1,321 research outputs found
Annette Harvey Diary, 1906-1910
No full textAnnette Harvey, of Arkansas, West Virginia, and Ohio, recounts events of her daily life in this 'Line a Day' diary. She was the daughter of William Hope Harvey, aka 'Coin' Harvey, a well-known businessman, politician, author and founder of the resort of Monte Ne and the Ozark Association. Annette's brief entries record visits, housework, dances, parties, a train trip to New York, weather, church services and socials over a 5 year period, 1906-1910. Addresses and miscellaneous thoughts, quotations, poems, are recorded at the end of the volume. A photograph of her home made in 1906 is tipped in at the front of the diary
Interview with Annette Lareau
No full textAnnette Lareau is the Stanley I. Sheerr Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life (University of California Press). Unequal Childhoods won the best book award from three sections of the American Sociological Association: Sociology of the Family, Sociology of Children and Youth, and Sociology of Culture (co-winner)
Characterization of a Pseudomonas stutzeri strain from marine sediments capable of iron oxidation and electrode oxidatation
Get PDFBy Ruchita Solanki, Biological Sciences
Advisor: Annette Rowe
Presentation ID: PM_ATRIUM34
Abstract: Little is known about the ability of microorganisms to utilize solid phase minerals in environmental systems, in part due to the limited number of model systems available. To this aim, we previously cultivated a wide range of microbes from a marine sediment capable of extracellular electron uptake from poised potential electrodes (Rowe et al. 2015). Strains of Pseudomonas stutzeri, an easily grown, cosmopolitan gram- negative bacteria, were isolated in this work, and have been highlighted as a potential model systems for understanding extracellular electron transport (EET) for electron uptake. Our preliminary characterization of this organism have investigated growth and cell density of this organism in minimal media with glucose. Using this system, we are investigating the range of temperatures, pH and salinities that are compatible with growth of this strain. Preliminary results suggest growth of this organism occurs from +10 to +35 temperature, and can grow in 5 pH to a basic pH. Further characterization across cathode isolated and the type strains of Pseudomonas we will investigate the ability of the organisms to grow on electrodes, inorganic minerals, and using alternate terminal electron acceptors (i.e. nitrate). Further understanding their growth physiology will allow us to better utilize P. stutzeri as a model system for investigations of extracellular electron uptake.
 
Feasibility of Genetically Engineering an Electrode-oxidizing Bacterium, Thioclava electrotrophica
No full textBy Vageesha Herath, Biochemistry
Advisor: Annette Rowe
Abstract: The genetic manipulation of organism such as E. coli has led to our advanced understanding of this organism\u27s physiology. E. coli is capable of a fairly restricted range of metabolisms compared with other microbes, however genetic approaches in the majority of microbes remain unstudied and unknown. One such microbe, Thioclava electrotropha ElOx9, is an electro-trophic bacterium. The mechanism or genes involved in this process remain unknown. While the overall objective of studying this organism is to understand its capacity for electron uptake, this current work investigates the feasibility of genetically engineering T. electrotropha. Previous work in T. electrotropha has demonstrated that this organism is capable of acquiring a plasmid (small circular DNA found in bacteria that is separate from the central chromosomal DNA) via conjugation. This work investigated the potential for T. electrotropha using mating independent approaches-specifically transformation and electroporation. The plasmid used for this work, pMiniHimar, contains an antibiotic resistance (Kanamycin) that allowed us to screen for acquisition of the plasmid by various methods. Under specific conditions, Thioclava electrotropha bacterial cells can be induced to up-take pMinihimar plasmids, which contain the gene for Kanamycin resistance. This supports the genetic tractability of this organism through conjugation independent methods
Annotation of Microbial Genome with Potential Extracellular Electron Transport Capabilities
No full textBy Waleed Amir, Biological Sciences and Neuroscience
Advisor: Annette Rowe
Presentation ID: 177
Abstract: The diversity of microbial metabolisms is constantly being expanded and characterized. This includes understanding of how microbes use different inorganic materials under different environmental conditions. To better understand the metabolic capabilities of Idiomarina loihiensis str. FeNA, isolated from marine sediment cathodes, we sequenced and annotated its genome. The genome was annotated and assessed using various bioinformatic resources. I. loihiensis has 2.9 MB genome that encodes approximately 2,786 genes. Comparing these genes against the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), we see that this organism has a wide range of carbon utilizing pathways, consistent with eating organic carbon, but lacks a complete respiratory pathway for anything but oxygen (e.g., nitrogen or sulfur). In this work we aimed to investigate the microbes ability to oxidize metals through the investigation of novel (uncharacterized) cytochrome containing genes since these are not well characterized. We so far have identified 8 cytochrome containing genes, 2 of which are localized on the membrane or extracellularly which supports a potential role in extracellular electron transfer. Further investigation of these genes could provide insight into extracellular electron transfer which is important because it plays a key role in bioremediation and microbe-electrode technologies
Assessing phenotypes of Thioclava electrotrophica
No full textBy Alexandra Marquardt, Biology
Advisor: Annette Rowe
Presentation ID: PM_D25
Abstract: One of the main challenges of understanding microbial function in environmental systems is the lack of genetic techniques that allow us to assess phenotypes. This has been especially true in chemolithoautotrophs which are often challenging to grow in the lab. To aim this, we have been developing techniques for transferring genetic information into the facultative chemolithoautotroph, Thioclava electrotrophica ElOx9. Having developed a media compatible for growth with both E. coli and T. electrotrophic, we have successfully developed a conjugation protocol that has allowed us to transform T. electrotrophica with both a fluorescent marker and introduce the minMar transposon. In this work we will present the mating efficacy for this process. In order, assess future compatibility with more additional genetic techniques like CRISPR CAS-9 mediated genome editing, we have also been investigating the potential for electroporation, stemming from recent work published for Shewanella. Our current work suggested that Thioclava are capable of withstanding the electroporation conditions, which hold promise for the potential of this approach to yield genetic transformation. Our future work will entail using these techniques to construct a library of gene deletion mutants using transposon mutagenesis that can be used to assess the genes involved in chemolithoautotrophic growth of T. electrotrophica on elementals sulfur and electron uptake from electrodes, to further study the potential genes involved in these processes
Interview with Annette J. Smith
Get PDFInterview in seven sessions, December 2010 to January 2011 with Annette J. Smith, visiting professor of French at Caltech from 1970 to 1982, appointed associate professor with tenure in 1982, promoted to professor of French in 1985, and Professor of Literature emeritus since 1993.
Family history, childhood and education in Algiers, Algeria. Family history and background of late husband, Caltech Professor of Literature David R. Smith (1960-1990). Bachelor’s degree in Classics (1948) from Sorbonne in Paris. Attended the School of Professors of French Abroad at the Sorbonne and taught at the University of Wales in Swansea. Master’s degree in English. Marriage to D. Smith and move to the United States.
Teaches at Scripps College and Claremont Men’s College [now Claremont McKenna College], where she had tenure position. Caltech hires D. Smith as professor and A. Smith as lecturer in French language. D. Smith as Joseph Conrad scholar. Doctorate degree (1964) and dissertation on author Nicole Védrès. D. Smith made Master of Student Houses (1969-1975); life in Virginia Steele Scott house. Descriptions of faculty and atmosphere within Division of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), beginning when Hallett Smith was chair. Friendship with Max and Manny Delbrück. Cultural life at Caltech; D. Smith brings poets, actors, directors and musicians to campus. Life as professor’s spouse and efforts to improve working conditions and salaries for female staff. Sexual discrimination in HSS and support for Jenijoy La Belle. History and founding of Baxter Art Gallery (1970), significant exhibitions organized by D. Smith, closing of Baxter Art Gallery (1985). Important relationships with Caltech professors, postdocs and staff: R. Sperry, R. Feynman, A. Hibbs, J. and F. Audouze, D. and C. Cesarsky, J.-P. Bibring, and N. and C. Corngold.
Elevated to associate professor (1982). Literature courses she taught and impressions of students. Two books accepted for publication: one on Arthur de Gobineau and translation of poems by Aimé Césaire. Explanation of racial theories of Gobineau and discussion of his fiction; impact of Gobineau’s racist writings and theories, including appropriation by Nazis. Discussion of Darwinism. Comments about translating poetry and working with poet Clayton Eshleman on four books of Césaire’s poetry. Description of Césaire’s life and politics and his importance as a leader and author. Reads her translations of Césaire’s poems.
Impressions of foreign language study at Caltech and further descriptions of HSS, including some unfortunate hires and tension in the division. D. Smith’s illness and death. Teaching in Papeete, Tahiti, 1990-1991. Circular nature of her life and work. Purchase of land and building of second home in Point Dume, Malibu, (1980-1981) and celebratory party there. Expressions of gratitude for Caltech and its brilliant scientists and community
The censor without, the censor within: the resistance of Johnstone’s improv to the social and political pressures of 1950s Britain
No full textKeith Johnstone's improv, popularly known through the Theatresports format, was forged in the cultural and historical context of 1950s Britain. In this paper I will argue that Johnstone's incarnation of theatrical improvisation was defined by its reaction to the normalising forces exerted by the social elite upon the broader population and by civilised society upon the individual.
