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Clostridium difficile infection remains a major healthcare burden. Until the recent introduction of fidaxomicin, antimicrobial treatments were limited to metronidazole and vancomycin. The emergence of epidemic C. difficile PCR ribotype 027 and its potential link to decreased antibiotic susceptibility highlight the lack of large-scale antimicrobial susceptibility and epidemiological data available. We report results of epidemiological and antimicrobial susceptibility investigations of C. difficile isolates collected prior to fidaxomicin introduction, establishing important baseline data. Thirty-nine sites in 22 countries submitted a total of 953 C. difficile isolates for PCR ribotyping, toxin testing, and susceptibility testing to metronidazole, vancomycin, fidaxomicin, rifampicin, moxifloxacin, clindamycin, imipenem, chloramphenicol, and tigecycline. Ninety-nine known ribotypes were identified. Ribotypes 027, 014, 001/072, and 078 were most frequently isolated in line with previous European studies. There was no evidence of resistance to fidaxomicin, and reduced susceptibility to metronidazole and vancomycin was also scarce. Rifampicin, moxifloxacin, and clindamycin resistance (13%, 40%, and 50% of total isolates, respectively) were evident in multiple ribotypes. There was a significant correlation between lack of ribotype diversity and greater antimicrobial resistance (measured by cumulative resistance score). Well-known epidemic ribotypes 027 and 001/072 were associated with multiple antimicrobial resistance, but high levels of resistance were also observed, particularly in 018 and closely related emergent ribotype 356 in Italy. This raises the possibility of antimicrobial exposure as the underlying reason for their appearance, and highlights the need for ongoing epidemiological and antimicrobial resistance surveillance.

This study presents a comprehensive process, economic, environmental, and socioeconomic analysis of the enzymatic recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate), which is the most widely used synthetic polyester. The analyses predict that PET deconstruction using enzymes can achieve cost parity with terephthalic acid manufacturing as well as substantial reductions in both supply chain energy use and greenhouse gas emissions relative to virgin polyester manufacturing. This study also highlights key research areas for further impactful development of biocatalysis-enabled plastics recycling.

This study develops an approach to incentivize both higher extents of waste plastics reclamation and use of bio-based chemicals. In particular, reclaimed plastics (polyethylene terephthalate) and chemicals derivable from renewable resources are combined to create high-performance, long-lifetime composite materials with properties that exceed those of standard petroleum-based materials and that exhibit higher selling prices than reclaimed plastic. Analysis predicts that this approach results in reductions in energy input and greenhouse gas emissions relative to standard composites manufacturing today.

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K nowledge is created through conversation. Libraries are in the knowledge business. Therefore, libraries are in the conversation business. Some of those conversations span millennia, while others only span a few seconds. Some of these conversations happen in real time. In some conversations, there is a broadcast of ideas from one author to multiple audiences. Some conversa tions are sparked by a book, a video, or a Web page. Some of these conversations are as trivial as directing someone to the bathroom. Other conversations center on the foun dations of ourselves and our humanity.It may be odd to start a technology brief with such seemingly abstract comments. Yet, without this firm, if theoretical, footing, the advent of Web 2.0, social net working, Library 2.0, and participatory networks seems a clutter of new terminology, tools, and acronyms. In fact, as will be discussed, without this conceptual footing, many library functions can seem disconnected, and the field that serves lawyers, doctors, single mothers, and eightyear olds (among others) fragmented.The scale of this technology brief is limited; it is to present library decisionmakers with the opportunities and challenges of participatory networks. It is only a single piece of a much larger puzzle that seeks to pres ent a cohesive framework for libraries. This framework not only will fit tools such as blogs and wikis into their offerings (where appropriate), but also will show how a more participatory, conversational approach to libraries in general can help libraries better integrate current and future functions. Think of this document as an overview or introduction to participatory librarianship. Readers will find plenty of examples and definitions of Web 2.0 and social networking later in this article. However, to jump right into the technology without a larger frame work invites the rightful skepticism of a library organiza tion that feels constantly buffeted by new technological advances. In any environment with no larger conceptual founding, to measure the importance of an advance in technology or practice selection of any one technology or practice is nearly arbitrary. Without a framework, the field becomes open to the influence of personalities and trendy technology. Therefore, it is vital to ground any technological, social, or policy conversation into a larger, rooted concept. As Susser said, "to practice without theory is to sail an uncharted sea; theory without practice is not to set sail at all."1 For this paper, the chart will be conversation theory.The core of this article is in four sections: It is recommended that the reader follow this order to get the big picture; however, the second section should be a useful primer on the language and concepts of partici patory networks. ■ Library as a facilitator of conversationLet us return to the concept that knowledge is created through conversation. This notion stretches back to Socrates and the Socratic method. However, the specific foundation for this statement comes from conversation theory, a...