The effect of 3D printing speed and temperature on transferability of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli during 3D food printing

The current study aimed to determine if the 3D-printing speed and temperature would impact the transferability of foodborne pathogens from the stainless-steel (SS) food cartridge to the 3D-printed food ink. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were inoculated onto the interior surface of the SS food cartridges. Subsequently, a model food ink was extruded with a recommended macronutrient contribution of 55.8, 23.7, and 20.5% of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat, respectively. The impact of 3D-printing temperatures and speeds on transfer rates was analysed using a Two-Way ANOVA. S. aureus was transferred more from the cartridge to the food ink with a population of 3.39, 2.98, and 3.09 log CFU/g compared to 2.03, 2.06, and 2.00 log CFU/g for E. coli at 2000, 3000, and 4000 mm/s printing speed, respectively, at 25 °C. A Kruskal-Wallis Test was employed to investigate the effect of different speeds and temperatures on the transferability of S. aureus and E. coli. Speed was the main factor affecting S. aureus transferability, while temperature (25 and 50 °C) had the greatest impact on E. coli transferability. This research seeks to advance the understanding of 3D-printing parameters in pathogen transferability and help the food industry move towards this technology's quick and safe adoption

The distribution of selected localized alien plant species in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.Prior to this study, the alien plant control program at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park was hampered by the paucity and quality of alien plant distribution maps. A systematic program to map important localized alien plants was conducted 1983-1985 to determine the need and feasibility of controlling key alien plant species, establish a baseline for assessing the spread of these species, infer range expansions, locate all populations of a target species to assure thorough treatment, and assess the effectiveness of control programs. Thirty-six species were mapped, with emphasis given to localized alien plant species and those listed as target species in the 1982 Resources Management Plan (National Park Service 1982). The studies focused on Ainahou Ranch, Kilauea Crater, and the Coastal Lowlands west of the 1%9-1974 Mauna Ulu flows. The species distributions were mapped on topographic maps at 1:24,000, 1:12,000, or 1:6,000 scales, although most species are displayed in this report on smaller scale maps. In addition, species profiles are provided. These characterize importance to management, significance as a pest in native ecosystems, effective treatment methods, and history of management. There were two important findings from the distribution studies. Eleven species, previously not targeted for management, were identified from mapping efforts to be invasive and require control efforts. These are Formosan koa, slash pine, loquat, sisal, orange pittosporum, oleaster, English ivy, paperbark, blackwood acacia, kudzu, and guavasteen. The second finding is that five target species were found to be much more widespread than previously thought. These include silky oak, koa haole, fountain grass, Russian olive, and raspberry. This finding lead to an approach in which control efforts on widespread species were carried out only in intensive management units called Special Ecological Areas. Additional distribution mapping studies are recommended for widespread species.National Park Service Contract No. CA 8004 2 000

Telomerase inhibition is an effective therapeutic strategy in TERT promoter mutant-glioblastoma models with low tumor volume

Background Glioblastoma is one of the most lethal forms of cancer, with 5-year survival rates of only 6%. Glioblastoma-targeted therapeutics have been challenging to develop due to significant inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. Telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERT) promoter mutations are the most common known clonal oncogenic mutations in glioblastoma. Telomerase is therefore considered to be a promising therapeutic target against this tumor. However, an important limitation of this strategy is that cell death does not occur immediately after telomerase ablation, but rather after several cell divisions required to reach critically short telomeres. We, therefore, hypothesize that telomerase inhibition would only be effective in glioblastomas with low tumor burden. Methods We used CRISPR interference to knock down TERT expression in TERT promoter-mutant glioblastoma cell lines and patient-derived models. We then measured viability using serial proliferation assays. We also assessed for features of telomere crisis by measuring telomere length and chromatin bridge formation. Finally, we used a doxycycline-inducible CRISPR interference system to knock down TERT expression in vivo early and late in tumor development. Results Upon TERT inactivation, glioblastoma cells lose their proliferative ability over time and exhibit telomere shortening and chromatin bridge formation. In vivo, survival is only prolonged when TERT knockdown is induced shortly after tumor implantation, but not when the tumor burden is high. Conclusions Our results support the idea that telomerase inhibition would be most effective at treating glioblastomas with low tumor burden, for example in the adjuvant setting after surgical debulking and chemoradiation

Composition of woody species in a dynamic forest-woodland-savannah mosaic in Uganda: implications for conservation and management

