Living Environment Field Trips in Wyoming and Genesee Counties, New York

The purpose of field trips is to engage students in hands on or real world learning opportunities. Science fairs and field trips are two examples of how students can experience out of classroom activities. Through these activities, students may understand or practice an aspect of a topic as experienced in the real world, outside of the school setting (Tal, et. al., 2014); exploring skills and physical beings, having discussions with historians or scientists, and synthesizing or analyzing information (Rohlf, 2015). Especially in science, new technology and knowledge is ever changing. Field trips allow students to practice or use technology that many schools or organizations are unable to purchase for student use. Many students’ families cannot provide or support students’ learning by taking them to outside learning events or activities (DeSouza, 2016). Through expeditionary learning, or field trips, that are available to students in school or through after school programs, all students are able to experience how individuals of all races and backgrounds can work together to form a successful scientific environment. By having students attend field trips, they not only are learning about science, but are practicing other life skills such as communication (Bozdogan, 2012). Students not only need to communicate with each other during tasks or about observations, but often need to communicate teachers or research guides. Communication skills are essential for all students whether they enter the science field after the completion of high school or not. Furthermore, field trips allow students to pursue areas of interest and may influence their entrance into the STEM field post- high school (Schmidt & Kelter, 2017). Field trips allow students to experience aspects of learning that are not able to be practiced in the classroom setting (Rohlf, 2015). Although all of the aforementioned are beneficial for students and their learning, field trips are often still questioned for their integrity. Learning, balanced with fun, is the basis of the concern; do students actually learn on field trips or does the fun atmosphere overtake student learning

Antimicrobial activity of Enterococcus faecium FAIR-E 198 against gram-positive pathogens

This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of Enterococcus faecium FAIR-E 198 against Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Using the critical-dilution method, the bacteriocin produced by E. faecium FAIR-E 198 inhibited all L. monocytogenes strains evaluated (1,600 to 19,200 AU mL-1). However, none of the B. cereus and S. aureus strains investigated were inhibited. The maximum activity of this bacteriocin (800 AU mL-1) was observed in MRS broth, while the activity in milk was 100 AU mL-1. In the co-cultivation test in milk, B. cereus K1-B041 was reduced to below the detection limit (1.00 log CFU mL-1) after 48 h. E. faecium reduced the initial L. monocytogenes Scott A population by 1 log CFU mL-1 after 3 h at 35ºC. However, the pathogen regained growth, reaching 3.68 log CFU mL-1 after 48 h. E. faecium did not influence the growth of S. aureus ATCC 27154 during the 48 h of co-cultivation. Therefore, it can be concluded that the effectiveness of the antimicrobial activity of E. faecium FAIR-E 198 is strictly related to the species and strain of the target microorganism and to the culture medium.7481Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Antimicrobial Activity Of Enterococcus Faecium Fair-e 198 Against Gram-positive Pathogens.

This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of Enterococcus faecium FAIR-E 198 against Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Using the critical-dilution method, the bacteriocin produced by E. faecium FAIR-E 198 inhibited all L. monocytogenes strains evaluated (1,600 to 19,200 AU mL(-1)). However, none of the B. cereus and S. aureus strains investigated were inhibited. The maximum activity of this bacteriocin (800 AU mL(-1)) was observed in MRS broth, while the activity in milk was 100 AU mL(-1). In the co-cultivation test in milk, B. cereus K1-B041 was reduced to below the detection limit (1.00 log CFU mL(-1)) after 48 h. E. faecium reduced the initial L. monocytogenes Scott A population by 1 log CFU mL(-1) after 3 h at 35°C, However, the pathogen regained growth, reaching 3.68 log CFU mL(-1) after 48 h. E. faecium did not influence the growth of S. aureus ATCC 27154 during the 48 h of co-cultivation, Therefore, it can be concluded that the effectiveness of the antimicrobial activity of E. faecium FAIR-E 198 is strictly related to the species and strain of the target microorganism and to the culture medium.4174-8

