The development and characterization of miniature spectrometers for measuring the redox status of environmental samples

A spectrometer, here denoted a Simple, Low-power, Inexpensive. Microcontroller-based or SLIM spectrometer. was developed that exploits the small size and low cost of solid-state electronic devices. This approach results in customizable spectrometers that are considerably less expensive and smaller than traditional instrumentation. The performance of the SLIM spectrometer was evaluated and compared to that of a commercial spectrophotometer. Thionine was the analyte, and the detection limit was ~0.2 micromolar with a 1.5-mm path length flow cell. Another device, here denoted a Sub-surface Probe for the Evaluation of Anaerobic Regions or SPEAR, was also developed. The SPEAR is inserted directly into the ground or sediment and automatically records depth-resolved redox information in real time. The device is based on membrane sampling devices or "peepers" that allow subsurface samples to be collected without changing the redox speciation of sensitive species. Miniature spectrometers incorporated in the probe measure the absorbance of the redox indicators immobilized on clear membranes to track the redox status in situ. The device was tested with the redox indicator thionine in a waterlogged soil in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The reducing region of the pore water was observed over a two and a half week period in late March. A device for monitoring the absorbance of an immobilized redox indicator, in direct contact with a sample inside a transparent microcosm bottle or hioreactor, through the wall of the enclosure has been developed. In this device, denoted as Spectrometer for Non-invasive Anaerobic Reflectance Evaluation or SNARE, the indicator is immobilized in a film or membrane, which is attached to a circular magnet. This disk is placed inside the laboratory vessel, and reductants or oxidants in the solution interact with the immobilized indicator causing a change in its color. Another magnet, imbedded in the external probe, attracts this disc to the side of the container and aligns the probe and disc in the proper orientation. The operation of this device was demonstrated with the redox indicator thionine to determine the redox status of a sample containing an enriched culture in which the anaerobic degradation of chlorinated ethenes was occurring

Natural Toxins for Use in Pest Management

Natural toxins are a source of new chemical classes of pesticides, as well as environmentally and toxicologically safer molecules than many of the currently used pesticides. Furthermore, they often have molecular target sites that are not exploited by currently marketed pesticides. There are highly successful products based on natural compounds in the major pesticide classes. These include the herbicide glufosinate (synthetic phosphinothricin), the spinosad insecticides, and the strobilurin fungicides. These and other examples of currently marketed natural product-based pesticides, as well as natural toxins that show promise as pesticides from our own research are discussed

Regulation of the energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase by antigen receptor and Ca2+ in T lymphocytes

The adenosine monophosphate (AMP)–activated protein kinase (AMPK) has a crucial role in maintaining cellular energy homeostasis. This study shows that human and mouse T lymphocytes express AMPKα1 and that this is rapidly activated in response to triggering of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR). TCR stimulation of AMPK was dependent on the adaptors LAT and SLP76 and could be mimicked by the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ with Ca2+ ionophores or thapsigargin. AMPK activation was also induced by energy stress and depletion of cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP). However, TCR and Ca2+ stimulation of AMPK required the activity of Ca2+–calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinases (CaMKKs), whereas AMPK activation induced by increased AMP/ATP ratios did not. These experiments reveal two distinct pathways for the regulation of AMPK in T lymphocytes. The role of AMPK is to promote ATP conservation and production. The rapid activation of AMPK in response to Ca2+ signaling in T lymphocytes thus reveals that TCR triggering is linked to an evolutionally conserved serine kinase that regulates energy metabolism. Moreover, AMPK does not just react to cellular energy depletion but also anticipates it

Prospectus, March 11, 1976

TUITION COULD GO UP: STATE CUTS EDUCATION $; Schorr to speak?; PC news in brief: Breaker good buddy, SSU and EIU here, Health Fair March 23, 24; First time ever: President Ford comes to C-U; Students; Letters to the Editor: She is the one, What is Stu-Go?; Primaries next Tuesday; Petition to start; Use this coupon; Krigbaum Billiard Ace; McCabe, Williams honored; Three sophs awarded scholarships; Faculty Senate votes on Mid-Term grades; Vinyl Love: Run with the pack; Senate stays scholarship cuts; Scouffas joins Mugs ; Dear Bonnie; Ping Pong; Applications available; Parkland offers care course; Sign language; Ron Chrastka midnight-three; Edlefsen takes first; Interns to aid; Parkland night; Woodard V.P.; Game Tourney; Award Letter; Historical needlework: Bicentennial tapestry; Scholarships available; Respiratory Therapy: Programs approved; Skylines: Comet West; Burn your draft card, no lottery; Psych lunch and lecture; Theta raffle; Classifieds; Sports Views: Amateur - Professional; Cobra\u27s Corner: Blackie Blackwell comes to Parkland; Bouncing Bob\u27s Basketball Bonanza; Reed predicts: Our pitching is going to be strong! ; Jay Ogden All-American; Cagers Honored; Four starters to return: Women finish fifth in statehttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1976/1020/thumbnail.jp