Johnstone's improv was a reaction against the Lord Chamberlain’s power to censor the British stage and a challenge to the internalised 'censor' British society of the time implanted in the minds of his students, stunting their creative imaginations. Johnstone borrowed elements of professional wrestling to break down the regimented conventions of the theatre space and enliven the spectator-performer relationship. As well as echoing Roland Barthes’ idealistic analysis of professional wrestling (Barthes, 1984: n.p.), Johnstone’s improv shares Barthes’ critique of the authority of the author and allows meaning to be generated out of the encounter between performers and spectators in the instant of the performance’s emergence. Through these processes, Johnstone’s improv defies the censor without (The Lord Chamberlain) by rooting out the censor within (the socially learnt inhibitions to the creative imagination).
By delineating the political and social pressures at play in the historical context of 1950s Britain and the ways that the stylistic conventions of Johnstone's improv resist and subvert these forces, I will demonstrate the emancipatory power latent in this mode of popular performance. This is a particularly timely analysis given the increasing authority of free market economics to dictate what appears on contemporary British stages, and the internalised censor that panoptical CCTV and social media is implanting within the minds of British citizens today
Characterization of Halomonas Strain FeN2, a Microbe Isolated From Marine Sediments
No full textBy Jacob Shirey, Biological Sciences
Advisor: Annette Rowe
Presentation ID: 110
Abstract: Little is known about the mechanisms or importance of extracellular electron transfer (EET) - a process akin to eating or breathing rocks. In marine sediments, these processes are difficult to measure but are likely prevalent. Due to the ecology of their habitat, some microbes have adapted to utilizing inorganic compounds for energy and/or as a terminal electron acceptor for respiration which can result in these processes playing important roles in the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients. In addition, these metabolisms may have biotechnological applications, especially for microbe-electrode technologies such as microbial fuel cells (green, renewable energy). To better understand the mechanisms of EET, a taxonomic and psychologic characterization was carried out on Halomonas strain FeN2, a bacterium capable of EET. Members of the Halomonas genus are Gram-negative, halotolerant, adapted to alkaline environments, and are metabolically versatile. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicates that strain FeN2 is most similar to Halomonas alkaliantarctica at 99%. Physiologic experiments demonstrate growth ranging from 4-50°C, 1-10% NaCl, and pH 3-9. FeN2 is capable of heterotrophic growth using acetate as the carbon and electron donor under aerobic (oxygen) and anaerobic (nitrate) conditions. Under aerobic conditions, FeN2 can utilize maltose, citrate, arabinose, and mannose as carbon and electron donors. Chemolithoautotrophic growth with Fe2+ or thiosulfate as electron donors has also been observed. These findings expand our understanding of the metabolic capacity of FeN2 and help lay the groundwork for continued study into the mechanisms and ecological implications of EET in marine sediment microbial communities
Microscopic investigations of physiology and respiration in electrode oxidizing microorganisms
Get PDFBy Edmund Leach, Biological Sciences
Advisor: Annette Rowe
Presentation ID: AM_ATRIUM11
Abstract: The ability of organisms to utilize reduced electrons from an electrode for respiration and biosynthesis has been investigated. However, the mechanistic and bioenergetic understanding of direct electron uptake is limited. Using microscopic techniques with electrochemical conditions probing for electron uptake, we sought to investigate conditions that support respiration and NADH production in an electrode oxidizing model system(s). The Alphaproteobacteria, Thioclava electrotropha and Gamaproteobacteria, Idomarina loihiensis were both isolated from a marine sediment using electrodes. These organisms also grow heterotrophically, making them a potential ideal model system. To investigate the metabolic consequences of electron uptake, we propose to utilize microscopic techniques that relate cellular electrochemical gradient (Nernstian voltage indicator, Tht) and NADH concentration (NADH-binding protein Peredox). To establish the validity of fluorescent markers for biosynthetic capacity and respiration, T. electrotropha and I. loihiensis were studied under different growth conditions where the concentration of acetate and/or the presence of oxygen was used to modulate energetic state. It was confirmed under the microscope that certain concentrations of acetate affect the NADH concentration of I. loihiensis. Also that the electrochemical gradient of T. electrotropha is proven to be affected by different acetate concentrations and oxygen states. Given preliminary results grounding truth in the utility of these fluorescent markers, electron uptake in both T. electrotropha and I. loihiensis can be investigated under various poised electrochemical conditions. This study will help in understanding the bioenergetic consequences of electron uptake in microorganisms and potentially the link between respiration and biosynthesis in electrode oxidizing organisms.
 
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