Quorum sensing em cepas de enterococcus faecium, enterococcus faecalis e bacillus cereus isoladas do processamento de ricota

The quorum sensing phenomenon is a process of intra- and inter-species microbial communication involving the production and detection of extracellular signaling molecules. The autoinducer AI-2 has been proposed to serve as a ‘universal signal’ for interspecies communication. This study aimed to evaluate the capability of Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacillus cereus strains isolated from ricotta processing to produce quorum sensing signalling molecules (AI-2). The strains were evaluated for the presence of the luxS gene using the polymerase chain reaction. AI-2 quorum sensing signalling molecules were measured in relative light units (RLUs) using a luminometer. A total of 74% of E. faecium, 91% of E. faecalis, and 95% of B. cereus isolates were positive for luxS gene. In addition, the induced bioluminescence in Vibrio harveyi BB170 was observed in all strains, indicating the presence of the AI-2 autoinducer482FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP2010/10507-7O fenômeno quorum sensing corresponde a um processo de comunicação intra e interespécies microbianas e é mediado por sinais químicos extracelulares, denominados moléculas sinalizadoras ou auto indutoras (AI). A molécula AI2 está envolvida na comunicação interespécies, denominada sistema “universal” de comunicação. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a capacidade de Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis e Bacillus cereus isolados do processamento de ricota em produzir moléculas sinalizadoras de Quorum sensing (AI-2). Os isolados foram avaliados quanto à presença do gene luxS utilizando a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). As moléculas sinalizadoras (AI-2) foram medidas em unidades relativas de luz (RLU) através de um luminômetro. Um total de 74% dos isolados de E. faecium, 91% de E. faecalis e 95% de B. cereus foram positivos para o gene luxS. Além disso, todos os isolados apresentaram capacidade de induzir o fenômeno de bioluminescência em Vibrio harveyi BB170, indicando a presença de auto indutores AI-

Determination of the growth compatibility between bacteriocinogenic and starter cultures

In addition to being used as food bioconservants, some bacteriocinogenic cultures have been employed to accelerate cheese ripening. However, the compatibility between their growth and starter cultures is essential to obtain the characteristic products. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the growth compatibility between Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis ATCC 11454, Lactobacillus plantarum ALC 01, and Enterococcus faecium FAIR-E 198 and two commercial starter cultures. Initially, the sensibility in vitro of the starter to bacteriocinogenic cultures by an agar well diffusion assay was determined. Only Lc. lactis subsp. lactis ATCC 11454 was able to cause the inhibition of both starters. During the associative growth in milk at 35ºC, the bacteriocinogenic cultures did not affect the lactic acid production due to the starter cultures. Futhermore, the starter cultures provided a significant increase in the activity of pediocina AcH and enterocin FAIR-E 198. They also suppressed the nisin activity. Among all lactic cultures, Lb. plantarum ALC 01 showed the highest aminopeptidase activity (0,226 to 0,390). Therefore, according to these results Lb. plantarum ALC 01 and E. faecium FAIR-E 198 showed growth compatibility characteristics with the starter cultures and thus can be used as adjunct cultures in cheese making.Além da utilização como bioconservantes de alimentos, algumas culturas bacteriocinogênicas estão sendo empregadas para acelerar a maturação de queijos. Porém a compatibilidade de desenvolvimento destas culturas com o fermento láctico é essencial para a obtenção de produtos característicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a compatibilidade de desenvolvimento de Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis ATCC 11454, Lactobacillus plantarum ALC 01 e Enterococcus faecium FAIR-E 198 com duas marcas comerciais de fermentos lácticos. Inicialmente, foi determinada a sensibilidade in vitro dos fermentos às culturas bacteriocinogênicas, somente Lc. lactis subsp. lactis ATCC 11454 foi capaz de promover a inibição de ambos os fermentos. Durante desenvolvimento associativo em leite a 35 ºC, as culturas bacteriocinogênicas não afetaram significativamente a produção de ácido láctico pelos fermentos. Estes, por sua vez proporcionaram aumento significativo da atividade de pediocina AcH e enterocina FAIR-E 198 e supressão da atividade da nisina. Dentre todas as culturas lácticas, Lb. plantarum ALC 01 apresentou a maior atividade de aminopeptidases (0,226 a 0,390). Portanto, baseado nos resultados em questão, Lb. plantarum ALC 01 e E. faecium FAIR-E 198 apresentam características de compatibilidade de desenvolvimento com o fermento mesofílico tipo O para serem empregadas como adjuntas no processamento de queijos.165170Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Environmental contamination and enterotoxigenic profile of Bacillus cereus isolated in food services

