The relationship between enterotoxigenic {\it Escherichia coli\/} infection and environmental risk factors in Bilbeis, Egypt, 1981--1983

Diarrheal disease associated with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection is one of the major public health problems in many developing countries, especially in infants and young children. Because tests suitable for field laboratories have been developed only relatively recently, the literature on the environmental risk factors associated with ETEC is not as complete as for many other pathogens or for diarrhea of unspecified etiology.^ Data from a diarrheal disease surveillance project in rural Egypt in which stool samples were tested for a variety of pathogens, and in which an environmental questionnaire was completed for the same study households, provided an opportunity to test for an association between ETEC and various risk factors present in those households. ETEC laboratory-positive specimens were compared with ETEC laboratory-negative specimens for both symptomatic and asymptomatic children less than three years of age at the individual and household level using a case-comparison design.^ Individual children more likely to have LT infection were those who lived in HHs that had cooked food stored for subsequent consumption at the time of the visit, where caretakers used water but not soap to clean an infant after a diarrheal stool, and that had an indoor, private water source. LT was more common in HHs where the caretaker did not clean an infant with soap after a diarrheal stool, and where a sleeping infant was not covered with a net. At both the individual and HH level, LT was significantly associated with good water supply in terms of quantity and storage.^ ST was isolated more frequently at the individual level where a sleeping infant was covered with a net, where large animals were kept in or around the house, where water was always available and was not potable, and where the water container was not covered. At the HH level, the absence of a toilet or latrine and the indiscriminate disposal of animal waste decreased risk. Using animal feces for fertilizer, the presence of large animals, and poor water quality were associated with ST at both the individual and HH level.^ These findings are mostly consistent with those of other studies, and/or are biologically plausible, with the obvious exception of those from this study where poorer water supplies are associated with less infection, at least in the case of LT. More direct observation of how animal ownership and feces disposal relates to different types of water supply and usage might clarify mechanisms through which some ETEC infection could be prevented in similar settings. ^

Using intervention mapping to develop a community garden program at the women's home

This culminating experience was a practice based intervention conducted by an organization, utilizing an intervention mapping approach for the program planning. It took place summer 2010 through spring 2011 and included incorporating a community garden into the Gusto wellness program at The Women's Home. This organization offers long-term residential care, and therapeutic services. Literature relating to community gardens and nutrition behavior change was reviewed. Short-term objectives included: 1) Conducting a needs assessment using focus groups, 2) Designing gardening program components based on intervention mapping guidelines, 3) Constructing a garden bed at Midtown Community Garden for use of The Women's Home, 4) Planning and implementing gardening education, and 5) Assessing feasibility of the garden program. The target population included 24 residents living at the residential dormitory of The Women's Home at the time of this project. The major variables are intervention mapping constructs including: 1) Needs assessment, 2) Preparing matrices of change objectives, 3) Selecting theory-informed intervention methods and practical strategies, 4) Producing program components and materials, 5) Planning program adoption, implementation, and sustainability, and 6) Planning for evaluation. The specific focus was lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables (FV) for this population. Focus group responses revealed interest in community garden participation. Matrices of change were developed for lack of FV access based on performance objectives for behavioral and environmental factors and related determinants and theory. Methods and strategies were developed to implement a community garden and encourage participation. Program components included initiating a garden club, networking activities, creating gardening curriculum, and participating at Midtown Community Garden. Adoption and implementation performance objectives were outlined, and many were carried out. Evaluation questions were designed and outcomes of the garden project were discussed. ^ Outcomes of the project included exposure of garden topics and activities for The Women's Home residents, focus group responses revealing an interest in gardening among this population, gardening program components designed based on intervention mapping steps, and a constructed garden bed that was used for planting vegetables and flowers through fall 2010. Limited resources and budget along with a lack of a residential coordinator at The Women's Home were the main limiting factors for this project. Future garden projects can be developed using the intervention mapping process.^

