Differences in bacterial load in Aedes aegypti larval rearing water containing diverse microbial communities

Understanding how Aedes aegypti larvae interact with their microbial environment is critical for mosquito control strategies such as sterile insect technique (SIT). The effectiveness of SIT relies on rearing high quality males that are sterilized and released into the wild where they must successfully compete for mates. Nutritional intake is key to Ae. aegypti mosquito fitness, and the larval microbiota is a primary component of larval nutrition. This study examines whether environmental bacterial loads differ when larvae are presented with field-derived communities of bacterial isolates as opposed to an artificially simplified microbiota of just E. coli. We monitored changes in bacterial load over time in rearing water with and without larvae. Our results show that in the presence of larvae, microbial communities significantly influence aquatic bacterial load (p=0.00057), with effects varying across different days of larval development as indicated by a significant interaction between treatments and days (p=0.02). In the absence of larvae, microbial communities used for inoculation significantly influence aquatic bacterial load (p=7.87x10-5). Days from inoculation also had a significant main effect (p=0.0033), indicating that bacterial load changed across timepoints. However, the interaction between treatment and days was not significant (p=0.1944), demonstrating that although bacterial load differed among days, the pattern of change over time was similar across treatments. Altogether, these findings show that variation in bacterial load across treatments likely reflects differences in how each community responds to the rearing environment and the effects of larval-mediated processes. Compared to the no-larvae treatment, where bacterial load follows a typical growth-decline trajectory, treatments with larvae demonstrate altered patterns consistent with nutrient enrichment and larval feeding. Although we did not characterize the specific bacterial taxa present, and therefore cannot infer underlying community dynamics, the patterns observed among treatments indicate that communities differ in their ability to utilize available nutrients and maintain abundance in the presence of larval feeding. Through better understanding how bacterial composition affects mosquito development, we can find better ways to optimize mass-rearing strategies and improve male mosquito life history traits.No embargoAcademic Major: Biolog

The Moritz Briefing (November 2025)

An occasional newsletter highlighting recent activities and achievements of the Moritz Faculty.Note: Issue number is incorrect in document. Please use information from item metadata for citation

Xue and Haoxue: Learning Contents and Learning Attitude in The Analects of Confucius

The Analects (Lunyu 論語) is a foundational text of Confucian thought, emphasizing the role of learning (xue 學) in attaining the status of junzi (君子), or exemplary person. This paper examines how The Analects redefines junzi from an aristocratic title to a moral ideal accessible to anyone through self-cultivation. Learning encompasses cultural knowledge, classical texts, and virtues such as filial piety, respect, and benevolence. Confucius highlighted the importance of an appropriate attitude toward learning, advocating for diligence, open-mindedness, and the joy of study. The learning and teaching methodologies could resonate with certain hypotheses in the Performed Culture Approach. The Analects presents learning as a holistic process that integrates knowledge acquisition with the cultivation of moral and social virtues. By embodying these principles, individuals can achieve personal growth and contribute meaningfully to society, realizing the qualities of a true junzi

Searching for Solidarity: Revolutionary Dreams and Radical Social Movements

On orientation : disrupting erasure and ideologies of exceptionalism -- On testimony : reclaiming affective politics -- On postmemory : our hearts haven't been quenched yet -- On peripherality : mobilizing affective geographies -- On hope : bloom-spaces and the circulation of solidarityItem embargoed for three year

Greener Synthesis of Sulfosuccinimidyl 6-((4-azido-2-nitrophenyl) amino) hexanoate

The current manufacturing process for Sulfosuccinimidyl 6-((4-azido-2-nitrophenyl) amino)hexanoate (Sulfo-SANPAH) involves an organic solvent system containing 60% acetone to synthesize 6-((4-azido-2-nitrophenyl) amino)hexanoic (AMPAH) acid, the precursor to the final structure. Though acetone is relatively safe, there is a potential method to mitigate flammability risks during production by using only water as the solvent to synthesize AMPAH acid. This hetero-bifunctional crosslinker, essential for cell-surface protein crosslinking, contains dual reactive groups: a photoreactive nitrophenyl azide and an amine-reactive Sulfo N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS) ester. The molecular design preserves both the nitrene group formation under UV exposure for C-H, N-H, and ring expansion insertions, and the NHS ester reactivity with primary amines at pH 7-9 for stable amide bond formation. The method of synthesizing the precursor to Sulfo-SANPAH demonstrated equivalent sulfonation efficiency to the original material while significantly reducing process safety risks. This improved synthetic approach provides a safer manufacturing route for this important biological conjugation reagent.No embargoAcademic Major: Pharmaceutical Science