Forest¿woodland¿savannah mosaics are a common feature in the East African landscape. For the conservation of the woody species that occur in such landscapes, the species patterns and the factors that maintain it need to be understood. We studied the woody species distribution in a forest¿woodland¿savannah mosaic in Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda. The existing vegetation gradients were analyzed using data from a total of 591 plots of 400 or 500 m2 each. Remotely sensed data was used to explore current vegetation cover and the gradients there in for the whole area. A clear species gradient exists in the study area ranging from forest, where there is least disturbance, to wooded grassland, where frequent fire disturbance occurs. Most species are not limited to a specific part of the gradient although many show a maximum abundance at some point along the gradient. Fire and accessibility to the protected area were closely related to variation in species composition along the ordination axis with species like Cynometra alexandri and Uvariopsis congensis occurring at one end of the gradient and Combretum guenzi and Lonchocarpus laxiflorus at the other. The vegetation cover classes identified in the area differed in diversity, density and, especially, basal area. All vegetation cover classes, except open woodland, had indicator species. Diospyros abyssinica, Uvariopsis congensis, Holoptelea grandis and all Celtis species were the indicator species for the forest class, Terminalia velutina and Albizia grandbracteata for closed woodland, Grewia mollis and Combretum mole for very open woodland and Lonchocarpus laxiflorus, Grewia bicolor and Combretum guenzi for the wooded grassland class. Eleven of the species occurred in all cover classes and most of the species that occurred in more than one vegetation cover class showed peak abundance in a specific cover class. Species composition in the study area changes gradually from forest to savannah. Along the gradient, the cover classes are distinguishable in terms of species composition and vegetation structure. These classes are, however, interrelated in species composition. For conservation of the full range of the species within this East African landscape, the mosaic has to be managed as an integrated whole. Burning should be varied over the area with the forest not being burnt at all and the wooded grassland burnt regularly. The different vegetation types that occur between these two extremes should be maintained using a varied fire regim

Glyphosate in the control of kikuyugrass, and its effects on associated native and nonnative plants in Hawaiian National Parks

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.Kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum) is an important range and pasture fodder grass in Hawaii, but is also a troublesome weed invading Hawaiian National Park Service areas. Kikuyugrass growth is significantly reduced by 0.05% Roundup (0.0205% glyphosate). This grass is eradicated (except for escapes shielded from spray contact in the matted grass) by 0.5% or greater concentrations. Sensitivities of other nonnative and of native plants associated with kikuyugrass varied according to the species, extent of coverage plant size, and herbicide concentration. Selectivity against kikuyugrass while preserving most associated native species was generally possible with 0.5 to 1% Roundup, especially if care is taken in application to avoid undue exposure to native plants. Control of kikuyugrass with glyphosate in natural areas is therefore a feasible and practical management approach

High school church youth groups: Growth and decline

Empirically, much is now known about the comparative capacities of religious denominations in American society in retaining the life-long allegiances of their member\u27s children. Researchers have considered a plethora of variables, such as family, peers, and the religious beliefs of the young, and studied their impact on commitment. The present study, however, is not focused on individual young people and their religiosity. It is about religious youth groups . Thus, the unit of analysis and my theoretical framework cannot reside solely in theories of religious socialization, though their insights are valuable. Here, the varying size of high school church youth groups is the dependent variable. The independent variables are of the kind appropriate for the study of any religious organization or, for that matter, any institution. Contextual, Programmatic, and Leadership variables stem from their respective environmental, institutional, and human resource schools of organizational theory. My specific research questions are: (1) What factors are associated with the growth and what factors are associated with the decline in senior high church youth groups? and (2) Of these factors, what is their relative importance? In Spring 1998 a survey was completed by 536 youth pastors in the four evangelical Protestant denominations. Data available from denominational records was also included in the analysis. Thirteen of the 33 variables are longitudinal in nature, reflecting measures of change from 1995 to 1997. Zero order correlations and multiple regression are performed first for each variable set, and finally for the significant variables all together. Twelve variables remained significant and are included in this final analysis. Results and discussion include implications of this research for theory related to social capital and to communitarian perspectives. Included in the appendices is a qualitative description of three church youth groups that illustrate both the variables operationalized in the study, as well as theoretical linkages

Herbicidal control of selected alien plant species in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: a preliminary report

