Standard Protocols for the 3 MST Markers Evaluated

This protocol outlines the procedure developed for the EPA Gulf of Mexico grant to Harwood, Lepo and Wang to process environmental water samples via DNA extraction from membrane filters. DNA is then used in PCR-based microbial source tracking assays for human-associated Bacteroides (HBac), M. smithii (Msmithii) and human polyomavirus BK and JC (HPyVs) targets

Year 2 Report

This report covers the project from the end of the preliminary year 1 report, May 31, 2008 through May 31, 2009

Project Overview

The overarching goal of this study is to identify useful method(s) for detecting human sewage pollution in Gulf of Mexico waters and to produce protocols that are readily transferable across laboratories (standard operating procedures), such that these microbial source tracking methods can be used by laboratories across the Gulf of Mexico states. This project is a collaborative effort among several universities, including the University of South Florida, University of West Florida and University of Southern Mississippi (co‐principal investigators) as well as Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University at El Paso and Nicholls State University (collaborators)

Year 1 Report

This report covers the project from its inception (08/03/07) through May 2008

Year 3 Final Report

This report covers the project from the end of the preliminary year 2 report, June 1, 2009 through August 31, 2010. It also provides a synopsis of the accomplishments for the duration of the grant (3 years)

Cloud tracking in cloud-resolving models

In recent years Cloud Resolving Models (CRMs) have become an increasingly important tool for the study of convective phenomena. CRMs should not be regarded as simply providing surrogates for observations; rather