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USE OF FLUORESCENT POWDER AS A MARKING METHOD ON MILLIPEDES
No full textMillipedes (class Diplopoda) are a diverse group of detritivores that are crucial for nutrient cycling and decomposition. Despite this, there is little known about these animals, such as home range, population size, sociality, and more. This is partly due to the fact that there has been no effective method for marking millipedes due to their small size, elongate shape, and fossorial nature. There has been some research using fluorescent powder for mark-recapture studies on insects. We tested the effectiveness of fluorescent powder as a marking method on millipedes using multiple species, including Ptyoiulus impressus (Julida: Parajulidae) and Dicellarius paynei (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae). Initial studies assessed fluorescent powder longevity and impact on mortality of the two species. For both species, the use of fluorescent powder had no apparent impact on individual mortality. There was varying longevity of the powder, with P. impressus retaining powder on leg crevices and D. paynei retaining powder under and around the paranota. However, traces of powder were retained on all marked individuals of both species. For both species, the submersion in water had no impact on powder retention. An outdoor test was also done to assess transfer between individuals and powder retention in natural conditions. For the outdoor test, marked and unmarked individuals were placed into mesocosms for approximately two weeks. Mesocosms consisted of 5-gal buckets partially buried into the soil. For D. paynei, only trace amounts of powder remained on marked individuals due to abrasion and weather. However, all marked individuals retained enough fluorescent powder to be differentiated from unmarked individuals. The outdoor test for P. impressus had to be replaced with Uroblaniulus sp. due to availability; this study is ongoing. Overall, fluorescent powder shows promise as an effective method for marking millipedes
INVESTIGATING THE SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF CITROSPET, CITRICIDAL, CAPRYLIC ACID, CARVACROL, LACTIC ACID AND HIGH-PRESSURE PROCESSING AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES
No full textThe increasing consumption of fresh produce poses a health risk due to microbial contamination, as these products are typically consumed raw and undergo minimal processing. Microbial contamination can occur at any stage from farming to consumer consumption, so foodborne illnesses have increased because of outbreaks linked to these foods. While High-pressure processing (HPP) improves food safety and extends the shelf life of food products, it is possible that some sub-lethal microorganisms could recover during storage. To enhance the preservative effect of HPP, combining it with natural antimicrobial compounds may produce a synergistic effect against microorganisms. Providing the additional assurance of HPP, some natural bioactive compounds can be the possible alternatives. The current study investigates the synergistic impact of HPP and natural antimicrobials — Citrospet, Citricidal, Caprylic acid, Carvacrol, and Lactic Acid on the inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. This study used a constant inoculum of 10^7 CFU/ml, exposed to 400 MPa pressure intensity, with 0.01% antimicrobial additives, for 0, 3, and 5 minutes at 25℃. Our findings demonstrate that Caprylic acid and Carvacrol were most effective in deactivating S. aureus and L. monocytogenes, with a reduction of 3.4-4 log CFU/ml for S. aureus and 4-5 log CFU/ml for L. monocytogenes compared to the control. These research findings suggest that HPP, combined with natural antimicrobials, can significantly reduce foodborne pathogens, offering an important advancement in food safety technology. Further research is needed to refine these methods and develop comprehensive protocols to ensure consistent and effective microbial control in food products
BISPHENOL A DETECTION IN BIRD TISSUE: A PILOT STUDY**
No full textBisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical intermediate in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Due to its hydrogen bonding potential, BPA is soluble in water and thus disperses through contaminated water sources. Its presence in the environment is abundant, posing risks to organisms and their reproduction. BPA functions as a xenoestrogen, resulting in decreased levels of testosterone and feminization of organisms. We have the unique opportunity to determine presence and concentration of BPA in multiple bird species collected by Birds Georgia, Project Safe Flight. Our current study focuses on determining the presence and concentration of BPA in the digestive system, heart, and lungs of deceased birds. As a pilot study project, results are ongoing
REFRAMING OSMOPHOBIC AND OSMOPHILIC EFFECTS**
