Effects of warming on decomposition of submerged plant litter and associated microorganisms in streamside channels

Surface air temperatures are predicted to increase in the near future, which will likely affect microbial activity and carbon flow in stream ecosystems. I performed an experiment in streamside channels at Coweeta Hydrological Laboratory, NC to assess responses of litter-associated microorganisms to moderate increases in water temperature (5 levels, ambient to +4°C). The objectives of the experiment were to determine: (1) if there are differences in the magnitude of responses to temperature among various microbial parameters and (2) whether microbial responses to temperature vary among plant litter of different carbon quality. Thus, I measured litter decomposition rate, fungal biomass (ergosterol), fungal growth rate, fungal and bacterial production (radiolabeled tracers) and microbial respiration associated with submerged decaying Acer rubrum and Rhododendron maximum leaf litter, Quercus alba wood and Liquidambar styraciflua leaf litter grown at ambient and elevated CO2 levels. Fungal growth rate and microbial respiration responded to temperature increases in a similar way and were highly sensitive to warming at relatively low water temperatures, while litter decomposition rate tended to be less sensitive. Estimates of temperature sensitivity of microbial parameters (apparent activation energy) were greater (often ca. 1 eV) than those typically reported for respiratory complex (ca. 0.65 eV). Temperature increases affected microbial activity onsubstrates of different carbon quality in a similar way. Under the current climate change predictions these trends portend important implications for the future of stream ecosystems, since microbial activity tends to be more sensitive to temperature changes during the coldest season (autumn-winter) when leaf litter standing stock and associated microbial activity are at their peak

West Virginia Libraries 2018 Vol.71 No.4

July/August 2018 edition of the West Virginia Libraries newsletter

Artificial Organs: SynCardia Heart

With an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, heart transplants are on the rise. As a result, the need for donor hearts exceeds current availability. To care for heart failure patients, healthcare professionals have developed the SynCardia total artificial heart. This article explains the artificial heart and its implementation into clinical practice

West Virginia Libraries 2018 Vol.71 No.2

July/August 2018 edition of the West Virginia Libraries newsletter

SimAngus Crossbreeding Proposal

The purpose of this project is to develop a proposal for a crossbreeding plan specifically oriented towards a Central Valley beef producer interested in SimAngus cattle. In this project you will find information pertaining to the Simmental, Angus and SimAngus breeds, as well as industry goals and possible outcomes. This was designed in order to create tangible evidence and information, such a pamphlet/brochure, for the producer to evaluate; in hopes that the beef producer will implement this crossbreeding plan

A novel pH-sensitive interferon-β oral delivery system using electrospray/spin for application in multiple sclerosis - A Chemical Investigation

Nanofibers provide revolutionary means for drug delivery. pH-sensitive nanofibers will be fabricated, using electro spraying or electrospinning, and will be prepared using trimethyl-chitosan (TMC), poly(ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA) by free radical suspension polymerization, for the oral delivery of interferon-β (INF-β) as a method drug dosage form for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The nanofibers will be subsequently compressed into a suitable dosage form. The prepared copolymeric nanofiber system will be characterized for its morphological and mucoadhesive properties. This research will support current scientific efforts to identify a “best-practice” method for preventing the regression of multiple sclerosis