Optimization of Acid Production in Food Waste via Anaerobic Respiration

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, one third of all food produced in world is wasted; 1.63 * 109 metric tons of nutrition is lost to transportation, contamination, or neglect every year (FAO 2013). This wasted food, however, could be repurposed as a substrate for microbial conversion into useful chemicals. This research is aimed at finding the optimal conditions for bacterial colonies to generate volatile fatty acids (VFAs): resources that are used as solvents, medicines, and chemical intermediates usually generated from petroleum based resources (Drumright et al., 2000) (Roscher 2000) (Kolt et al., 2007). An empirical approach was applied to determine the optimal conditions for VFA production from food waste. In total, five different batches of food waste were inoculated with primary sludge and incubated in continuously stirred bioreactors while pH, temperature, organic loading rate, and retention time was controlled. Lactic acid was the primary product with concentrations reaching up to 40 g / L. The optimal lactic acid production was at a pH of 5.5, a temperature of 41 °C, and a loading rate of 150 g VS / L after 16 hours. Lactic acid has value in the production of polylactic acid, a biodegradable polymer with properties similar to PTE (Yutaka et al., 2009). Currently polylactic acid-based plastics have been produced from corn and other foods, however, this research demonstrates the viability of producing lactic acid from unrefined sources, which will not compete with food supply or increase land needed for production. The outcomes of this project will help determine if food waste, which usually troublesome to dispose of, could be a viable resource for lactic acid production

Utilizing UAS to Support Wildlife Hazard Management Efforts by Airport Operators

Wildlife strikes to aviation are a serious economic and safety concern. The Federal Aviation Administration requires Part 139 airport operators to conduct a wildlife hazard assessment (WHA) when certain wildlife strike events occur at or around the airport. A WHA provides the empirical framework for the development of an effective Wildlife Hazard Management Plan by Part 139 airport operators. The purpose of this ongoing study is to investigate the application of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) technologies into the airport environment as a tool to identify hazardous wildlife species, their behaviors, and their habitats during a WHA. A qualified airport wildlife biologist has assisted our team during the development of new data collection methods, as well as the identification of wildlife species throughout the entire project. Data have been collected using a DJI Matrice 210 drone with a Zenmuse X5S camera and with a DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual drone at Coe Field (8FA4), a privately used, general aviation airport located in Class G airspace. Different strategies to mitigate risks associated with manned air traffic and remote-controlled aircraft were implemented in our study, such as incorporating an automatic detection surveillance broadcast flight box and Foreflight technologies as well as numerous visual observers during data collection. Furthermore, all team members are properly rated to act as a Remote Pilot in Command of our sUAS under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 107 regulations

Hormonal contraceptive methods and risk of HIV acquisition in women : a systematic review of epidemiological evidence

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The Distal Cytoplasmic Tail Of The Influenza A M2 Protein Dynamically Extends From The Membrane

The influenza A M2 protein is a multifunctional membrane-associated homotetramer that orchestrates several essential events in the viral infection cycle. The monomeric subunits of the M2 homotetramer consist of an N-terminal ectodomain, a transmembrane domain, and a C-terminal cytoplasmic domain. The transmembrane domain forms a four-helix proton channel that promotes uncoating of virions upon host cell entry. The membrane-proximal region of the C-terminal domain forms a surface-associated amphipathic helix necessary for viral budding. The structure of the remaining ~34 residues of the distal cytoplasmic tail has yet to be fully characterized despite the functional significance of this region for influenza infectivity. Here, we extend structural and dynamic studies of the poorly characterized M2 cytoplasmic tail. We used SDSL-EPR to collect site-specific information on the mobility, solvent accessibility, and conformational properties of residues 61–70 of the full-length, cell-expressed M2 protein reconstituted into liposomes. Our analysis is consistent with the predominant population of the C-terminal tail dynamically extending away from the membranes surface into the aqueous medium. These findings provide insight into the hypothesis that the C-terminal domain serves as a sensor that regulates how M2 protein participates in critical events in the viral infection cycle

Mineralogy of the MSL Curiosity landing site in Gale crater as observed by MRO/CRISM