Sampling nucleotide diversity in cotton

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cultivated cotton is an annual fiber crop derived mainly from two perennial species, <it>Gossypium hirsutum </it>L. or upland cotton, and <it>G. barbadense </it>L., extra long-staple fiber Pima or Egyptian cotton. These two cultivated species are among five allotetraploid species presumably derived monophyletically between <it>G. arboreum </it>and <it>G. raimondii</it>. Genomic-based approaches have been hindered by the limited variation within species. Yet, population-based methods are being used for genome-wide introgression of novel alleles from <it>G. mustelinum </it>and <it>G. tomentosum </it>into <it>G. hirsutum </it>using combinations of backcrossing, selfing, and inter-mating. Recombinant inbred line populations between genetics standards TM-1, (<it>G. hirsutum</it>) × 3-79 (<it>G. barbadense</it>) have been developed to allow high-density genetic mapping of traits.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This paper describes a strategy to efficiently characterize genomic variation (SNPs and indels) within and among cotton species. Over 1000 SNPs from 270 loci and 279 indels from 92 loci segregating in <it>G. hirsutum </it>and <it>G. barbadense </it>were genotyped across a standard panel of 24 lines, 16 of which are elite cotton breeding lines and 8 mapping parents of populations from six cotton species. Over 200 loci were genetically mapped in a core mapping population derived from TM-1 and 3-79 and in <it>G. hirsutum </it>breeding germplasm.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this research, SNP and indel diversity is characterized for 270 single-copy polymorphic loci in cotton. A strategy for SNP discovery is defined to pre-screen loci for copy number and polymorphism. Our data indicate that the A and D genomes in both diploid and tetraploid cotton remain distinct from each such that paralogs can be distinguished. This research provides mapped DNA markers for intra-specific crosses and introgression of exotic germplasm in cotton.</p

Real time monitoring of glucose in whole blood by smartphone

A combined thread-paper microfluidic device (μTPAD) is presented for the determination of glucose in blood. The device is designed to include all the analytical operations needed: red blood cell separation, conditioning, enzymatic recognition, and colorimetric transduction. The signal is captured with a smartphone or tablet working in video mode and processed by custom Android-based software in real-time. The automatic detection of the region of interest on the thread allows for the use of either initial rate or equilibrium signal as analytical parameters. The time needed for analysis is 12 s using initial rate, and 100 s using the equilibrium measurement with a LOD of 48 μM and 12 μM, respectively, and a precision around 7%. The μTPAD allows a rapid de- termination of glucose in real samples using only 3 μL of whole blood.This study was supported by the CTQ2016-78754-C2-1-R project from the Spanish MINEC

Thread based microfluidic platform for urinary creatinine analysis

Creatinine level in urine is a key factor to monitor kidney performance. The use of an alternative microfluidic platform based on cellulose substrates is an interesting option to integrate sample treatment, creatinine re- cognition by ionophore extraction chemistry and quantification by color measurement through consumer electronics imaging devices. The inclusion of ionophore extraction chemistry based on aryl-substituted calix[4] pyrrole synthetic receptor on 8.7 mm long cotton thread permit the sample treatment, optical recognition of creatinine and their quantification by smartphone running app in unfiltered urine samples diluted 1:100 ratio. The device shows a short response time, 30 s, to creatinine over a wide dynamic range (from 1.6× 10 6 to 5 10–2 M) with precision between 2.9–4.3%. The low interference level of representative species in urine is studied and justified by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.“Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad” under Project CTQ2016-78754-C2-1-

