Toxoplasma gondii Infection in the United States, 1999–2000

Infection with Toxoplasma gondii can lead to congenital and acquired disease, resulting in loss of vision and neurologic illness. We tested sera collected in the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999–2000 for T. gondii–specific immunoglobulin G antibodies and compared these results with results from sera obtained in the NHANES III survey (1988–1994). NHANES collects data on a nationally representative sample of the U.S. civilian population. Of 4,234 persons 12–49 years of age in NHANES 1999–2000, 15.8% (age-adjusted, 95% confidence limits [CL] 13.5, 18.1) were antibody positive; among women (n=2,221) 14.9% (age-adjusted, 95% CL 12.5, 17.4) were antibody positive. T. gondii antibody prevalence was higher among non-Hispanic black persons than among non-Hispanic white persons (age-adjusted prevalence 19.2% vs. 12.1%, p=0.003) and increased with age. No statistically significant differences were found between T. gondii antibody prevalence in NHANES 1999–2000, and NHANES III. T. gondii antibody prevalence has remained stable over the past 10 years in the United States

A Robotics Engineering Certificate for Students Across the Navy

The article of record may be found at https://www.onr.navy.mil/-/media/Files/ONR-Publications/Future-Force-22-Vol-6-No-4-2020.ashx?la=e

Warfare Analysis of Logistics Agility in a Contested Environment

NPS NRP Project PosterThis research will examine Naval logistics support requirements during peacetime and conflict in the South China Sea through wargaming and analysis studies. NPS student team designed wargames from the Wargaming Applications course and mini-studies from the Joint Campaign Analysis (JCA) course will be utilized to inform and underpin this program of research.N4 - Fleet Readiness & LogisticsThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Warfare Analysis of Logistics Agility in a Contested Environment

NPS NRP Technical ReportThis research will examine Naval logistics support requirements during peacetime and conflict in the South China Sea through wargaming and analysis studies. NPS student team designed wargames from the Wargaming Applications course and mini-studies from the Joint Campaign Analysis (JCA) course will be utilized to inform and underpin this program of research.N4 - Fleet Readiness & LogisticsThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Apical secretory glycoprotein complex contributes to cell attachment and entry by Cryptosporidium parvum

Cryptosporidium parvum is an enteric pathogen that invades epithelial cells in the intestine, where it resides at the apical surface in a unique epicellular location. Compared with those of related apicomplexan parasites, the processes of host cell attachment and invasion by C. parvum are poorly understood. The streamlined C. parvum genome contains numerous mucin-like glycoproteins, several of which have previously been shown to mediate cell attachment, although the majority are unstudied. Here, we identified the antigens recognized by monoclonal antibody (MAb) 1A5, which stains the apical end of sporozoites and mature merozoites. Immunoprecipitation with MAb 1A5 followed by mass spectrometry identified a heterodimer comprised of paralogous proteins which are related to additional orthologs in the genome of C. parvum and related species. Paralogous glycoproteins recognized by MAb 1A5 heterodimerize as a complex displayed on the parasite surface, and they also interact with lectins that suggest that they contain mucin-like, O-linked oligosaccharides. Although the gene encoding one of the paralogs was readily disrupted by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, its partner, which contains a mucin-like domain related to GP900, was refractory to deletion. Combined with the ability of MAb 1A5 to partially neutralize host cell attachment by sporozoites, these findings define a new family of secretory glycoproteins that participate in cell invasion b

SOF-MAGTF Capabilities Integrations Analysis and Operational Modeling (Continuation)

NPS NRP Project PosterThis research, working in conjunction with ongoing NPS and MCWL efforts examining Expeditionary Advance Base Operations (EABO), will examine SOF-MAGTF Capabilities Integrations in a future Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO). This effort will focus on exploring, assessing and identify mechanisms that will allow MARSOC to better serve as a bridge for capabilities integration with SOF and deployed MAGTFs to fully maximize the complementary capabilities of each formation. This research will be conducted with multiple Joint Campaign Analysis and Wargaming Applications courses.Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC)Marine Corps Forces Command (COMMARFORCOM)This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

SOF-MAGTF Capabilities Integrations Analysis and Operational Modeling (Continuation)

NPS NRP Technical ReportThis research, working in conjunction with ongoing NPS and MCWL efforts examining Expeditionary Advance Base Operations (EABO), will examine SOF-MAGTF Capabilities Integrations in a future Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO). This effort will focus on exploring, assessing and identify mechanisms that will allow MARSOC to better serve as a bridge for capabilities integration with SOF and deployed MAGTFs to fully maximize the complementary capabilities of each formation. This research will be conducted with multiple Joint Campaign Analysis and Wargaming Applications courses.Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC)Marine Corps Forces Command (COMMARFORCOM)This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

SOF-MAGTF Capabilities Integrations Analysis and Operational Modeling (Continuation)

NPS NRP Executive SummaryThis research, working in conjunction with ongoing NPS and MCWL efforts examining Expeditionary Advance Base Operations (EABO), will examine SOF-MAGTF Capabilities Integrations in a future Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO). This effort will focus on exploring, assessing and identify mechanisms that will allow MARSOC to better serve as a bridge for capabilities integration with SOF and deployed MAGTFs to fully maximize the complementary capabilities of each formation. This research will be conducted with multiple Joint Campaign Analysis and Wargaming Applications courses.Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC)Marine Corps Forces Command (COMMARFORCOM)This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Assessing biochar ecotoxicology for soil amendment by root phytotoxicity bioassays

Soil amendment with biochar has been proposed as effective in improving agricultural land fertility and carbon sequestration, although the characterisation and certification of biochar quality are still crucial for widespread acceptance for agronomic purposes. We describe here the effects of four biochars (conifer and poplar wood, grape marc, wheat straw) at increasing application rates (0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 % w/w) on both germination and root elongation of Cucumis sativus L., Lepidium sativum L. and Sorghum saccharatum Moench. The tested biochars varied in chemical properties, depending on the type and quality of the initial feedstock batch, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) being high in conifer and wheat straw, Cd in poplar and Cu in grape marc. We demonstrate that electrical conductivity and Cu negatively affected both germination and root elongation at 655 % rate biochar, together with Zn at 6510 % and elevated pH at 6520 %. In all species, germination was less sensitive than root elongation, strongly decreasing at very high rates of chars from grape marc (>10 %) and wheat straw (>50 %), whereas root length was already affected at 0.5 % of conifer and poplar in cucumber and sorghum, with marked impairment in all chars at >5 %. As a general interpretation, we propose here logarithmic model for robust root phytotoxicity in sorghum, based on biochar Zn content, which explains 66 % of variability over the whole dosage range tested.We conclude that metal contamination is a crucial quality parameter for biochar safety, and that root elongation represents a stable test for assessing phytotoxicity at recommended in-field amendment rates (<1\u20132 %)