Identification and Characterization of Bacillus anthracis Spores by Flow Cytometry

Mathematical and Physical Sciences: 1st Place (The Ohio State University Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum)Rapid and accurate detection of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, remains an active area of research due to the continued threat of bioterrorist attack. The ability to differentiate Bacillus anthracis spores from spores belonging to other Bacillus species is important for the development of spore-based detection methods. Furthermore, not all Bacillus anthracis strains are fully virulent and the ability to rapidly determine the potential virulence of the spore is also important. Thus far, no spore-based method exists that can simultaneously satisfy both criteria. We conjugated a previously identified synthetic peptide to the fluorescent protein R-phycoerythrin to make a reagent that differentiates among Bacillus species. As expected, the conjugate selectively labeled Bacillus anthracis spores but could not distinguish between spores from fully virulent or minimally virulent strains. In response, our laboratory developed a fluorescent antibody-based assay that can be used to detect protective antigen protein associated with the surfaces of Bacillus anthracis spores. The two methods were combined in a two-color flow cytometric assay capable of simultaneously identifying the spore bacterial species as well as the relative virulence of the spore. This assay is novel in that Bacillus anthracis spores from protective antigen-producing strains can now be distinguished from protective antigen-negative strains. Surface protective antigen was detected in Bacillus anthracis spores that were prepared as long as four years ago; however, prolonged storage of spores was found by transmission electron microscopy to cause degradation of the exosporium and a loss of binding to the species-specific peptide. Based on the results of this study, we classified a set of prototypical flow cytometry dot-plot patterns that can be used to predict the species and relative virulence of unidentified samples of Bacillus spores in as little as one hour.No embarg

Proper 19 • James 3:1–12

Christians are absolutely forbidden to speak evil of other people—even if what they say is technically “true.

Proper 8 • Jeremiah 28:5–9 • June 29, 2014

How do we know if a prophet speaks the truth? We know by seeing whether what he said actually happens

Faithful Witness in Work and Rest

Faithful Christian witness in work starts with the value of the work itself, in its own right, not as a means to some other end or a pretense for some specifically “religious” agenda

Residual Effects of Chloride Fertilization on Selected Plant and Soil Parameters

Although Chloride (Cl) is an essential plant nutrient, it has, in the past, not usually been considered as limiting to crop growth. However, crop yield responses, particularly with small grains, have been documented in the United States. In South Dakota grain yield increases ranging from 200 to 500 kg ha-l have been noted for spring wheat. Chloride fertilization has been shown to be profitable if responsive situations can be identified. Although Cl is known to rapidly leach through the soil in humid areas, little is known how it moves through the soil with time in subhumid areas. There is a need to evaluate the effects of Cl applications on soil Cl levels over time. In addition, there is the need to evaluate the effects that soil Cl levels have on plant Cl concentrations. In order to develop the potential that plant Cl tests have for identifying Cl responsive situations additional knowledge of the Cl uptake pattern in responsive crops, such as wheat is needed. In order to meet the above needs, a study was conducted in which the major objectives of this study were to i.) determine residual effects of Cl fertilization and ii.) to measure progressive Cl uptake and dry matter accumulation in spring wheat as influenced by residual Cl. Significant relationships have been noted between soil Chloride (Cl ), Cl uptake and yield response in spring wheat. However little information exists concerning the residual value of Cl in drier areas. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine residual effects of Cl fertilization in a subhumid climate and to measure the movement of Cl through soil with time. Six Cl levels ranging from 0 to 510 kg ha-1were applied as KCL (muriate of potash) to a soil (Udic Haploboroll) with an initial soil Cl content of 19 kg ha-l in the upper 60 cm. A corn (Zea mays L.)-spring wheat rotation was practiced between two adjacent sites. Soil Cl levels were measured after the first three seasons at five depth increments to a final depth of 120 cm. Maximum Cl concentrations following the first growing season occurred at approximately 50 cm. By the beginning of the third growing season most of the Cl had leached below 120 cm. Deep sampling to three meters after the third growing season indicated maximum Cl accumulation between o.ne and two meters. A positive response of spring wheat to added Cl was observed for the first two growing seasons. Factors contributing to the rapid removal of Cl from the upper 120 cm include above average precipitation, large precipitation events and saturation of soil macropores. Chloride soil testing is recommended prior to the establishment of a Cl responsive crop in regions where responses have been verified

Incorporating Multi-Spectral Imaging Into Long-Term Upland Breeding Bird Monitoring

