by using the Kalman combination method. In this study, EAM data from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) (2019–2022), as well as LOD data from Wuhan University (WHU) and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), are used for the Kalman combination algorithm experiment. In the Kalman combination, we consider weighted combination based on formal error. However, none of the computing centers provide an uncertainty estimation for the EAM dataset. Therefore, we simulate the combination experiment of LOD and EAM with formal error ranging from 0 to 100 us. The experiment shows that using reasonable formal error for the EAM dataset can improve the accuracy of LOD. Finally, when the formal error of EAM is 2–5 times that of the GNSS LOD formal error, i.e., the EAM formal error is between 10 and 30 us, the accuracy of the combined LOD can be improved by 10–20%.

Classification of intrusion cyber‐attacks in smart power grids using deep ensemble learning with metaheuristic‐based optimization

AbstractThe most advanced power grid design, known as a ‘smart power grid’, integrates information and communication technology (ICT) with a conventional grid system to enable remote management of electricity distribution. The intelligent cyber‐physical architecture enables bidirectional, real‐time data sharing between electricity suppliers and consumers through smart meters and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). Data protection issues, such as data tampering, firmware exploitation, and the leakage of sensitive information arise due to the smart power grid's substantial reliance on ICT. To maintain reliable and efficient power distribution, these issues must be identified and resolved quickly. Intrusion detection is essential for providing secure services and alerting system administrators in the case of adversary attacks. This paper proposes an intrusion classification scheme that identifies several types of cyber attacks on modern smart power grids. Grey‐Wolf metaheuristic optimization‐based feature selection is used to learn non‐linear, overlapping, and complex electrical grid properties. An extended deep‐stacked ensemble technique is advanced by putting predictions from weak learners (CNNs) into a meta‐learner (MLP). The outcomes of this approach are explained and confirmed using explainable AI (XAI). The publicly available dataset from Mississippi State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (MSU‐ORNL) is used to conduct experiments. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieved a peak accuracy of 96.6% while scrutinizing the original MSU‐ORNL data feature set and a maximum accuracy of 99% when analysing the selected feature set. Therefore, the proposed intrusion classification scheme may protect smart power grid systems against cyber security attacks.

Rearticulating theory and methodology for perezhivanie and becoming

Taking up Lemke’s (2000) critical questions of how moments add up to lives and social life, we articulate theoretical and methodological frameworks for perezhivanie and becoming, challenging binaries that splinter entangled flows of perezhivanie into frozen categories. Working from a flat CHAT notion of assemblage to develop an ontology of moments, we stress consequentiality, arguing it emerges in intersections of embodied intensities (not only affective, but also indexical, intra-actional, and historic), the dispersed bio-cultural-historical weight of artifacts and practices, and dialogic resonances across moments. Methodologically, we take an ethico-onto-epistemological perspective to systematically study perezhivanie. The bio-ecological model of rich environments (centered around meaningful complexity, agency, and individual optimization) offers both a key framework for understanding becoming and a design framework for transdisciplinary realizations of ethico-onto-epistemological practice. We illustrate these frameworks with examples from four research projects: a university physics lab group doing and writing an experiment, a former pastor managing bipolar disorder and rejecting faith, a sustained social justice education program at a university, and intersections of aging policies, media representations, and stroke survival in Brazil. Finally, we argue that an ontology of moments centered on consequentiality can illuminate perezhivanie's relationship to becoming and that the model of enriched environments offers metrics to assess and design environments.

High School and Undergraduate Student Volunteers as an Imperfect Solution to Machine Learning Geoscience Research Needs

AbstractThe machine learning revolution presents geoscientists with exciting new opportunities for research, but is constrained by the need for large, high quality training data sets. Simultaneously, undergraduate and graduate program admissions have become increasingly competitive, pressuring high school and undergraduate students to differentiate themselves through involvement in research at earlier stages. Aligning these two interests provides mutually beneficial opportunities for both geoscientists and early‐stage students. We describe our experiences working with 20 early‐stage students to build a large training data set digitized from satellite images of meltwater drainage patterns on ice sheets. The intent of this Perspective is to share our experience and lessons learned with other machine learning researchers who, like us, may have minimal experience mentoring young volunteer researchers but may seek such partnerships for the first time in response to their machine learning training data set needs. These partnerships enabled creation of a powerful new machine learning model that would have otherwise been infeasible. Student benefits varied with their commitment and proactiveness, ranging from exposure to geoscience research and a resume line item to strong letters of recommendation and ongoing connections with geoscience researchers at an elite university lab. Many students were attracted to the project solely out of interest in machine learning, so the opportunity reached students who would not otherwise have conducted research in geoscience. Still, without incentives for researchers to engage less‐privileged students, our experience suggests that mutually beneficial partnerships between researchers and early‐stage students may exacerbate issues of inequality and lack of diversity within the geosciences.

