Penn State and the Palmer Museum of Art mourn the loss of dear friend, generous donor, and loyal champion John P. Driscoll, who died from complications due to COVID-19 on Friday, April 10. Driscoll, owner of Driscoll Babcock Galleries in New York, was a longtime friend and supporter of the Palmer Museum and will be remembered for his role as a leader, gracious mentor and trusted adviser, as well as for the expansive gifts he made to the collection and to his alma mater, Penn State.

Strategic partnerships could be used to create win-win outcomes, says Sifiso Skenjana.

L’image de havre de paix dans une région en proie aux conflits dont bénéficiait le Cameroun a volé en éclats depuis l’irruption de Boko Haram en 2013 au nord du pays. Ce mouvement, devenu l’Etat islamique en Afrique de l’Ouest en mars 2015, revendique son affiliation à Daech. Néanmoins, l’apparition brutale et sanglante de ce djihadisme africain est moins liée à l’essor de Daech en Irak et en Syrie qu’aux bouleversements du paysage religieux de l’Afrique en général et du Cameroun en particulier.

States looking to renew NCLB waivers while they transition to new assessments ask to freeze school ratings in place for one year, the Education Department says.

Telacebec (Q203) is a new anti-tubercular drug with extremely potent activity against Mycobacterium ulcerans. Here, we explored the treatment-shortening potential of Q203 alone or in combination with rifampin (RIF) in a mouse footpad infection model. The first study compared Q203 at 5 and 10 mg/kg doses alone and with rifampin. Q203 alone rendered most mouse footpads culture-negative in 2 weeks. Combining Q203 with rifampin resulted in relapse-free cure 24 weeks after completing 2 weeks of treatment, compared to a 25% relapse rate in mice receiving RIF+clarithromycin, the current standard of care, for 4 weeks.

The second study explored the dose-ranging activity of Q203 alone and with RIF, including the extended activity of Q203 after treatment discontinuation. The bactericidal activity of Q203 persisted for ≥ 4 weeks beyond the last dose. All mice receiving just 1 week of Q203 at 2-10 mg/kg were culture-negative 4 weeks after stopping treatment. Mice receiving 2 weeks of Q203 at 0.5, 2 and 10 mg/kg were culture-negative 4 weeks after treatment. RIF did not increase the efficacy of Q203. A pharmacokinetics sub-study revealed that Q203 doses of 2-10 mg/kg in mice produce plasma concentrations similar to those produced by 100-300 mg doses in humans, with no adverse effect of RIF on Q203 concentrations.

These results indicate the extraordinary potential of Q203 to reduce the duration of treatment necessary for cure to ≤ 1 week (or 5 doses of 2-10 mg/kg) in our mouse footpad infection model and warrant further evaluation of Q203 in clinical trials.

Objectives: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales and specifically KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) are rapidly spreading worldwide. The prognosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) is not well known. Our study tries to assess whether ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by a KPC-Kp strain is associated with higher all-cause mortality than if caused by carbapenem-susceptible isolates.

Study design and methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with VAP due to K. pneumoniae from a 35-bed polyvalent Intensive Care Unit in a university hospital (> 40,000 annual admissions) between January 2012 and December 2016. Adjusted multivariate analysis was used to study the association of KPC-Kp with 30-day all-cause mortality (Cox regression).

Results. We analyze 69 cases of K. pneumoniae VAP of which 39 were produced by a KPC-Kp strain with high-level resistance to meropenem (MIC > 16 mg/mL). All-cause mortality at 30 days was 41% in the KPC-Kp group (16/39) and 33.3% in the carbapenem-susceptible cases (10/30). KPC-Kp etiology was not associated with higher mortality when controlled for confounders (adjusted hazard ratio [lsqb]HR[rsqb] 1.25; 95% CI: 0.46–3.41). Adequate targeted therapy (HR 0.03; 95% CI: <0.01–0.23) was associated with all-cause mortality.

