Life Support System Considerations for Space Station

With the growing desire to initiate a Space Station program, the interest in advanced, regenerative life support systems is also increasing. This paper briefly reviews this future spacecraft and concentrates on the advanced technology in some of the key functions of life support for this application. This paper reviews the basics of life support and its importance within a space station program. It concentrates«on the impact of major requirements and discusses some of the key influences that impact the design of the system. It also projects some of the key functional areas of the life support system which are most likely to be implemented from today\u27s current technology. The imminent availability of the Space Shuttle has rekindled interest in the longer duration space missions and permanent orbiting space platforms. Studies are underway to define missions and concept the orbiting facilities based on the capabilities available with and limitations imposed by the Space Transportation System. A work base in space is required to economically perform the long duration, complex missions of the future and to utilize the Space Shuttle in its intended role as a space truck. The term Space Station is again coming into vogue, although other titles for this program are currently in use

Relationship of Maintenance Energy Requirements to Beef Female Production Efficiency

Thirty-three Hereford x Angus first-calf females were used to determine the relationship between production efficiency (PE = calf weaning weight/l2month dam + calf ME intake) and nonlactating dam maintenance ME requirements (MEm) and its components k, and FHP. Substantial variation existed in PE and energy parameters among individuals. However, maintenance metabolism of the dam contributed little to explaining PE variation (Fs.04). This may have been due to the high plane of nutrition provided. Additionally, FHP was closely related to MEm (r2 = .69), suggesting it could be used as an indicator of fed maintenance requirements

Early parenting and children's kindergarten peer acceptance

"The purpose of this study was to identify 2 theoretical constructs of parenting and assess the relation of these constructs to children's kindergarten peer acceptance. Participants included 274 children, their mothers, and kindergarten peers. General maternal style at this time point was found to be distinct from specific strategies mothers used to cope with their children's displays of negative emotions. The 3-way interaction of these 2 parenting variables with gender was found to have a significant relation with kindergarten peer status. This interaction was such that positive maternal style acted as a protective factor when mothers' specific emotion-coping strategies were non-supportive. The combination of low positive maternal style with non-supportive strategy use was most detrimental for boys' peer relations. Findings are discussed in terms of a th

Optimizing identification of clinically relevant gram-positive organisms by use of the bruker biotyper matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry system

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) can be used as a method for the rapid identification of microorganisms. This study evaluated the Bruker Biotyper (MALDI-TOF MS) system for the identification of clinically relevant Gram-positive organisms. We tested 239 aerobic Gram-positive organisms isolated from clinical specimens. We evaluated 4 direct-smear methods, including “heavy” (H) and “light” (L) smears, with and without a 1-μl direct formic acid (FA) overlay. The quality measure assigned to a MALDI-TOF MS identification is a numerical value or “score.” We found that a heavy smear with a formic acid overlay (H+FA) produced optimal MALDI-TOF MS identification scores and the highest percentage of correctly identified organisms. Using a score of ≥2.0, we identified 183 of the 239 isolates (76.6%) to the genus level, and of the 181 isolates resolved to the species level, 141 isolates (77.9%) were correctly identified. To maximize the number of correct identifications while minimizing misidentifications, the data were analyzed using a score of ≥1.7 for genus- and species-level identification. Using this score, 220 of the 239 isolates (92.1%) were identified to the genus level, and of the 181 isolates resolved to the species level, 167 isolates (92.2%) could be assigned an accurate species identification. We also evaluated a subset of isolates for preanalytic factors that might influence MALDI-TOF MS identification. Frequent subcultures increased the number of unidentified isolates. Incubation temperatures and subcultures of the media did not alter the rate of identification. These data define the ideal bacterial preparation, identification score, and medium conditions for optimal identification of Gram-positive bacteria by use of MALDI-TOF MS

Chromium sequencing: The doors open for genomics of obligate plant pathogens

It is challenging to sequence and assemble genomes of obligate plant pathogens and microorganisms because of limited amounts of DNA, comparatively large genomes and high numbers of repeat regions. We sequenced the 1.2 gigabase genome of an obligate rust fungus, Austropuccinia psidii, the cause of rust on Myrtaceae, with a Chromium 10X library. This technology has mostly been applied for single-cell sequencing in immunological studies of mammals. We compared scaffolds of a genome assembled from the Chromium library with one assembled from combined paired-end and mate-pair libraries, sequenced with Illumina HiSeq. Chromium 10X provided a superior assembly, in terms of number of scaffolds, N50 and number of genes recovered. It required less DNA than other methods and was sequenced and assembled at a lower cost. Chromium sequencing could provide a solution to sequence and assemble genomes of obligate plant pathogens where the amount of available DNA is a limiting factor. © 2018 Future Science. All rights reserved

Fungal Genomics Challenges the Dogma of Name-Based Biosecurity

Microorganisms have inadvertently been spread via the global movement and trade of their substrates, such as animals, plants, and soil. This intercontinental exchange in the current era of globalisation has given rise to significant increases in the distribution of known pests and pathogens. Importantly, it has also resulted in many novel, emerging, infectious diseases. Biosecurity and quarantine, which aim to prevent the establishment of foreign or harmful organisms in a non-native area, are under significant pressure due to the massive increases in travel and trade. Traditionally, quarantine regulations have been implemented based on pathogens that already cause significant disease problems on congener hosts in other parts of the world (e.g., Q-bank, available at http://www.q-bank.eu). Well-known pathogens are described, named, and studied to determine their disease cycle, epidemiology, and impact. Their importance is assessed based on their risk of infection, establishment, and economic or environmental consequences. This then shapes phytosanitary practices.The Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP), THRIP initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology (DST)/ National Research Foundation (NRF), and Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology (CTHB).http://www.plospathogens.orgam2016Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)GeneticsMicrobiology and Plant PathologyPlant Scienc

Dissecting Fc signatures of protection in neonates following maternal influenza vaccination in a placebo-controlled trial.

Influenza is an important cause of illness and morbidity for infants. Seasonal influenza vaccination during pregnancy aims to provide protection to mothers, but it can also provide immunity to infants. The precise influence of maternal vaccination on immunity in infants and how vaccine-elicited antibodies provide protection in some but not all infants is incompletely understood. We comprehensively profiled the transfer of functional antibodies and defined humoral factors contributing to immunity against influenza in a clinical trial of maternal influenza vaccination. Influenza-specific antibody subclass levels, Fc ɣ receptor (FCGR) binding levels, and antibody-dependent innate immune functions were all profiled in the mothers during pregnancy and at birth, as well as in cord blood. Vaccination increased influenza-specific antibody levels, antibody binding to FCGR, and specific antibody-dependent innate immune functions in both maternal and cord blood, with FCGR binding most enhanced via vaccination. Influenza-specific FCGR binding levels were lower in cord blood of infants who subsequently developed influenza infection. Collectively these data suggest that in addition to increased antibody amounts, the selective transfer of FCGR-binding antibodies contributes to the protective immune response in infants against influenza