Job Satisfaction Among Workers with Intellectual Disabilities

Job satisfaction is the most widely studied construct in industrial-organizational psychology, but relatively few studies have examined job satisfaction among employees with intellectual disabilities, and even these few used such a diversity of methodologies that meaningful comparison is nearly impossible. This study administers the abridged Job in General Scale (aJIGS)—considered the “best practice” instrument for assessing global job satisfaction in this population—to the Transition Options in Postsecondary Settings (TOPS) program at The Ohio State University (OSU), a federally-funded workforce development program that connects OSU students with intellectual disabilities to internships and integrated employment based on their unique skills and career interests. Both item-level means and mean overall scores were compared to a large preexisting random sample of nondisabled American workers. It was found that TOPS participants have significantly higher overall job satisfaction than the general population (in America), as well as significantly higher scores for the modified aJIGS items, “Is your job excellent?” and “Is your job enjoyable?”. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.No embargoAcademic Major: Human Resource

Investigating the Determinants of Antibody Binding Against a Cancer-Related Glycoprotein The Crucial Role of the Heavy Chain CDRs

Understanding antibody-target interactions is essential for the efficient development of immune therapeutics. Antibody variable domains contain the Complementarity-Determining Regions (CDRs) responsible for antigen binding, and framework regions (FR) that provide structural support. Various antibody numbering schemes have been developed in hopes of better characterization of CDRs, but the binding hotspots identified are not consistent across schemes. This inconsistency can lead to delays in drug discovery screenings as possible binding epitopes may be untested or mutations of the FR destabilize potentially viable proteins. Here we studied the binding of the 3E8 single chain variable fragment (scFv), part of a family of antibodies that bind to the sialyl-Tn (STn) glycan antigen on proteins, using mutagenesis studies. There is relatively little known of how glycan-binding antibodies interact with antigens, which adds to the complexity of developing therapeutics targeting these interactions. The 3E8 scFv CDR mutants were developed based on Kabat numbering scheme and through alanine scanning, to assess biochemical properties. Mutants’ functions were evaluated via dot blots and surface-plasmon resonance (SPR) assays and structurally defined by thermostability melts and X-ray crystallography. Based on analysis of the 3E8 scFv, current numbering schemes cannot predict all crucial residues, and some identified residues were unessential for binding. Only heavy chain CDR loops were observed to be critical for binding, specifically HCDR3, as mutations in this loop lead to significant decrease in binding ability. HCDR2 was identified as a target for further optimization studies as single point mutations in this loop were well tolerated. Single point CDR mutants highlighted a precise side pocket for antibody binding that was not accurately identified by sequence databases. These findings underscore the critical role of heavy chain CDRs, in antibody binding affinity and specificity, highlighting the need for refined numbering schemes to enhance the development of immune therapeutics. Further research into glycan-binding antibodies is needed to better understand their mechanisms and improve therapeutic strategies targeting glycan antigens.No embargoAcademic Major: Biochemistr

Examining Decision-Making and Effect on Depression Scores Among Parents of Seriously Ill Infants Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Background: Over 500,000 infants are admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) annually in the United States. NICU admissions are stressful for families, making decision-making about infant care challenging. Methods: Parents of infants in a large Midwestern NICU were enrolled in a prospective, longitudinal study within the first week of hospitalization and followed for up to 12 weeks. Weekly surveys assessed whether parents felt they had made medical decisions, factors considered in decision-making, treatment goals, agreement levels with partners and healthcare teams, and distress levels. Results: 76 mothers and 53 fathers of 79 infants participated. Mothers reported higher decision-making levels than fathers. Initially, about 50% of parents felt they had decided on their infant's care, decreasing to 35% of mothers and 12% of fathers over time. Most parents reported high agreement with partners and healthcare teams, but over 10% showed significant discrepancies. Key decision-making factors included doing what was best for the infant and considering future quality of life. During weeks when decisions were made, parents’ scores increased with a subset reporting moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Understanding parental decision-making patterns in NICUs is crucial, as it relates to increased parental distress. In September 2024, the U.S. Surgeon General emphasized parent mental health as a national priority. Interventions supporting parental decision-making are needed to mitigate negative effects on parent distress. This study highlights the complexities of parental decision-making in NICUs and underscores the need for targeted support to improve outcomes for both infants and parents during this challenging time.A three-year embargo was granted for this item.Academic Major: Nursin