Bloodstream yeast infections: a 15-month survey

A 15-month survey of 412 bloodstream yeast isolates from 54 Belgian hospitals was undertaken. Candida albicans was the most common species (47.3%) followed by C. glabrata (25.7%), C. parapsilosis (8.0%), C. tropicalis (6.8%) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (5.1%). Common predisposing factors were antibacterial therapy (45%), hospitalization in intensive care units (34%), presence of in-dwelling catheters (32%), underlying cancer (23%) and major surgery (11%). Most patients had more than one predisposing factor. Fluconazole alone or in combination with another antifungal agent was the treatment of choice for 86.6% of the cases. Susceptibility testing revealed that 93.5% were susceptible to amphotericin B, 39.6% to itraconazole, 42.8% to fluconazole and 87% to voriconazole. Resistance to azoles was more common among C. glabrata isolates

Geodesic acoustic modes in a fluid model of tokamak plasma : the effects of finite beta and collisionality

Starting from the Braginskii equations, relevant for the tokamak edge region, a complete set of nonlinear equations for the geodesic acoustic modes (GAM) has been derived which includes collisionality, plasma beta and external sources of particle, momentum and heat. Local linear analysis shows that the GAM frequency increases with collisionality at low radial wave number $k_{r}$ and decreases at high $k_{r}$. GAM frequency also decreases with plasma beta. Radial profiles of GAM frequency for two Tore Supra shots, which were part of a collisionality scan, are compared with these calculations. Discrepency between experiment and theory is observed, which seems to be explained by a finite $k_{r}$ for the GAM when flux surface averaged density $\langle n \rangle$ and temperature $\langle T \rangle$ are assumed to vanish. It is shown that this agreement is incidental and self-consistent inclusion of $\langle n \rangle$ and $\langle T \rangle$ responses enhances the disagreement more with $k_r$ at high $k_{r}$ . So the discrepancy between the linear GAM calculation, (which persist also for more "complete" linear models such as gyrokinetics) can probably not be resolved by simply adding a finite $k_{r}$

Dimensionality cross-over in magnetism: from domain walls (2D) to vortices (1D)

Dimensionality cross-over is a classical topic in physics. Surprisingly it has not been searched in micromagnetism, which deals with objects such as domain walls (2D) and vortices (1D). We predict by simulation a second-order transition between these two objects, with the wall length as the Landau parameter. This was conrmed experimentally based on micron-sized ux-closure dots

El entorno para el cuidado de personas con demencia

Populations in many countries are ageing at a rapid pace which is expected to rise over the coming years. Health and social care provision and infrastructure need to respond to the ageing population and its related conditions such as dementia. The healthcare built environment can impact on people with dementia and the care pathway is highly relevant to quality of life, patients, residents, family, staff and carers. Evidence-based design solutions and best practice can help to improve the quality of life and deliver value for money during a period of rapid change where long term solutions relating to the healthcare environment are requrired. Research and pilot studies can help to demonstrate the benefits of evidence-based design and best practice for integrated care delivery. This paper explores the current trend and future oportunities to deliver dementia-friendly environments and integrated care through gathering of evidence, development of best practice guidance and integration of care delivery

Flight Tests, Performances and Flight Certification of a Twin-Engine Light Aircraft

This paper deals with flight test activities performed on P2006T, a twin-engine light aircraft recently designed and produced by Tecnam. Research activities and flight tests have been conducted during the flight certification of P2006T for the normal category under CS-23. All the acquired data and flight results presented have been focused on both aircraft certification and on aircraft performances, stability and flight qualities measurement. The data have been acquired through a light, accurate and reliable flight instrumentation available at DIAS (Department of Aerospace Engineering). Some flight data about aircraft leveled speed, stall speed, climb characteristics and ground performances (take-off and landing) will be presented. After preliminary flight tests, winglets have been designed and added to the final configuration in order to obtain good climb performances also in OEI (One Engine Inoperative) conditions. Accurate stall tests have been performed in all configurations and influence of both entry-rate and load factor on stall speed have been highlighted. Excellent ground performances have been measured with short take-off and landing distances compared with similar airplanes. All measured flight performances can be considered very good for this aircraft category and have been used to demonstrate aircraft safety and to obtain CS23 certification

The burden is great and the money little: Changing chronic disease management in low– and middle–income countries

Many health conditions are chronic, and only some of those chronic health conditions are NCDs. If the interest is on cause and prevention, then NCDs should be treated separately from other chronic diseases. If the interest is on health systems and management, then NCDs should be joined with other chronic diseases