Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 associated with human infections in Switzerland, 2000-2009

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), an important foodborne pathogen, can cause mild to severe bloody diarrhoea (BD), sometimes followed by life-threatening complications such as haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). A total of 44 O157 strains isolated from different patients from 2000 through 2009 in Switzerland were further characterized and linked to medical history data. Non-bloody diarrhoea was experienced by 15·9%, BD by 61·4% of the patients, and 29·5% developed HUS. All strains belonged to MLST type 11, were positive for stx2 variants (stx2 and/or stx2c), eae and ehxA, and only two strains showed antibiotic resistance. Of the 44 strains, nine phage types (PTs) were detected the most frequent being PT32 (43·2%) and PT8 (18·2%). By PFGE, 39 different patterns were found. This high genetic diversity within the strains leads to the conclusion that STEC O157 infections in Switzerland most often occur as sporadic case

Degradation of electroless Ni(P) under-bump metallization in Sn3.5Ag and Sn37Pb solders during high-temperature storage

The interfacial reaction between electroless Ni(P) under-bump metallization (UBM) and solders is studied. A P-rich layer forms in the UBM along the solder side after reflow and thermal aging. Crack formation inside the P-rich layer can sometimes penetrate throughout the entire UBM layer structure. The Ni(P) UBM degradation occurs earlier in the Sn3.5Ag solder than in Sn37Pb because of its higher reflow temperature. Despite the formation of a P-rich layer and cracks inside the UBM, it still keeps its original function within the high-temperature storage period in this study. Explanations for the formation of the P-rich layer and cracks in the UBM are outlined along with explanations for the Ni(P) UBM degradation process

To Weed or Not to Weed? The Colorado Quandary of Legitimate Marijuana Businesses and the Financial Institutions Who are Unable to Serve Them

In 2012, Colorado voters passed Amendment 64, legalizing recreational marijuana. Marijuana, however, remains an illegal controlled substance under federal law. As a result of federal anti-money laundering laws, financial institutions risk prosecution if they provide services to customers whose funds derive from illegal activities. The Obama Administration issued guidance to help both law enforcement and financial institutions navigate this murky area. This guidance directed U.S. Attorneys to focus their resources on prosecuting persons whose activities implicate any federal priority designated by the Department of Justice. If state-legal marijuana businesses adhere to state law and financial institutions follow proper protocol, there should be little chance of prosecution. However, the guidance provides no guarantees, and most financial institutions refuse to take the risk. The lack of available banking services forces marijuana businesses to function as cash-only operations. This not only leads to tax, payroll, and vendor problems, but also makes the operation a target for crime. To tackle this problem, Colorado passed legislation to create cannabis cooperatives, which would allow marijuana businesses to pool their resources and offer bank accounts and credit to members. For the state to implement these cooperatives, according to the legislation, the Federal Reserve must approve the plan. This Comment examines the federal banking laws that inhibit financial institutions from offering services to state-legal marijuana businesses and the Obama Administration\u27s guidance. This Comment will also consider the obstacles marijuana businesses face due to the lack of banking services and the problems with relying on administrative guidance. This Comment posits that, in the absence of congressional action, Colorado can provide a short-term solution by implementing cooperatives, without approval from the Federal Reserve, under the authority of its traditional police powers

O declínio da receita fiscal nos países da ex-URSS

Em quase todos os países da ex-URSS, graves perdas de receita fiscal comprometeram os esforços de estabilização. Medidas destinadas a ampliar as bases tributárias e a melhorar a administração fiscal podem mitigar a situação

Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 outbreaks in England and Wales, 1995: phenotypic methods and genotypic subtyping.

Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 belonging to four phage types (PTs) caused 11 outbreaks of infection in England and Wales in 1995. Outbreak strains of different PTs were distinguishable by DNA-based methods. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis best discriminated among strains belonging to the same PT, distinguishing six of the seven PT2 outbreak strains and both PT49 outbreak strains

The surveillance of vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 in Wales, 1990 to 1998.

Population-based surveillance for Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157 has been carried out in Wales since 1990. The annual incidence has remained stable during the 9-year period (mean: 1.6 cases per 100,000 population); the rate is highest in children younger than 5 years of age. Blood in the stool is reported in fewer than half the cases, indicating the importance of screening all fecal specimens for VTEC O157