No full textThe osmophobic effect has been an accessible phrase to introduce biochemists to ideas of how osmolytes effect biochemical processes. It was built by analogy with the hydrophobic effect, central to protein folding, and the observation that urea primarily interacts with the backbone of proteins, and less significantly with side chains. We have revisited experiments underpinning the original formulation of the osmophobic effect and found that there is at least one crucial error in the data used. This error, in combination with other experimental findings, indicates a significant role for side chain-osmolyte interactions. We compare the predictive model based on the solubilities of protein backbone and side chains (group transfer free energy model) with a model based on molecular surface types (solute partitioning model). We show that our new solubility data is consistent with vapor pressure osmometry data used to construct the solute partitioning model. We conclude that available evidence supports using models for osmolyte effects on biochemical processes that rely on exposed atomic surface types rather than on molecular functional groups. But instead of discarding useful terminology that helps newcomers more quickly grasp the importance of the topic, we propose reframing the osmophobic effect from the idea that osmolytes primarily fear the protein backbone to more broadly applicable osmophobic and osmophilic effects where osmolytes are attracted to and excluded from different atomic surface types
DESIGN OF A HIGH VACUUM SYSTEM USING SOLIDWORKS
No full textFor our rotational spectroscopy research, a high vacuum system is designed to accomodate the large Fabry-Perot cavity resonator for a Balle-Flygare type Fourier transform micowave (BF-FTMW) spectrometer. To cover a broad frequency span of 3 - 40 GHz, the diameter of MW reflection mirrors are ~20 inches. A large vacuum chamber with a torispherical cap on the one end is designed using the Solidworks. Mechanical components with various industrial standards, including ASME, ISO, DIN, and JIS are used in this vacuum system degsign to compatible with all sorts of research and industrial standards
A COMPACT MICROSTRIP BASED PATCH ANTENNA FOR MULTIBAND APPLICATIONS**
No full textMicrosctrip based microwave antenna designs are becoming an integral part for a vast range of wireless devices such as cell phones, wireless routers and satellite communication devices. Our proposed microstrip structure is based on a di-electric substrate commonly known as FR4 substrate which is sandwiched between two metallic layers. These structures are highly effective for implimentaion due to their miniature size, simplicity and low-cost. Our proposed design can find applications in telecommunication, satellite communication and defense applications
DETERMINING IF EYESIGHT OF DIVISION II ATHLETES CORRELATES TO SPORT AND HOW IT COMPARES TO A GENERAL COLLEGE POPULATION**
No full textIt is commonly observed that baseball and rugby players have better eyesight than the average person. The purpose of this study is to determine if similar observations exist among athletes in other sports compared to non-athletes. Particularly, the study is investigating if Division II athletes in sports that use small, fast-moving balls (including baseball, softball, lacrosse, and tennis) will have better eyesight compared to non-athletes or athletes whose sport does not involve small, fast-moving balls (including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and cross-country). To determine this, all students will complete an athletics participation questionnaire, followed by a vision health history form and measurements of the student’s visual acuity using a C-Chart. Analysis of data will include appropriate statistical tests depending on the data collected. If data exhibit normal distribution, a student t-test or ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey will be used; should data not pass normality, a Mann-Whitney or a Kruskal-Wallis with post-hoc Dunn will be used
MATERNAL FACILITATION OF JOINT ATTENTION IN INFANTS’ SECOND YEAR OF LIFE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NATURALISTIC AND STRUCTURED CONTEXTS
No full textJoint attention, foundational for early development, shows rapid advancement between 12 and 18 months. Social partners can facilitate joint interactions through Attention-Directing Strategies (ADS). While previous research on the dyadic interplay of joint attention has often used standardized settings, this study examines the relationship between ADS and Infant Engagement States (IES) in natural and structured play conditions. Thirty-one mother-infant dyads, with infants aged 12, 18, and 24 months, completed a multi-part home visit, including a one-hour natural interaction and a 5-minute structured play. Five-minute segments from both contexts were coded for IES and ADS. Cross-lag sequential analysis examined time-dependent relationships between ADS and IES. Two-way ANOVAs were employed