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Technology has inserted itself into everyday life. This includes the classroom and instructional practices; however, veteran teachers face unique circumstances with technology. Veteran teachers are looking for leadership in the face of current technological changes. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, we examined the current use of technology in veteran teachers' classrooms in rural Northwest Alabama. Forty veteran teachers answered an online survey about their perceptions of technology in daily instruction, and 12 were selected via purposeful sampling to complete an interview to expound on the survey responses. Findings revealed that these veteran teachers wanted more administrative support, copious yet practical professional development sessions, and removing as many barriers as possible.

Although the past decade has shown how populist governments may challenge the EU’s budgetary framework, we still lack an understanding of the circumstances under which populists are more likely to mobilize against EU-level decision-making in this field, and what this mobilization may look like. Combining the literature on populism as an ideology and EU decision-making, the article zooms in on the negotiations regarding the general regime of conditionality in EU budgetary politics and argues that economic and political factors have influenced populist mobilization. A qualitative comparison of the nine cases where populist parties feature in the government highlights that only two countries, Poland and Hungary, have actively opposed the introduction of the so-called rule-of-law conditionality. A closer look indicates that a combination of Euroscepticism, European Parliamentary affiliation, membership in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the political power that populist parties possess at home, along with key macroeconomic indicators, have influenced populists in government to mobilize against the conditionality mechanism. In the second part of the analysis, the article showcases the actions of the Hungarian government, highlighting it as a specific example of populist mobilization. Viktor Orbán’s government has built a populist narrative around the issue, questioned the norm of the decision-making process, exerted a veto to block the agreement temporarily, and later challenged the regulation in court—in short, it engaged in unpolitics.

Abstract The increasing rate of carbapenem-resistant bacteria within healthcare environments is an issue of great concern that needs urgent attention. This resistance is driven by metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), which can catalyse the hydrolysis of almost all clinically available β-lactams and are resistant to all the clinically utilized β-lactamase inhibitors. In this study, an uncharacterized MBL is identified in a multidrug resistant isolate of the opportunistic pathogen, Chryseobacterium indologenes. Sequence analysis predicts this MBL (CIM-1) to be a lipoprotein with an atypical lipobox. Characterization of CIM-1 reveals it to be a high-affinity carbapenemase with a broad spectrum of activity that includes all cephalosporins and carbapenems. Results also shown that CIM-1 is potentially a membrane-associated MBL with an uncharacterized lipobox. Using prediction tools, we also identify more potentially lipidated MBLs with non-canonical lipoboxes highlighting the necessity of further investigation of lipidated MBLs.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising tool with which to fight rising antibiotic resistance. However, pathogenic bacteria are equipped with several AMP defense mechanisms, whose contributions to AMP resistance are often poorly defined. Here, we evaluate the genetic determinants of resistance to an insect AMP, cecropin B, in the opportunistic pathogen Enterobacter cloacae. Single-cell analysis of E. cloacae's response to cecropin revealed marked heterogeneity in cell survival, phenotypically reminiscent of heteroresistance (the ability of a subpopulation to grow in the presence of supra-MIC concentration of antimicrobial). The magnitude of this response was highly dependent on initial E. cloacae inoculum. We identified 3 genetic factors which collectively contribute to E. cloacae resistance in response to the AMP cecropin: The PhoPQ-two-component system, OmpT-mediated proteolytic cleavage of cecropin, and Rcs-mediated membrane stress response. Altogether, our data suggest that multiple, independent mechanisms contribute to AMP resistance in E. cloacae.

Multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae bacterial strains producing extended range of beta-lactamases or carbapenemases are of serious clinical concern. The aim of the study was to determine the resistance factors of K. pneumoniae strains isolated from the lower respiratory tract of patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods. The study of resistance to antimicrobial drugs included 138 strains of K. pneumoniae isolated from the sputum of patients treated in infectious diseases monohospitals in the city of Tyumen and the Tyumen region within the period from May 2020 to June 2021. Among the strains examined, 51.4% of them were isolated from SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. The presence of resistance genes was determined by PCR in 71 strains of K. pneumoniae (34 strains from COVID-19-positive and 37 strains from COVID-19-negative patients). Identification of isolated bacterial strains was carried out according to the protein spectra by using a desktop time-of-flight mass spectrometer with matrix laser desorption MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker, Germany). The belonging of the strains to the hypermucoid phenotype was determined using the string test. Sensitivity to antimicrobial drugs was assessed in the disk diffusion method on MullerHinton medium. The sensitivity of culture strains to bacteriophage preparations was determined by the drop method (spot-test). In the study, we used Polyvalent Sextaphage Pyobacteriophage and Purified Polyvalent Klebsiella Bacteriophage (JSC NPO Microgen, Russia). Detection of resistance genes to beta-lactam antibiotics by real-time PCR was carried out using the BakRezista kit (OOO DNA-technology, Russia). Results. The results of the study evidence that K. pneumoniae bacteria isolated from COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia displayed a high resistance to antimicrobial drugs and commercial phage-containing drugs. Resistance of K. pneumoniae strains was recorded from 50% (to aminoglycosides and carbapenems) to 90% (to inhibitor-protected penicillins). Sensitivity to bacteriophages was noted on average in no more than 20% of strains. It is important to emphasize that strains isolated from COVID-19-positive patients more often showed a hypermucoid phenotype, suggesting a high bacterial virulence, and also showed greater resistance to all groups of antibacterial drugs examined in the study, which is confirmed by the presence of resistance genes of the ESBL group and carbapenemase. The results of the study suggest that the high level of resistance of K. pneumoniae strains isolated from COVID-19-positive patients is associated with immunosuppression provoked by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which contributes to their colonization by more virulent strains.

The design of shallow foundations typically proceeds by using the load and resistance factor design (LRFD) methodology to avoid various limit states with some probability. This paper looks at the sliding limit state of shallow foundations, and the sliding resistance factors required for the LRFD approach are estimated using reliability analyses of surface strip foundations. Cohesive and frictional soils are separately studied under wind loading conditions. Monte Carlo simulations are used to estimate the sliding failure probability of foundation designs on cohesive soils, and an analytical method is developed for frictional soils. The results indicate the existence of a 'worst case' correlation length for cohesive soils, and the sliding resistance factor required to achieve target maximum lifetime failure probabilities is around 0.4-0.65 for moderate soil variability. For frictional soils, the required sliding resistance factor is about 0.5-0.85 for [v.sub.[phi]'] = 0.15. Overall, the sliding resistance factors recommended here agree well with the resistance factors of [[phi].sub.gu] = 0.6 for cohesive soils and [[phi].sub.gu] = 0.8 for frictional soils stipulated by geotechnical LRFD code provisions in Canada. The analyses can be used to estimate the reliability of current designs and can also aid the calibration of geotechnical design codes. Key words: reliability analysis, sliding failure, resistance factor, shallow foundations, wind loading, 1. Introduction The load and resistance factor design (LRFD) methodology, which separately considers uncertainties in loads and resistance, has been widely used in geotechnical design codes around the world, such [...]

The objective of this study was to identify and analyze the main factors that explain the resistance to distance education (DE) in corporate education (CE) in a military institution. The present study was structured with quantitative and explanatory approach, based on the theoretical framework of the READEC model, which was developed and validated by Albertin and Brauer (2012). From a technical point of view, a bibliographic survey and a field survey were carried out by means of an electronic questionnaire. Data collection was carried out with a sample of 345 Brazilian Army personnel who were part of the Training Course for Sergeants (TCS). The data of this research were treated with the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), technique based on Partial Least Squares (PLS). The results of the research showed that the self-efficacy and performance expectation dimensions directly and positively influence the resistance to the DE in the CE, and the effort expectation, facilitating conditions and interactivity dimensions are constructs antecedent to the performance expectation. Contrary to the previous theory, the results also indicated that the perception about the organizational infrastructure was not significant to explain the resistance to DE, which allows us to bring new insights about this phenomenon.

Over the last few decades, reliability-based design methods have been widely implemented into the foundation design practice. However, several design codes for transmission tower foundations are still based on the allowable stress design (ASD) approach and are yet to adopt the reliability-based approach for design. This paper developed a load and resistance factor design (LRFD) method based on an existing ASD code to design spread foundations of transmission towers under uplift loading in cohesionless soils. In the LRFD development procedures, additional analysis was carried out to check the statistically significant dependency of the model factors (i.e., the ratio between the measured and calculated foundation capacities) on the foundation design parameters. The analysis results showed that there were statistical dependencies between the model factors and the foundation width, which are known as scale effects. By incorporating the identified dependencies, reliability analysis was carried out via Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) by considering the context of transmission tower foundations. From the reliability analysis outputs, it was found that the foundation width had notable effects on the foundation reliability and the calibrated resistance factors. The LRFD format of the existing code was proposed, along with the resistance factors for varying foundation widths and target reliability indices. Finally, a design example was illustrated to compare the design uplift capacities from the existing ASD format and the proposed LRFD format of the design code. Compared to the existing code, the developed LRFD method showed significant improvements in the consistency of the design capacities and the associated reliability levels for a given foundation design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising tool with which to fight rising antibiotic resistance. However, pathogenic bacteria are equipped with several AMP defense mechanisms, whose contributions to AMP resistance are often poorly defined. Here, we evaluate the genetic determinants of resistance to an insect AMP, cecropin B, in the opportunistic pathogen Enterobacter cloacae. Single-cell analysis of E. cloacae's response to cecropin revealed marked heterogeneity in cell survival, phenotypically reminiscent of heteroresistance (the ability of a subpopulation to grow in the presence of supra-MIC concentration of antimicrobial). The magnitude of this response was highly dependent on initial E. cloacae inoculum. We identified 3 genetic factors which collectively contribute to E. cloacae resistance in response to the AMP cecropin: The PhoPQ-two-component system, OmpT-mediated proteolytic cleavage of cecropin, and Rcs-mediated membrane stress response. Altogether, our data suggest that multiple, independent mechanisms contribute to AMP resistance in E. cloacae., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Murtha et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Nakaseomyces glabratus (N. glabratus) formerly known as Candida glabrata (C. glabrata), is an endogenous opportunistic pathogen, which is generally located in the gastrointestinal tract but can spread in immunocompromised patients. N. glabratus is the second most common pathogen that causes candidemia in several countries. N. glabratus virulence factors may increase antifungal resistance and reduce the number of available treatment options. High resistance to azoles and increasing resistance to echinocandins have been previously reported in N. glabratus., Objective: To establish the distribution of N. glabratus isolates in Europe and its drug susceptibility/resistance in each country over the last 7 years., Methods: The search was performed across three databases: PubMed, Scopus and Scielo, using the MeSH terms: "Candida glabrata", "Nakaseomyces glabratus", "Europe", "resistance" and "Epidemiology" exclusively in English. All available information from January 2002 to December 2022 was included, excluding reviews, meta-analyses and book chapters., Results: Fifty-seven articles with information on antifungal susceptibility in Europe were retrieved and analysed with a total of 15,400 reported C. glabrata isolates. Remarkably, nations that presented the maximum number of cases during the study period included the United Kingdom (n = 7241, 47.02%), France (n = 3190, 20.71%), Spain (n = 900, 5.84%), Hungary (n = 745, 4.84%) and Italy (n = 486, 3.16%). C. glabrata isolates presented resistance to azoles [voriconazole (n = 2225, 14.45%), fluconazole (n = 1612, 10.47%), itraconazole (n = 337, 2.19%) and clotrimazole (n = 89, 0.58%)], increased resistance to echinocandins, especially to anidulafungin (n = 138, 0.89%), and high sensitivity to amphotericin B., Conclusion: The number of candidemia cases associated with triazole-resistant N. glabratus isolates have been increasing in Europe. Therefore, echinocandins and amphotericin B can be considered optional empirical treatments; however, antifungal susceptibility testing is required to determine the best therapeutic options., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

This study presents a critical assessment of the reliability of current base plate connections in steel special moment resisting frames (SMRFs). Using a probabilistic outlook, this research evaluates the reliability of exposed column base (ECB) connections in SMRFs designed based on the current seismic design provisions; it suggests (and implements) a statistical approach to compute resistance factors for three modes of failure (concrete bearing, base plate yielding at tensile interface, and anchor bolt fracture) of ECB connections to achieve a target reliability index, β, of 4.5. Since ECB connections are limited to short buildings, therefore, this study is conducted on two-story and four-story SMRFs which are analyzed using a suite of 120 ground motions originating from strike-slip and reverse faults. ECB connections for the two-story building are designed to simulate pinned connection, while the bases of the four-story building represent moment connections. Detailed methodology for calculating the β of ECB connections is presented considering the three limit states in a moment–axial load interaction curve. Results indicate that the implementation of current seismic provisions results in β ~ 3.3 for non-moment resisting ECB connections for all tried combinations of resistance factors. For moment resisting ECB connections, however, only the designs based on a resistance factor for concrete bearing failure mode less than the current 0.65 result in an acceptable reliability factor of β > 4.5.

Although the geotechnical resistance factors at ultimate limit state (ULS) used for dynamic loading conditions should be different from those for static loading conditions, most current structural and geotechnical design codes do not specifically provide dynamic resistance factors. In this paper, the ULS reliability analysis of individual shallow foundations for drained and undrained soil conditions under seismic (pseudo-dynamic) and wind loads using the Random Finite Element Method is carried out using the provisions of the National Building Code of Canada. The geotechnical resistance factors required to achieve target maximum lifetime failure probabilities are estimated for a few major Canadian cities. The results indicate that the failure probability for drained soil conditions is slightly greater than that for undrained soil conditions. In addition, the results suggest that the dynamic resistance factors for foundation bearing capacity design at ULS are lower than those for static foundation design specified by the code. The current analysis can be used to guide the calibration of these geotechnical resistance factors. Key words: reliability-based design, resistance factor, seismic design, wind design, shallow foundations, bearing capacity. Les coefficients de resistance geotechnique utilises a l'etat limite ultime (ULS) pour les conditions de chargement dynamique devraient etre differents de ceux utilises pour les conditions de chargement statique, mais la plupart des codes de conception structurale et geotechnique actuels ne fournissent pas specifiquement de coefficients de resistance dynamique. La presente etude porte sur l'analyse de la fiabilite a ULS de fondations individuelles peu profondes pour des conditions de sol draine et non draine sous des charges sismiques (pseudo-dynamiques) et eoliennes en utilisant la methode des elements finis aleatoires, selon les dispositions du Code national du batiment du Canada. Les facteurs de resistance geotechnique requis pour atteindre les probabilites de defaillance maximales cibles sont estimes pour quelques grandes villes canadiennes. Selon les resultats, le risque de defaillance dans des conditions de sol draine est legerement superieur a celui des conditions de sol non draine. Ils suggerent egalement que les coefficients de resistance dynamique necessaires a la conception de la capacite portante des fondations a ULS sont plus faibles que ceux prevus par le code pour la conception des fondations statiques. L'analyse actuelle peut etre utilisee pour guider la calibration de ces coefficients de resistance geotechnique. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: conception basee sur la fiabilite, facteur de resistance, conception sismique, conception du vent, fondations peu profondes, capacite portante., 1. Introduction The load and resistance factor design (LRFD) approach utilizes a geotechnical resistance factor, typically less than 1, to scale the geotechnical resistance to values sufficiently small to achieve [...]