Conclussion. Assuming the limitations due to the available sample size, the prognosis of VAP caused by KPC-Kp is similar to VAPs caused by carbapenem-susceptible K. pneumoniae when appropriate treatment is used.

Klebsiella pneumoniae that produce extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) are a persistent public health threat. There are relatively few therapeutic options and there is undue reliance on carbapenems. Alternative therapeutic options are urgently required. A combination of cefepime and the novel beta lactamase inhibitor enmetazobactam is being developed for treatment of serious infections caused by ESBL-producing organisms. The pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) of cefepime-enmetazobactam against ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae was studied in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model. Dose ranging studies were performed. Dose fractionation studies were performed to define the relevant PD index for the inhibitor. The partitioning of cefepime and enmetazobactam into the lung was determined by comparing area under the concentration time curve (AUC) in plasma and epithelial lining fluid. The magnitude of drug exposure for cefepime-enmetazobactam required for logarithmic killing in the lung was defined using 3 ESBL-producing strains. Cefepime 100 mg/kg q8h i.v. had minimal antimicrobial effect. When this background regimen of cefepime was combined with enmetazobactam half-maximal effect was induced with enmetazobactam 4.71 mg/kg q8h i.v. The dose fractionation study suggest both fT>threshold and fAUC:MIC are potentially relevant PD indices. The AUC_ELF:AUC_plasma for cefepime and enmetazobactam was 73.4% and 61.5%, respectively. A ≥2-log kill in the lung was achieved with a plasma and ELF cefepime fT>MIC of ≥20% and enmetazobactam fT>2 mg/L of ≥20% of the dosing interval. These data and analyses provide the underpinning evidence for the combined use of cefepime and enmetazobactam for nosocomial pneumonia.

Meropenem/vaborbactam resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae is associated with loss of function mutations in the OmpK35 and OmpK36 porins. Here we identify two previously unknown loss of function mutations that confer cefuroxime resistance in K. pneumoniae. The proteins lost were NlpD and KvrA; the latter is a transcriptional repressor controlling capsule production. We demonstrate that KvrA loss reduces OmpK35 and OmpK36 porin production, which confers reduced susceptibility to meropenem/vaborbactam in a KPC-3 producing K. pneumoniae isolate.

Google has made it easier to join the company's Advanced Protection Program, which is designed to stop the most sophisticated hackers from breaking into your Gmail account. Before you needed two security keys to enroll. Now you just need a smartphone.

On Tuesday, Avast responded to a PCMag-Motherboard investigation into the company's browser history collection practices, saying it was entirely legal. Avast users should expect to see a prompt from the antivirus products, asking them to consent to the data harvesting.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Antibiotic therapy is often prescribed for suspected community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children despite a lack of knowledge of causative pathogen. Our objective in this study was to investigate the association between antibiotic prescription and treatment failure in children with suspected CAP who are discharged from the hospital emergency department (ED).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Runaway youth and homeless youth are at risk for adverse mental health outcomes. These 2 populations are frequently pooled together in both research and interventions yet may have unique health needs. We sought to assess differences in mental health outcomes among these populations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Children with medical complexity (CMC) comprise only 6% of the pediatric population, account for ~40% of pediatric health care spending, and provide an important opportunity for cost saving. Savings in this group can have an important impact on pediatric health care costs. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a multicenter care management program on spending and use in CMC.

Penn State Health has enrolled its first COVID-19 patient into an experimental treatment program called convalescent plasma therapy.

A new protocol using aerosolized hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate N95 respirators could allow them to be safely reused in hospital settings. The protocol, optimized by a team of Penn State researchers, inactivates viruses without deforming or damaging the respirator and could help hospitals overcome the current respirator shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Matthew J. Lipshaw
Apr 1, 2020; 145:e20193138-e20193138
ARTICLES

Unit trusts appeal to me because:

The FDA estimates that between 45 and 50 students at a Massachusetts school for students with autism, emotional disturbances, and intellectual disabilities are subjected to electrical shocks through electrodes attached to their skin.