to examine differences in behavior across age groups and conditions. All study procedures, including research questions, hypotheses, and analyses, were preregistered. Results indicated that Introducing had negative sequential associations with both forms of joint attention. Maintaining significantly preceded Coordinated Joint Engagement (CJE) at a three-second lag in all age groups, only in natural play [Q(12m)= 0.32, Q(18m)= 0.32, Q(24m)= 0.31]. In structured play, Redirecting was the most likely predictor of Supported Joint Engagement (SJE) and CJE for all ages. Additionally, 24-month-olds displayed more SJE and less Solo Play than 12-month-olds. These findings provide insight into how maternal ADS and environment influence infant engagement, highlighting a context-dependent nature of the effectiveness of ADS. Maintaining, characterized by sustained focus on the infant\u27s object of attention, significantly predicted CJE in natural play. Whereas, Redirecting, involving shifting the infant\u27s attention to a new object, was most effective in eliciting joint attention in structured play. Furthermore, this study highlights developmental changes in engagement within the second year of life, with older infants displaying more supported joint engagement
THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF VETERAN IDENTITY: CONCLUSIONS FROM COHORT 1
No full textOur study employed photovoice and lyric analysis, two qualitative community-based participatory action research methods, in a cohort design to investigate how Veterans define their post-service identities. Photovoice enables Veterans to share their personal stories through photographs that represent their identities, while lyric analysis allows them to reflect on songs that resonate with their experiences. Veterans in our first cohort (N = 4) responded to the prompt, What does being a Veteran mean to you? by taking photos and selecting songs that reflected aspects of their identities. They then participated in semi-structured interviews to discuss the significance of these images and lyrics. The interviews varied in length and allowed each Veteran to explore their experiences in a meaningful way. Transcripts from these interviews, along with the lyrics of their chosen songs and other relevant artifacts (e.g., journal notes, research notes), were analyzed using a phenomenological approach to identify themes related to Veteran identity. Member-checking, where participants reviewed and discussed the results with researchers, was used to ensure external validity. Preliminary findings reveal common identity themes such as honor, integrity, pride, isolation/loneliness, duty, sacrifice, humanity, identity conflict, and loyalty. Despite the high degree of commonality in these themes, the research highlights that Veteran identity is not monolithic. Each participant processed their experiences through a unique lens, even with shared military culture. These methods build trust between historically exploited and excluded groups in science and researchers, amplifying marginalized voices. As a final exhibition, we hosted an interactive gallery featuring Veterans\u27 photos and songs to share their experiences with the public. The event included live performances and displays of highlighted lyrics and photos. Our project empowered Veterans to share their voices and helped rebuild trust between Veterans and the scientific community, addressing historical exploitation. Moving forward, we plan to recruit more Veterans and focus on the experiences of those with more intersectional identities
FTA™ Card Use for Detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in Wild Birds
Get PDFFlinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards are increasingly accepted as an accurate method for nucleic acid detection, including testing for the presence of various avian diseases. However, the accuracy of FTA cards for detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) in wild birds has not been published. Traditional techniques for testing MG in birds include serum plate agglutanation (SPA), hemagglutination inhibition (HI), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) all of which are time consuming and require significant financial investment into specialized equipment. We tested the efficacy of using FTA cards to detect MG in wild bird carcasses collected in the Atlanta, Georgia region. MG is primarily a respiratory disease, so we extracted trachea, lung, and duodenum tissue for testing. We compared tissue samples imprinted onto FTA cards to the same tissue samples processed using traditional molecular methods. We tested 204 individual birds via 506 paired samples for a total of 1,012 samples. Our results indicated a 96.2% similarity between FTA cards and traditional tissue sampling for the presence of MG in wild birds. The use of FTA cards for sampling wild birds for diseases would increase the ease of sample collection while maintaining sample accuracy