Agonist relationships in the toddler classroom: Exploring the connection between conflict and care

Dominant Western discourse in early childhood education frames conflict as a disruptive and damaging force that is antithetical to the “ideal” classroom environment. However, critical early childhood scholars have begun to reconceptualize the role of conflict in early childhood classroom dynamics, exploring its potential as a productive and necessary force that supports current and future political participation for young children. This paper draws from data collected during an eight-month ethnography of care practices in an infant/toddler classroom at a university laboratory school in the Southeastern United States. Using Chantal Mouffe's theories political conflict, we interpret one teacher's understandings of conflict in her classroom and the practices that she engaged in support of what Mouffe would term “agonist conflict” (i.e., friendly, rather than antagonistic, conflict). Findings demonstrate that this teacher views agonist conflict to be a productive process for young children—one that enables them to articulate their political subjectivities as members of their classroom community and one that will foster their engagement as citizens of a broader democratic society. As such, the emotional support and scaffolding she provided to support such engagement constitute a political form of care. This research holds implications for reconceptualized understandings of peer conflict in early childhood contexts and insight into how teachers can better support children's developing political engagement through agonist conflict with their peers.

Effects of the Three-Direction Movement Control Focus Complex Pain Program and Neurodynamic Focus Complex Pain Program on Pain, Mechanosensitivity, and Body Function in Taekwondo Athletes with Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study.

We aimed to determine the effects of three-direction movement control focus complex pain program (3D-MCE) and neurodynamic focus complex pain program (NDT) on pain, mechanosensitivity, and body function in Taekwondo athletes with non-specific low back pain. This study used a two-group pretest-posttest design and was conducted at a university physiotherapy lab and training center. It included 21 Taekwondo athletes with non-specific low back pain from a Taekwondo studio and a University in Busan. Participants were divided into a 3D-MCE group (n = 10) and an NDT group (n = 10). The numerical rating pain scale (NRPS), pain pressure threshold (PPT), movement analysis, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were measured before and after the intervention. The intervention was performed for 45 min twice a week for 4 weeks. Each group performed movement control exercises and neurodynamic techniques. The NRPS, motion analysis, and ODI were significantly changed after the intervention in the 3-DMCE group. The NRPS, PPT, and ODI changed significantly after the intervention in the NDT group. Moreover, the PPT and motion analysis showed significant differences between the two groups. For Taekwondo athletes with non-specific low back pain, 3D-MCE improved the stability control ability of the lumbar spine. It was confirmed that neurodynamic techniques reduce muscle and nerve mechanosensitivity.

Assessing Teacher Trainees’ Views Concerning Video-Recorded Microteaching Sessions Using Tetfund Micro Media Laboratory in Colleges of Education in Southeast of Nigeria (Case Study of Anambra and Imo States)

Assessing Teacher Trainees’ Views Concerning Video-Recorded Microteaching Sessions Using Tetfund Micro Media Laboratory in Colleges of Education in Southeast of Nigeria (Case Study of Anambra and Imo States)

A comprehensive review on PFAS including survey results from the EFLM Member Societies.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a large class of synthetic chemicals widely used for their unique properties. Without PFAS, many medical device and invitro diagnostic technologies would not be able to perform their intended purposes. Potential health risks associated with exposure to PFAS influence their use in IVD applications. This paper aims to assess the current situation concerning PFAS, including regulations and legislations for their use. It is important to know what happens to (PFAS) at the end of their lives in medical laboratories. A survey was conducted in March 2023 to collect information on the potential emission and end-of-life of PFAS-containing medical technologies in the medical laboratories of the EFLM member societies. A series of questions were presented to the EFLM national societies and the results were documented. Eight respondents participated in the survey, representing EFLM member societies in seven different countries including hospital laboratories, university laboratories, and private laboratories. PFAS uses in MD and IVD are influenced by several factors, including evolving regulations, advances in technology, safety and efficacy of these substances. Advancements in analytical techniques may lead to more sensitive and precise methods for detecting and quantifying PFAS in biological samples, which can be essential for IVD applications related to biomarker analysis and disease diagnosis. Collaboration among regulatory agencies, industry, research institutions, hospitals, and laboratories on a global scale can aid in establishing harmonized guidelines and standards for the use of PFAS, ensuring consistency and safety within their applications.