Public Health Forward: Modernizing the U.S. Public Health System

Public Health Forward: Modernizing the U.S. Public Health System defines a vision for a modernized public health system in the 21st century and provides a framework of practical, prioritized, and bipartisan actions for policymakers and public health officials to guide strategic investments and decision-making to help translate the vision into a reality with a focus on equity. The federal government continues to provide critical leadership and funding to navigate the current pandemic and has a responsibility to make significant investments and changes in public health for the post-pandemic future. Long-term, increased, sustainable funding and policy leadership from the federal government will be crucial to support this five-year vision, framework, and set of actions, as most public health departments are concerned over their funding levels, notwithstanding the recent infusion of money

Multiwavelength Observations of A0620-00 in Quiescence

[Abridged.] We present multiwavelength observations of the black hole binary system, A0620-00. Using the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope, we have obtained the first FUV spectrum of A0620-00. The observed spectrum is flat in the FUV and very faint (with continuum fluxes \simeq 1e - 17 ergs/cm^2/s/A). We compiled the dereddened, broadband spectral energy distribution of A0620-00 and compared it to previous SEDs as well as theoretical models. The SEDs show that the source varies at all wavelengths for which we have multiple samples. Contrary to previous observations, the optical-UV spectrum does not continue to drop to shorter wavelengths, but instead shows a recovery and an increasingly blue spectrum in the FUV. We created an optical-UV spectrum of A0620-00 with the donor star contribution removed. The non-stellar spectrum peaks at \simeq3000 {\deg}A. The peak can be fit with a T=10,000 K blackbody with a small emitting area, probably originating in the hot spot where the accretion stream impacts the outer disk. However, one or more components in addition to the blackbody are needed to fit the FUV upturn and the red optical fluxes in the optical-UV spectrum. By comparing the mass accretion rate determined from the hot spot luminosity to the mean accretion rate inferred from the outburst history, we find that the latter is an order of magnitude smaller than the former, indicating that \sim90% of the accreted mass must be lost from the system if the predictions of the disk instability model and the estimated interoutburst interval are correct. The mass accretion rate at the hot spot is 10^5 the accretion rate at the black hole inferred from the X-ray luminosity. To reconcile these requires that outflows carry away virtually all of the accreted mass, a very low rate of mass transfer from the outer cold disk into the inner hot region, and/or radiatively inefficient accretion.Comment: ApJ, accepte

In Vitro Evaluation of Essential Oils and Saturated Fatty Acids for Repellency against the Old-World Sand Fly, Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) (Diptera: Psychodidae)

The sand fly, Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli, 1786), is a major vector for Leishmania major in the Middle East, which has impacted human health and US military operations in the area, demonstrating the need to develop effective sand fly control and repellent options. Here, we report the results of spatial repellency and avoidance experiments in a static air olfactometer using the female P. papatasi testing essential oils of Lippia graveolens (Mexican oregano), Pimenta dioica (allspice), Amyris balsamifera (amyris), Nepeta cataria (catnip), Mentha piperita (peppermint), and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree); the 9–12 carbon saturated fatty acids (nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, and dodecanoic acid); and the synthetic repellents DEET and IR3535. The materials applied at 1% exhibited varying activity levels but were not significantly different in mean repellency and avoidance from DEET and IR3535, except in regards to nonanoic acid. Some materials, particularly nonanoic and undecanoic acids, produced sand fly mortality. The observed trends in mean repellency over exposure time included the following: (1) P. dioica oil, M. alternifolia oil, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, DEET, and IR3535 exhibited increasing mean repellency over time; (2) oils of N. cataria, A. balsamifera, M. piperita, and dodecanoic acid exhibited relatively constant mean repellency over time; and (3) L. graveolens oil and nonanoic acid exhibited a general decrease in mean repellent activity over time. These studies identified the essential oils of N. cataria and A. balsamifera as effective spatial repellents at reduced concentrations compared to those of DEET. Additional research is required to elucidate the modes of action and potential synergism of repellents and essential oil components for enhanced repellency activity.This article is published as Temeyer, Kevin B., Kristie G. Schlechte, Joel R. Coats, Charles L. Cantrell, Rodrigo Rosario-Cruz, Kimberly H. Lohmeyer, Adalberto A. Pérez de León, and Andrew Y. Li. 2024. "In Vitro Evaluation of Essential Oils and Saturated Fatty Acids for Repellency against the Old-World Sand Fly, Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) (Diptera: Psychodidae)" Insects 15, no. 3: 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15030155. Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted