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ST2249-MRSA-III: a second major recombinant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone causing healthcare infection in the 1970s
No full textTyping of healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Australia in the 1970s revealed a novel clone, ST2249-MRSA-III (CC45), present from 1973 to 1979. This clone was present before the Australian epidemic caused by the recombinant clone, ST239-MRSA-III. This study aimed to characterize the genome of ST2249-MRSA-III to establish its relationship to other MRSA clones. DNA microarray analysis was conducted and a draft genome sequence of ST2249 was obtained. The recombinant structure of the ST2249 genome was revealed by comparisons to publicly available ST239 and ST45 genomes. Microarray analysis of genomic DNA of 13 ST2249 isolates showed gross similarities with the ST239 chromosome in a segment around the origin of replication and with ST45 for the remainder of the chromosome. Recombination breakpoints were precisely determined by the changing pattern of nucleotide polymorphisms in the genome sequence of ST2249 isolate SK1585 compared with ST239 and ST45. One breakpoint was identified to the right of oriC, between sites 1014 and 1065 of the gene D484_00045. Another was identified to the left of oriC, between sites 1185 and 1248 of D484_01632. These results indicate that ST2249 inherited approximately 35.3% of its chromosome from an ST239-like parent and 64.7% from an ST45-like parent. ST2249-MRSA-III resulted from a major recombination between parents that resemble ST239 and ST45. Although only limited Australian archival material is available, the oldest extant isolate of ST2249 predates the oldest Australian isolate of ST239 by 3 years. It is therefore plausible that these two recombinant clones were introduced into Australia separately
Exploring work-related cultural dimensions in Malawian projects.
No full textEconomic growth has spurned an increase in Malawian projects. The result is constant interaction between project professionals from different cultures. This interaction undoubtedly carries with it misunderstandings between people with different values. The purpose of this study was to explore the national culture work-related values of project professionals in Malawi. The goal is to bridge a gap between foreign project managers and local project managers by uncovering values present in a Malawian project environment. This study utilized four national work-related cultural dimensions as proposed by Geert Hofstede. The four dimensions of culture used in this study were Power Distance, Individualism- Collectivism, Uncertainty avoidance and Masculinity- Femininity. A cross-sectional survey instrument was used to gather data.The sample populations were required to meet the following criteria:(1) The respondents had to have worked on projects in Malawi; (2) The respondents had to possess at least year work experience.This study attempted to answer two main questions:(1) What are the of work related values among Malawian project management professionals.(2) How important are work-related cultural dimensions to project success in Malawi.This study found that participants in Malawi possess low power distance index, collectivist and feminine cultural traits, and high uncertainty avoidance. The cultural indexes found by this study were directly connected to the experiences of project management professionals in Malawi. Cultural factors were also considered to be important to the successful attainment of project objectives. The predictive nature of the results allows this study propose further research considering other dimensions in Malawian projects
Handbook of technical textiles (2nd ed.): technical textile processes
No full textThe second edition of Handbook of Technical Textiles, Volume 1: Technical Textile Processes provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the latest advancements in technical textiles. With revised and updated coverage, including several new chapters, this volume reviews recent developments and technologies in the field, beginning with an overview of the technical textiles industry that includes coverage of technical fibers and yarns, weaving, spinning, knitting, and nonwoven production. Subsequent sections include discussions on finishing, coating, and the coloration of technical textiles. Provides a comprehensive handbook for all aspects of technical textiles. Presents updated, detailed coverage of processes, fabric structure, and applications. An ideal resource for those interested in high-performance textiles, textile processes, textile processing, and textile applications. Contains contributions from many of the original, recognized experts from the first edition who update their respective chapter
Remarkable Lives: Spencer Insley in conversation with Jerome Carson
No full textPurpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Spencer Insley.Design/methodology/approach – Spencer gives a short biographical account and is then interviewed by Jerome. Areas covered in the narrative are the misery of mental illness, the prodromal signs of illness, hospital admission and discharge to supported accommodation.Findings – Apart from the losses resulting from a diagnosis of major mental disorder, Spencer also talks about the loss of friendships. His admission to hospital was especially traumatic, leaving him frightened and confused and feeling he was treated like an animal.Research limitations/implications – While Spencer’s is only one story of many, his experiences have a sorry familiarity to them.Practical implications – Too long denied in the history of psychiatry, service user narratives help us understand the nature of mental suffering and the often inadequate nature of service responses to mental distress.Social implications – Involuntary admissions to hospital need to be handled in a more therapeutic manner.Originality/value – So often it is nurses and occupational therapists who have the most impact on the lives of those with lived experience. Psychiatrists were felt not to be interested in Spencer, whereas his community mental health nurse “Had a genuine interest in what I was doing and how I was getting along.
UV-polymerisable, phosphorus-containing, flame-retardant surface coatings for glass fibre-reinforced epoxy composites
No full textA vinyl phosphonic acid based flame retardant coating has been applied on the surface of a glassfibre reinforced epoxy (GRE) composite substrate using a UV polymerisation technique. On exposure to heat the poly (vinyl phosphonic acid) (PVPA) coating thus obtained, intumesces and acts as a thermal insulator, providing active fire protection to the composite structure. Samples with ~300 and 500 μm thick coatings were prepared. The fire performance of the coated GRE composite was studied by cone calorimetry at 35 and 50kW/m2 heat fluxes. While the sample with ~500 μm thick coating did not ignite at both heat fluxes, the one with the ~300 μm thick coating ignited at 50 kW/m2, however the time-to-ignition was delayed from 60 s in the uncoated sample to 195 s and the peak heat release rate reduced from 572 kW/ m2 to 86 kW/ m2. The coatings did not peel off when subjected to a tape pull test and resisted cracking/debonding during an impact drop test of upto 5 J energy. However, the coatings are hydrophilic, showing significant mass loss in a water soak test. The improvement of the hydrophobicity of these coatings is a focus of our future research
The iTEC Eduteka
No full textIn the current panorama of education across Europe we find that technology is increasingly present in the classroom. On the one hand, we have government programs that provide classrooms with a technological infrastructure. On the other hand, students themselves, usually have mobile devices—such as smartphones and tablets—and carry them everywhere, including the classroom. In this context, it is born the Innovative Technologies for an Engaging Classroom (iTEC) project, which is the flagship FP7 project in the education area, financed by the European Commission with 12 million Euros. The iTEC tries to contribute to the conception of the classroom of the future, in which technology is complemented with the most innovative pedagogical approaches, which entail a major level of dynamism in the educational practice. Thus, the iTEC promotes an educational practice, in which students interact in small projects including a participation in events, speeches with experts, and all that seasoned with the use of technology. In the iTEC, The Eduteka is a toolkit of technologies for advanced learning activity design. The components of the Eduteka provide support for the iTEC pedagogical approach. Those are thoroughly presented in this chapter
Assessing the impact of mobile money in Malawi - a case of Airtel money.