Safety climate in Pakistani universities’ laboratories: an assessment of individual factors

ABSTRACT Objectives. Current research aims to identify factors that affect the occupational safety climate in university laboratories despite their perception as low-risk areas compared to industrial environments. Methods. A safety climate survey was conducted in science laboratories across various engineering universities in Pakistan. The survey questionnaire was administered to 406 personnel, and a quantitative method for analysis was selected to examine the socio-demographic variables. A 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree) was used to perceive responses from participants. Additionally, a scale reliability test was conducted, and multivariate analysis of variance was performed to determine the relationship between selected dependent and independent variables. Results. The study found an overall safety climate score of 3.16 ± 0.55, indicating a moderate to high perception of safety on a scale of 1–5. Parameters such as role in the laboratory, departments/disciplines, accident experience and safety training significantly affected the safety climate score, while gender, age group, duration in university and accident witnessing did not. Conclusion. Upper management involvement, safety communication and direct supervision are crucial for improving the safety climate of university laboratories. The study recommends the consideration of the identified significant safety climate dimensions in laboratory safety policy-making at academic institutes.

Concentration levels of anthropogenic organic compounds in suspended particulates matter and indoor settled from Algiers, Algeria

Total suspended particles (TSP) and indoor settled dust (ISD) were collected at an annual religious event in November 2019. Fifteen outdoor TSP and forty-one ISD samples (at two hospitals, university laboratories, and research centers) were collected in two Algerian urban areas. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to look for solvent-extractable organic chemicals comprising alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalate esters, and other polar organic compounds (OPOC). The origin of pollution was investigated, and source apportionment was performed. Phthalates were predominant in soot (the most abundant, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, varying between 11.5 and 106.3 ng m−3), followed by alkanes (with hentriacontane ranging between 3.9 and 6.1 ng m−3 and accounting for 39.5%), OPOCs (the most abundant, caffeine, ranging 2.7–182 ng m−3), and PAHs (the predominant, phenanthrene, ranging 29.8–130.6 ng m−3). Mean concentration of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) reached ∼5 and ∼21 ng m−3, respectively, on weekends and working days in TSP, exceeding the WHO recommendation range of 1 ng m−3. Meanwhile, BaP ranged from 0.01 to 1.02 ng m−2 in ISD. Nicotine, cotinine and caffeine, were detected in different amounts in TSP (2.1–3.5, 0.0 to 3.3, and 2.7–182 ng m−3, respectively). In ISD, nicotine and caffeine occurred in all samples, while cotinine was present in ∼82% of samples and ranged from 0.0 to 3798 ng m−2. Traces of N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide DEET (5.2 ng m−3 on average in soot and up to 168 ng m−2 in dust) and methyl dihydrojasmonate MDHJ (up to 124 ng m−2 in dust and ≈0.26 ng m−3 in soot) were found at all sites. This study provided new information about organic contaminants of environmental concern in Algiers, which would be useful in assessing the chemistry of interiors and exposure to toxicants. It also highlighted the impact of special events on environmental quality in terms of increased toxicant loads in ambient air. The findings thoroughly assess Algeria’s atmospheric particulate matter endocrine-disrupting chemicals when combined with earlier studies.

Comparison of Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of Selected Antimicrobials for Non-Aureus Staphylococci, Enterococci, Lactococci, and Streptococci Isolated from Milk Samples of Cows with Clinical Mastitis.

The objective of this study was to compare the minimum inhibitory concentrations of antimicrobials included in a commercial broth microdilution panel among Gram-positive pathogens that caused non-severe clinical mastitis on three Michigan dairy farms. Duplicate quarter milk samples were collected from eligible quarters of cows enrolled in a randomized clinical trial, cultured in a university laboratory, and identified using MALDI-TOF. Etiologies were grouped by genus as Enterococcus species (n = 11), Lactococcus species (n = 44), non-aureus Staphylococcus species (n = 39), or Streptococcus species (n = 25). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using the mastitis panel of a commercially available broth microdilution test. In vitro susceptibility was determined using approved guidelines and included breakpoints for mastitis pathogens, or when not available, breakpoints from other species. Most isolates were inhibited at or below breakpoints that demonstrated in vitro susceptibility. The proportions of susceptible isolates varied among pathogens for pirlimycin, penicillin, and tetracycline. The greatest proportion of resistance was observed for pirlimycin, tetracycline, and sulfadimethoxine. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate differences in MICs among pathogen groups. MIC values varied among pathogens for ceftiofur, cephalothin, erythromycin, penicillin, pirlimycin, and tetracycline. However, nearly all isolates were susceptible to ceftiofur and cephalothin, indicating that pathogen differences in MIC are not likely clinically relevant, as these are the two most commonly administered mastitis treatments in the United States. While differences in vitro susceptibility were observed for some antimicrobials, susceptibility was high to cephalosporin-based IMM treatments that are most commonly used and did not vary among pathogens.