Orbital data acquired by the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) and High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment instruments on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) provide a synoptic view of compositional stratigraphy on the floor of Gale crater surrounding the area where the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity landed. Fractured, light-toned material exhibits a 2.2 µm absorption consistent with enrichment in hydroxylated silica. This material may be distal sediment from the Peace Vallis fan, with cement and fracture fill containing the silica. This unit is overlain by more basaltic material, which has 1 µm and 2 µm absorptions due to pyroxene that are typical of Martian basaltic materials. Both materials are partially obscured by aeolian dust and basaltic sand. Dunes to the southeast exhibit differences in mafic mineral signatures, with barchan dunes enhanced in olivine relative to pyroxene-containing longitudinal dunes. This compositional difference may be related to aeolian grain sorting

The Grizzly, September 25, 2008

Another Fantastically Fun-Filled Family Day for Ursinus College • Worcester High School Pregnancy Pact Fact? • So Long Shea Stadium • Lower Draws Crowds • Ursinus Students to Attend Activist Workshop at Swarthmore • UC Writing Center? What\u27s That? • UC Fringe Cabaret Strikes a Chord with Music, Improv and Acrobatics • Abroad in Germany: Culture Shock! • Up \u27Til Dawn Awareness Week at UChttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1769/thumbnail.jp

Methanotrophic bacterial symbionts fuel dense populations of deep-sea feather duster worms (Sabellida, Annelida) and extend the spatial influence of methane seepage

Deep-sea cold seeps are dynamic sources of methane release and unique habitats supporting ocean biodiversity and productivity. Here, we describe newly discovered animal-bacterial symbioses fueled by methane, between two species of annelid (a serpulid Laminatubus and sabellid Bispira) and distinct aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria belonging to the Methylococcales, localized to the host respiratory crown. Worm tissue δ¹³C of −44 to −58‰ are consistent with methane-fueled nutrition for both species, and shipboard stable isotope labeling experiments revealed active assimilation of ¹³C-labeled methane into animal biomass, which occurs via the engulfment of methanotrophic bacteria across the crown epidermal surface. These worms represent a new addition to the few animals known to intimately associate with methane-oxidizing bacteria and may further explain their enigmatic mass occurrence at 150–million year–old fossil seeps. High-resolution seafloor surveys document significant coverage by these symbioses, beyond typical obligate seep fauna. These findings uncover novel consumers of methane in the deep sea and, by expanding the known spatial extent of methane seeps, may have important implications for deep-sea conservation

Methanotrophic bacterial symbionts fuel dense populations of deep-sea feather duster worms (Sabellida, Annelida) and extend the spatial influence of methane seepage

Deep-sea cold seeps are dynamic sources of methane release and unique habitats supporting ocean biodiversity and productivity. Here, we describe newly discovered animal-bacterial symbioses fueled by methane, between two species of annelid (a serpulid Laminatubus and sabellid Bispira) and distinct aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria belonging to the Methylococcales, localized to the host respiratory crown. Worm tissue δ¹³C of −44 to −58‰ are consistent with methane-fueled nutrition for both species, and shipboard stable isotope labeling experiments revealed active assimilation of ¹³C-labeled methane into animal biomass, which occurs via the engulfment of methanotrophic bacteria across the crown epidermal surface. These worms represent a new addition to the few animals known to intimately associate with methane-oxidizing bacteria and may further explain their enigmatic mass occurrence at 150–million year–old fossil seeps. High-resolution seafloor surveys document significant coverage by these symbioses, beyond typical obligate seep fauna. These findings uncover novel consumers of methane in the deep sea and, by expanding the known spatial extent of methane seeps, may have important implications for deep-sea conservation

The Grizzly, September 11, 2008

Republican National Convention Rallies Supporters • Studies Show Half of College Students Contemplate Suicide • Start of New Now on View Art Film Festival • Science, Strife and Speculation of Hurricane Season \u2708 • UC Senior Implements First Ever Bike Share Program • Cinematic Guild Brings Creative Filmography to Campus • Introducing Cassandra Aguilar • The Grizzly Catches Up with Dean Nolan • Celebrating Herencia Latina Fall Events • Molly Maguire\u27s: A Bit O\u27 Irish Spirit • UC Women\u27s Soccer Fights for Another Strong Season • Football\u27s New Motto: No Interceptions, No Exceptionshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1767/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 4, 2008

Democrats Deem 2008 Election A Fight for the Future • Current Look at Issues Surrounding Iraqi Sovereignty • Changing Face of Ursinus: Recent Renovations • Ursinus College Journeys Abroad: Tuebingen, Germany • Another Season of Reviewing Begins with a Shining Culinary Success • Incredible Medical Internship for Senior • UC Men\u27s Soccer Team Intends on Silencing the Criticshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1766/thumbnail.jp