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.Herbicide tests were conducted between April 1984 and June 1986 on 7 species of alien plants which have been classified as current or potential threats to native ecosystems within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The study was designed to be an initial series of tests to develop effective treatment techniques and to gather some baseline information on the effects of herbicides on native flora. Highly effective treatments were found for Russian olive (Linociera lisustrina) (TORDON RTU on cut stumps) and for both species of silky oak (Grevillea banksii and g. robusta) (2.5% GARLON 4 in diesel oil applied in continuous frill cuts). No hazards to native plants were detected. Treatments for glorybush (Tibouchina urvilleana) (20% GARLON 4 in diesel oil on cut stumps) and yellow Himalayan raspberry (Rubus ellipticus) (40% GARLON 4 in a foliar drizzle spray and 20% TORDON 22K in water on cut stumps) appeared effective: however, further testing is necessary to refine treatments, verify results, and further assess potential harm to native plant species. Kahili ginger (Hedychium sardnerianum) was effectively controlled with TORDON 1OX pellets; however, further testing is warranted for several reasons. A 2% foliar spray of ROUNDUP in water was not completely effective on blackberry (Rubus arsutus), but it did provide a good measure of control and would be useful in selected situations. Further testing on blackberry is necessary to increase treatment effectiveness and to evaluate other treatments. We recommend continued modest emphasis on herbicide research in Hawai'i's native ecosystems to: increase treatment effectiveness on these and other problem plants: evaluate the effects of retreatment regimes: increase knowledge of hazards to native plants and animals: broaden the range of safe chemical tools needed to integrate herbicides with other methods of ecosystem restoration: monitor operational herbicide programs for efficacy and cost effectiveness: increase long-term monitoring of treatment effects in selected areas; and determine and enhance responsible management programs in near-native ecosystems.National Park Service Contract No. CA 8004 2 000

The Relationship between Student Performance in a First Year Agriculture Course and Pass at Advanced Level: The Case of Plant Biology at the University of Zimbabwe

The threat of cuts in government funding to state universities in Zimbabwe has meant that the state-funded universities must start reviewing ways in which to raise their own revenue. One option is to increase the number of students, which in many cases means lowering the entrance qualifications of degree programmes. In 2001, the University of Zimbabwe doubled the intake into first year at the request of the government. An analysis of one affected course, Plant Biology of the first year of the BSc Honours in Agriculture Degree, was carried out due to the high failure rate (39%). There was also a failure rate of 44% for those students with less than 8 points at A-Level and a failure rate of 32% for those with 8 or more points at A-Level. This was significant using α = 0.10 (p = 0.051). When the pass in Advanced Level Biology was examined, it was found that there was a significant decrease in the average pass mark for students that had less than a 'C' in Advanced Level Biology (p = 0.001). It is recommended that the grade of 'C' or better for Advanced Level Biology should not be changed. For students that registered after the beginning of the semester, there was a decrease in their overall marks for the course (p = 0.017). It is recommended that students who register late should be given make-up lectures, practicals and assignments

Early succession in pig-disturbed mountain parkland: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.Prior to their eradication in 1987, feral pigs (Sus scrofa) were a common source of ground disturbance in the mountain parkland ecosystem of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, especially in grasslands. In 1985-1986, 27, 2x5m plots were established in 9 open, grassy sites recently damaged by pigs. No pig digging occurred after the plots were initially established. The purpose of monitoring vegetation changes was to evaluate the efficacy of pig control in promoting community recovery and to detect any changes that might need further management intervention. Percent cover of plants was determined by point-intercept methods, and woody plants were counted in height classes in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, and 1992. The 27 plots were stratified into 5 plant communities based on a Braun-Blanquet analysis of surrounding vegetation, and successional changes were graphed. Deschampsia nubigena, a native bunchgrass, consistently increased in cover in most communities where it was originally a dominant or codominant species in surrounding vegetation. It did not increase in cover where it was initially a minor component. These trends suggest that Deschampsia will continue to increase in importance. Velvet grass (Holcus lanatus), the main competitor with Deschampsia in mid and upper elevation sites, recovered rapidly at first but generally declined from its maximum cover after 2-4 years. However, Holcus cover may be stable at upper elevation sites where it was dominant prior to disturbance. In lower and mid elevation sites, Holcus species may continue to decline in importance, while other alien grass species, e.g., sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum ordoratum) and beardgrass (Schizachyrium condensatum), show signs of becoming more abundant. There was some recruitment of native shrubs in the disturbed areas, especially at lower elevations. Koa (Acacia koa), a root-sprouting, clonal tree in the study area, invaded many sites. The continued expansion of koa colonies may, at least locally, be more ecologically important than competition between Deschampsia and alien grasses.National Park Service Cooperative Agreement CA 8007 2 900