PARTICK Thistle today branded the SPFL a "disgrace" for failing to inform them that league reconstruction had been abandoned and revealed they are "deeply angered" by Ladbrokes Premiership clubs scuppering the plans.

The Every Student Succeeds Act will give states and districts more authority to be creative in improving schools, but they will need support to use research and data effectively, according to a report by the Center for American Progress think tank and the Knowledge Alliance, a professional group for

Understanding how research is actually used by district leaders is essential for research-practice partnerships to effectively bridge research and practice in education.

The first in a three post series on challenges and opportunities with blended learning, starting with getting to actionable data.

Zoom-bombings have been making headlines across the country this spring, and Penn State is no exception to the increase in security threats and breaches. To address these recent incidents in Zoom meetings, University-wide Zoom default setting changes will be implemented on May 11.

Villavicencio, Colombia, Apr 7, 2020 / 12:00 am (CNA).- The president of the Colombian bishops’ conference, Óscar Urbina, suspended 15 priests of his archdiocese from ministry who have been accused of sexual abuse. Other jurisdictions in the country have removed four other priests.

Archbishop Óscar Urbina of Villavicencio told Colombian media that the accused priests represent 15% of the city’s priests.

The priests are accused of committing sexual abuse in Colombia, Italy and the United States, Caracol Radio reported.

Fr. Carlos Villabón, communications director and chancellor for the archdiocese of Villavicencio, told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish language news partner, that the 15 priests were suspended while a canonical investigation proceeds at the Vatican.

“On March 16, 2020 these 15 priests were notified after a preliminary investigation was carried out. They are neither convicted nor acquitted by this suspension, only asked to relinquish their parish duties, cease celebrating the Eucharist and cease their ministerial service while the complete investigation is conducted,” the priest explained.

The results of the preliminary investigation “are now being sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican, and there they will determine the gravity of the facts and what the Church calls a penal canonical process will be conducted,” Villabón said.

“It’s unknown how much time the canonical process will take, but the idea is that it proceed as quickly as possible, considering that in Italy and in many parts of the world there’s a quarantine because of the coronavirus,” the communications director added.
Caracol Radio published a list of the 19 priests, but Villabón told ACI Prensa that the archdiocese would neither confirm nor deny the names reported.

 “According to a witness under protection by the prosecutor’s office, the 19 priests apparently formed a network of abusers, Caracol Radio reported.

In an April 3 statement, the archdiocese of Villavicencio announced that an accusation was received Feb. 14, 2020 concerning “acts against sexual morality by some priests of this archdiocese.”

“Having as a priority the alleged victim, we expressed to him our deep pain and solidarity and have offered him psychological and spiritual accompaniment. We reaffirm our commitment to act with clarity and transparency for his good and that of the Church,” the statement said.

Following the protocols of the Archdiocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors, once the abuse was reported, the regional prosecutor’s office was notified and “we made ourselves completely available to cooperate in the investigations taking place in this case,” the statement said.

The archdiocese said that it has taken steps “to eradicate the terrible evil of abuse within and outside our institution. We ask to be informed of any situations where one of our members has finally betrayed his vocation of service and dedication to the Lord and the community.”

A version of this story was first reported by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

 

On Monday, Pablo Escobar's brother started to take orders for a second foldable phone at the low price of $399. However, users who bought the first foldable phone from the company say their orders have yet to arrive. Instead, what they got was a book and a pamphlet.

We're living through a moment that will be written about in history books. Personal journals, blogs and oral histories could help shape the narrative, according to historians at Penn State Behrend.

Jason Williams, an assistant teaching professor of engineering at Penn State Behrend, helped develop a plastic face shield for use in COVID-19 environments. More than 50,000 of his shields have been shipped to health-care providers in three states.

Fifty students of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus have generated $71,063.48 in donations for the annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), held Feb. 22 to 23 in the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park.

Penn State alumnus and author Paul Levine's latest novel, "Cheater's Game," focuses on the college admissions scandal.

People find it convenient to use Facebook or other social media accounts to sign up for most new apps and services, but they prefer to use their e-mail address or open a new account if they feel the information in the app is too sensitive, according to a team of researchers.

A multi-disciplinary collaborative relationship, developed between Penn State EMS Energy Institute researchers and a Pittsburgh-based start-up company, may hold the answer to reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while also paving the way to disrupt the chemical and material industries.

A PCMag reader hopes to use a VPN to stream their favorite sporting events to a smart TV. Senior security analyst Max Eddy explains that while this can work, it's a complicated and morally fraught process.

Configuring your router to run a VPN lets it protect all the devices on your network, but senior security analyst Max Eddy explains why it might not be practical for the average user.

When we talk about VPNs, it's often in the context of unsafe situations. Senior Security Analyst Max Eddy argues that these tools are still valuable, even when the risk is low.

Reports of suspected child abuse have declined in Pennsylvania since the onset of social distancing guidelines. But experts in the Penn State Center for the Protection of Children say this does not correlate with an actual decline in abuse cases.

House Democrats are demanding that companies return federal dollars that they say were intended for smaller businesses

The coronavirus is surfacing deep inside the White House

Within three weeks, a pandemic has completely changed the national landscape on testing. The U.S. Department of Education has now excused all 50 states and the District of Columbia from the requirement that they test all their students in math and English/language arts.

Penn State faculty are going beyond using traditional video in their courses by incorporating virtual-reality immersive experiences. They are discovering how those experiences help enhance active learning and focus students' attention on critical lessons in their courses.

It's not too late to register for Virtual Spring Open House at Penn State York. Discover what the campus has to offer and how to become a part of the blue and white.

On Friday, USA Swimming CEO Chuck Wielgus offered a formal apology for not doing more to prevent sexual abuse by coaches.

Westinghouse's 32-Inch Ultra HD Home/Office Monitor has some color-accuracy shortfalls and a limited feature set, but it does get you a large-screen 4K display at an affordable price.

Students report that schools' filters, firewalls, and blockage of social media sites are obstacles to their use of educational technology.

Source: www.thegatewaypundit.com - Friday, May 08, 2020
One in Four Americans would refuse a COVID-19 vaccine according to a new ABC News/Ipsos poll. The news comes as Americans trust in the medical community continues to plunge thanks to overblown predictions on the extent of the coronavirus pandemic, fake news reporting and the continued attacks on hydroxychloroquine treatments that are showing great success. HUGE UPDATE: Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx Used Imperial College Model — NOW CONFIRMED AS A COMPLETE FRAUD — To Persuade President Trump to Lock Down Entire US Economy! After losing your business and livelihood due to faulty models and predictions why would you trust the government with a COVID-19 vaccine? Via ABC Action News : Americans, by a large 30-point margin, are resistant to re-opening the country now, believing the risk to human life of opening the country outweighs the economic toll of remaining under restrictive lockdowns — a concern that starkly divides along partisan lines, according to a new ABC News/Ipsos released Friday. In the new poll, conducted by Ipsos in partnership with ABC News using Ipsos’ Knowledge Panel, nearly two-thirds of Americans said they more closely align with the view that opening the county now is not advantageous since it will result in a higher death toll, while slightly more than one-third agree with the belief that an immediate reopening is beneficial to minimize the negative impact on the economy. But those attitudes show deep partisan divisio

A Holyrood committee has called on the Scottish Government to include a “sunset clause” in legislation that will enable the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to continue to operate during a post-Brexit transition period

UEFA has confirmed that it will introduce Video Assistant Referees for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Source: www.youtube.com - Tuesday, May 05, 2020

You don't need a comprehensive No Child Left Behind waiver to get a reprieve from some of the law's accountability requirements.