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Kansas, United States partnered with Fort Hays State University Hays, KS in 2014 to begin a collaborative research project that aimed to develop a long-term monitoring protocol guided by the Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the refuge published in 2013. This plan identified specific wildlife taxa underrepresented in management impact assessments throughout the property. As a result of this plan, surveys were established to monitor interactions between upland breeding birds and the vegetation community. I conducted point count surveys in 2016, 2017, and 2018 for 122 observation points across four transects. I measured seventeen vegetation variables at each observation point between 13-26 July 2016, 5-13 June 2017, 24-27 July 2017, and 18-22 June 2018. I obtained multi-spectral imagery for June 2017 from GeoEye-1 satellite operated by Satellite Imaging Corporation to compare the 17 vegetation variables with remotely-sensed vegetation data. I used reflectance signatures of five unique vegetation classes to generate five vegetation cover types by using supervised Maximum Likelihood Classification in ArcGIS. I modeled single-season occupancy by using traditional and remote-sensed vegetation variables as covariates for Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii), grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), warbling vireo (Vireo gilvus), and western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis). Covariates derived from multi-spectral imagery consistently performed equal to or better than comparable field-measured covariates for four of the five species. I then applied the multi-spectral imagery classification technique to imagery of proposed wilderness area at Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Nebraska, United States captured 27 June 2018 to assess translatability of these methods. I identified five habitat classes sensitive to vegetative productivity and exposed bare ground that potentially could be reassessed multiple times through the 15 year lifespan of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan to determine vegetation changes across the 9,915 hectares. These assessments promote an adaptive management approach to plant community dynamics on federal properties by allowing for annual assessments that better mimic real world dynamics but require a fraction of the resources

Biodiesel blends for fueling diesel engines

"Commercially produced biodiesel is a safe and reliable alternative fuel that can be used in diesel engines with little or no need for modification to existing engines and fuel systems. Most commercially available biodiesel fuels are actually biodiesel blends that are properly referenced with the letter B followed by a one- or two-digit number that represents the percentage of biodiesel used in the blend with petroleum diesel fuel. Pure biodiesel is sometimes called 'neat' biodiesel and is also referred to as B100. The most common biodiesel blends are B2, B5, B10, B20 and B50. The remaining fraction is petroleum-based diesel fuel, which is often referred to as petrodiesel."--Page 1.William Casady and Leon Schumacher (Agricultural Engineering Extension

Biodiesel blends for fueling diesel engines (2006)

Commercially produced biodiesel is a safe and reliable alternative fuel that can be used in diesel engines with little or no need for modification to existing engines and fuel systems. Most commercially available biodiesel fuels are actually biodiesel blends that are properly referenced with the letter B followed by a one- or two-digit number that represents the percentage of biodiesel used in the blend with petroleum diesel fuel. Pure biodiesel is sometimes called "neat" biodiesel and is also referred to as B100. The most common biodiesel blends are B2, B5, B10, B20 and B50. The remaining fraction is petroleum-based diesel fuel, which is often referred to as petrodiesel.New 11/06/3M

The Development of and Relationship Between Elgin U-46\u27s Teacher Appraisal System and Mentor Program: 1998-2010

This study investigated the historical development of Elgin School District U-46\u27s teacher appraisal system and teacher mentor program during the years of 1998-2010. In 1998 a formal mentor program was implemented for the first time in district history. Shortly thereafter, district and union leadership agreed to revamp the twenty-five-year-old appraisal system. The study aimed to explore how district and union leadership prepared for, adopted, and implemented appraisal and mentoring during this time period through the framework of Thomas Sergiovanni\u27s (1992) sources of authority for leadership. The research questions of this study focused on five topics: the historical development of the teacher appraisal plan (TAP), the historical development of the teacher mentor program (TMP), sources of authorities for leadership evidenced during the stages of implementation and development, challenges faced and sources of authorities evidenced to overcome them, and evidence that appraisal and mentoring either complement or contradict each other in U-46. An elaborate look at primary documents including teacher contracts, School Board reports and minutes, local newspaper articles, meeting agendas, professional development presentations, staff surveys, and selected professional literature helped reveal the change process undergone for teacher appraisal and showed the development of the mentor program. As Senate Bill 315 recently passed, more districts will be revisiting their teacher appraisal system to include student performance data as a measure in order to qualify for Race to the Top funding. Article 21A of Illinois School Code continues to require districts to mentor their novice teachers, although the quality of these programs inevitably varies. These mandates, along with the continuous need to strengthen teacher performance in an accountability-driven era, make this a relevant study for educational leaders. Understanding the successes and challenges of Elgin U-46 can provide administrators and union officials insight as they move forward with similar developments and changes