Ninety air samples and ninety six samples from benches and equipments surfaces were collected in two food services for investigation of Bacillus cereus contamination sources and characterization of strains toxin profiles. B. cereus was detected in 84.4% and 44.8% from air samples and samples from benches and equipments surfaces, respectively. The potential of enterotoxin production was investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for genes hblA, hblD e hblC (encoding hemolysin BL) and for genes nheA, nheB and nheC (encoding non-hemolytic enterotoxin - NHE). From 70 isolates investigated 14.3% were positive for the three HBL encoding genes and 12.8% were positive for the three NHE encoding genes. The Bacillus Diarrhoeal Enterotoxin Visual Immunoassay (BDE-VIA; Tecra) also was used for NHE detection. The results obtained with BDE-VIA revealed that 61.4% from the 70 strains are NHE producers.A avaliação da contaminação ambiental por Bacillus cereus foi realizada em 90 amostras de ar ambiente e em 96 amostras de superfícies de bancadas e de equipamentos, de dois restaurantes institucionais. O microrganismo foi detectado em 84,4% e 44,8% das amostras de ar ambiente e de superfícies, respectivamente. O potencial enterotoxigênico dos isolados foi investigado através da reação da polimerase em cadeia (PCR) para os genes hblA, hblD e hblC (que codificam a hemolisina BL) e para os genes nheA, nheB e nheC (que codificam a enterotoxina não hemolítica - NHE). De um total de 70 isolados investigados, 14,3% foram positivos para os três genes da HBL e 12,8% foram positivos para os três genes da NHE. A produção de NHE também foi verificada através do Bacillus Diarrhoeal Enterotoxin Visual Immunoassay (kit BDE-VIA; Tecra). Os resultados obtidos com o kit revelaram que 61,4% dos 70 isolados são produtores de NHE.504510Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Comparação dos metodos para determinação das bases nitrogenadas volateis (BNV) em pescado : parametros criticos e modificações