No full textThe advent of Mobile money revolution is sweeping the world today and this is evidenced by the fact that there are over 2 billion people having cell phones in a world where over 2.5 billion adults do not have bank accounts (Penn. M, 2011). The discovery and innovation of a mobile phone as a link to formal and informal financial services has brought about Mobile Money Transfer (Ghosh, I., 2012). Mobile Money Transfer aims at ensuring financial inclusion for the unbanked by facilitating convenient and efficient financial transactions for the economic empowerment of all people especially hard to reach communities. Notably, at global level, financial sector reforms that promote financial inclusion are increasingly at the core of the international development agenda for policy makers and development institutions (Ardic, O.P., et al, 2011).Thus, this study was undertaken to understand the Mobile money impact in Malawi with focus on Airtel Mobile Money. Both primary and secondary data provided valuable information from which findings were drawn. Among other things, the study indicated that Mobile money in Malawi has assisted in alleviating poverty by creating employment to some people and improving productivity through alternative means of paying bills without necessarily travelling far or handling cash insecurely apart from empowering the poor and unbanked with a secure , reliable and efficient mobile money transfer service.The conclusion however from the findings is that poor network availability is a deterrent to accessing mobile money as it also affects quality of the service thereby impacting negatively on customer satisfaction
Auxetic materials for biomedical applications
No full textThe main aim of this project was to assess auxetic (negative Poisson's ratio) materials for potential in biomedical devices. Specifically, a detailed comparative indentation study has been undertaken on auxetic and conventional foams for hip protector devices; radially-gradient one-piece foams having auxetic character have been produced for the first time and shown to have potential in artificial intervertebral disc (IVD) implant devices; and auxetic honeycomb geometries have been assessed for the stem component in hip implant devices.For the hip protector application, combined compression and heat treatment of conventional polyurethane open-cell foam was used to produce monolithic auxetic foams. The foams were characterised structurally using optical microscopy, and mechanically using mechanical testing combined with videoextensometry. Static indentation using six different indenter shapes on each of the six faces of the foam specimens has been undertaken. The key conclusion here is that the enhanced indentation resistance for the converted foam is not a consequence of increased density accompanied by the usual significant increase in foam stiffness. The enhanced indentation resistance is consistent with the auxetic effect associated with the increased density, providing a localised densification mechanism under indentation (i.e. material flows under the indenter). At higher indentation displacement the Poisson’s ratios for both the unconverted and converted foams tend towards zero. In this case, the increase in foam stiffness for the converted foams at higher strain may also contribute to the indentation enhancement at high indentation displacement.New radially-gradient foams mimicking the core-sheath structure of the natural IVD have been produced through the development of a novel thermo-mechanical manufacturing route. Foam microstructural characterisation has been undertaken using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and also micro-CT scans performed by collaborators at the University of Manchester. Detailed x-y strain mapping using combined mechanical testing and videoextensometry enabled the local and global Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio responses of these new materials to be determined. In one example, global auxetic response is achieved in a foam having a positive Poisson's ratio core and auxetic sheath. It is suggested this may be a more realistic representation of the properties of natural IVD tissue.Analytical and Finite Element (FE) models have been developed to design honeycomb geometries for the stems in new total hip replacement implants. FE models of the devices implanted within bone have been developed and the auxetic stems shown to lead to reduced stress shielding effect
Managing risks in housing projects; a case study of Malawi housing corporation
No full textRisk Management is a concept that plays a vital role in Project Management. In housing projects, Risk Management plays a critical role in the project lifecycle as it measures the uncertainty involved that hinders the project from achieving its set objectives. To explore this, the research investigated the use of Risk Management in housing projects undertaken by Malawi Housing Corporation. It applied the risk management process together with the tools and techniques that are applicable in the various stages of the process.Through this investigation, the research has shown that proactive risk management in housing projects deals with the uncertain events and this plays a crucial role especially in saving resources. Risk management thus plays a crucial role in ensuring that the housing projects are delivered on time, within the set budget and specified quality. Thus in housing projects, it can be stated that risk management is a determinant of project success
Ceramic particulate thermal barrier surface coatings for glass fibre-reinforced epoxy composites
No full textThis study investigates the thermal barrier efficiency of five commercially available ceramic nano and micro particles deposited on the surfaces of glass fibre-reinforced epoxy composites (GRE). Two approaches of application of deposition of ceramic particles have been undertaken, firstly where the ceramic particles were dispersed in a phenolic resin binder and applied on a GRE surface by a K-bar coater and the second where extra ceramic particles were sprayed on the first coating while the resin was partially cured to enable the surface to be completely covered by ceramic particles, leaving no resin exposed. The thermal barrier efficiency of these coatings was evaluated from the cone calorimetric parameters at incident heat fluxes of 35 and 50 kW/m2 as well as from temperature gradient through the samples’ thicknesses, measured by inserting thermocouples on the exposed and back surfaces during the cone tests. The morphology and durability of the coatings to water absorption, peeling, impact and flexural loading were also studied. The results showed that the surface layers of all coated samples were uniform and a strong adhesion between the coating and the substrate. Moreover, they did not adversely affect the mechanical properties of GRE composite while improving the mechanical property retention of GRE composites after exposure to heat