Orientador : Emilio Segundo Contreras GusmanDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos e AgricolaResumo: Este trabalho tratou do estudo dos métodos mais comuns para determinação das bases nitrogenadas voláteis (BNV) em pescado, mediante ensaios de comparação quanto aos teores de BNV em diferentes espécies de peixes, avaliados pelo método de Lucke & Geidel, do Instituto de Fomento Pesqueiro do Chile (IFOP) e IFOP- modificado neste trabalho. Paralelamente, foi investigada a contribuição da hidrólise da uréia, provocada pela etapa de destilação do procedimento analítico, nos teores de BNV em músculo de cação. Foi verificado que os teores de BNV variam conforme a metodologia, a espécie de pescado e o estágio de deterioração. Nos ensaios comparativos dos três métodos para determinação de BNV em diferentes espécies, ao longo da estocagem em gelo, o emprego do método de Lucke & Geidel proporciono àqueles a obtenção de níveis de BNV sempre superiores obtidos com os dois outros métodos. Verificou-se que as bases nitrogenadas voláteis, com o método de Lucke & Geidel, continuavam a ser extrai das do músculo mesmo após 25 minutos de destilação enquanto que, com o método do IFOP, com precipitação preliminar das proteínas, as bases eram destiladas totalmente do extrato de sardinha nos primeiros 5 minutos. As modificações rio método do IFOP, com a substituição de ácido tricloroacético por ácido sulfúrico-sulfato desódio e de óxido de magnésio por Borax, proporcionaram a quantificação de teores de BNV 10% superiores aos do método original, principalmente devido a substituição do ácido tricloroacético. Nos ensaios com soluções puras de uréia e na mistura com extratos de cação a contribuição em nitrogênio amoniacal, proveniente da hidrólise da uréia durante a análise, alcançou níveis de até 49,70% dó total das bases nitrogenadas voláteis dos extratos de músculo de cação. No experimento com filés de sardinha (Sardinella brasiliensis) estocados em gelo, teores iniciais de BNV, obtidos com os métodos de Lucke & Geidel, IFOP e IFOP- modificado, foram de 15,37, 8,46 e 9,98 mg, respectivamente. Essas diferenças diminuíram com o avanço da deterioração chegando quase a se anular após 30 dias de estocagem. Comportamento semelhante foi observado nos ensaios relativos a sardinha inteira e tilápia ( Tilapia sp.) De uma maneira geral a evolução de BNV, em postas de cação, em função do tempo de estocagem em gelo, mostrou um comportamento exponencial. Pelo método de Lucke & Geidel os valores de BNV foram de 54,14 mg, nos 1° dia, e 361,42 mg, no l1°dia. Em peixes de água doce, tilápia e curimbatá ( Prochilodus sp.) a evolução de BNV procedeu de forma lenta durante a estocagem. Pelo método de Lucke & Geidel, os teores de BNV para a tilápia foram de 21,32 mg, nos 1° dia, contra 32,56 mg no 21° dia e para o curimbatá de 18,52 mg, no 1° dia, e 20,65 mg no 11° diaAbstract: The objective of this work was to investigate and compare the methods of Lucke & Geidel, Instituto de Fomento Pesqueiro do Chile (IFOP) and IFOP modified in this study for determination of volatile nitrogen bases (VNB) in different species of fish. At the same time, it was studied the effect of hydrolysis of urea, caused by the distillation step, on the VNB value of dogfish flesh. It was shown that the VNB values were dependent on the methodology used for analysis, species of fish and storage time on ice. Comparison among the three methods reveled, regardless of the species, that the method of Lucke & Geidel gave higher VNB values than both the IFOP and the modified IFOP. Studies on the evolution of volati e nitrogen bases by the method of Lucke & Geide1 showed that these compounds continued to be distilled after 25 minutes of distillation. When the IFOP method was used, with previous protein precipitation, the VNB were completely distilled after 5 minutes. In the IFOP method, the substitution of trichloroacetic acid by sulfuric acid (2,5%) -sodium sulphate (7,5%) and magnesium oxide by a satured solution of Borax caused an increase of 10% in the VNB values. This increase was mainly due to TCA replacement. Model studies with pure urea solution and mixture of this solution with dogfish extracts revealed that the hydrolysis of urea during the procedure contributed up 49,70% of the total VNB of the extract. This hydrolysis was caused by distillation in alkaline medium. The initial values of VNB in sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis) fillets stored on ice, determined by the Lucke & Geidel, IFOP and modified IFOP methods, were 15,37, 8,46 mg and 9,98 mg, respectively. These differences creased with time and were not significant after 30 days storage. This behaviour was similar for whole sardines tilápia (Tilapia sp.). Regardless of the method, during the storage on ice the production VNB of dogfish slices increased in an exponentia1 manner. The Lucke & Geidel method gave values VNB of 54,14 mg and 361,42 in the 1st and 11th days of storage, respectively. In freshwater fish, tilapia and curimbatá (Prochilodus sp.) the production of VNB during the storage on ice increased slowly. The Lucke & Geidel method gave va1ues of VNB, for tilápia, of 21,32 mg and 32,56 mg in the 1st and 21st day of storage, respectively. The VNB values, for curimbatá, in the 1st and 11th day of storage were 18,52mg and 20,65 mg, respectively .MestradoMestre em Tecnologia de Alimento