Extractos de residuos de la vitivinicultura : concentración de polifenoles

El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la concentración de polifenoles en extractos de hojas de verano y otoño y de escobajo de variedades tintas de vitis vinifera, obtenidos por distintos métodos.Se trabajó con hojas de verano y de otoño de variedad Syrah y con hojas de otoño variedad Malbec, dividiéndolas por su color en rojas y amarillas, y con escobajo de variedad Malbec. Los extractos se obtuvieron por maceración en agua y baño María hirviente durante tres horas (BM), maceración en agua y agitación, a temperatura ambiente, durante 48 horas (AG). Se utilizó como referencia oleorresina de romero. El orden decreciente respecto de la cantidad de polifenoles expresados en g de quercitina / g de extracto seco fue el siguiente: oleorresina de romero: 56,3 ± 0,3 extracto de: hojas de otoño Syrah por maceración y agitación en agua a temperatura ambiente durante 48 horas: 7,5 ± 0,3; escobajo Malbec por maceración y agitación en agua a temperatura ambiente durante 48 horas: 24 ± 0,3; hojas de otoño rojas Malbec por maceración y agitación en agua a temperatura ambiente durante 48 horas: 22 ± 0,3; escobajo de Malbec: a baño María 21,4 ± 0,3; hojas de otoño Syrah 3 horas a baño María: 21,1 ±0,3; hojas de otoño amarillas Malbec por maceración y agitación en agua a temperatura ambiente durante 48 horas: 17 ± 0,3; hojas de verano Syrah 3 horas a baño María: 16,5 ± 0,3; hojas de otoño rojas Malbec 3 horas a baño María: 13,8 ± 0,3; hojas de otoño amarillas Malbec 3 horas a baño María: 12,4 ± 0,3; hojas de verano Syrah por maceración y agitación en agua a temperatura ambiente durante 48 horas: 12,2 ± 0,3. Se concluyó que las hojas de otoño contienen mayor cantidad de polifenoles que las de verano; la variedad Syrah posee más polifenoles en hojas que la variedad Malbec; el escobajo de Malbec contiene más olifenoles que las hojas de la misma variedad; y el mejor método de extracción para obtener estos compuestos activos fue por maceración en agua y agitación a temperatura ambiente durante 48 horas.

Primera cita de Podosphaera fusca, responsable del oídio de la caléndula en Mendoza, Argentina

La caléndula (Calendula officinalis) es una planta herbácea utilizada por sus hermosas flores amarillas o naranjas en borduras, jardinería y como flor de corte. Está ampliamente difundida en el mundo, no sólo por la belleza de sus flores o por su uso en la cosmética sino por ser resistente, de fácil cultivo y poco exigente en condiciones ambientales. En Mendoza es muy empleada como ornamental y todos los años es afectada por una enfermedad denominada oídio. En Argentina se mencionan como agentes etiológicos del oídio diversas especies del género Erysiphe y Oidium erysiphoides, pero no se había descripto la forma teleomórfica sino hasta 1991 en Corrientes y Córdoba, cuando fue citada como Sphaerotheca fusca. En 2004, en Mendoza, se produjo un intenso ataque de oídio sobre esta especie floral y al estudiar la pulverulencia típica de la enfermedad se observaron cuerpos negros, lo que motivó el estudio etiológico de la enfermedad en dicha provincia. Se muestrearon ejemplares de caléndula afectados procedentes de distintos orígenes. En laboratorio se realizaron observaciones y estudios morfométricos que permitieron reconocer Podosphaera fusca (=Sphaerotheca fusca) como agente responsable del oídio de la caléndula en Mendoza.

Sustrato y dosis de fertirriego en la aclimatización de vitroplantas de Agave americana var. oaxacencis

Con la finalidad de asegurar la adaptación en invernadero de plantas de Agave americana var. oaxacensis obtenidas in vitro, se evaluó el efecto de sustratos y dosis de fertirriego en la aclimatización y crecimiento de 180 plantas. Este trabajo se realizó en un invernadero del Instituto Tecnológico del Valle de Oaxaca, México, a principios de 2012. Se utilizaron plantas recién salidas del laboratorio. El experimento se estableció según el diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial 2 (sustratos: arena y perlita) x 5 (fertilización: 1, 25, 50, 75 y 100%). La unidad experimental fue una planta en un recipiente de plástico de 150 cm3 con 18 repeticiones. La fertilización se basó en la solución universal de Steiner y diariamente cada planta recibió a nivel de sustrato 10 mL durante 12 semanas. Se evaluó el crecimiento en hojas, tallo y raíz, realizando análisis de varianza y prueba de medias (Tukey, α = 0,05). Todas las plantas se adaptaron, pero aquellas plantas establecidas en perlita lograron los mejores crecimientos en área foliar, volumen de raíz, peso fresco total, materia seca de raíz y total de planta. El tamaño de las plantas al término de su aclimatación estuvo en relación con la cantidad de nutrimentos de la solución nutritiva.

Pressure core barrel characteristics and composition of gases at DSDP Site 76-533

A pressure core barrel (PCB), developed by the Deep Sea Drilling Project, was used successfully to recover, at in situ pressure, sediments of the Blake Outer Ridge, offshore the southeastern United States. The PCB is a unique, wire-line tool, 10.4 m long, capable of recovering 5.8 m of core (5.8 cm in diameter), maintained at or below in situ pressures of 34.4 million Pascals (MPa), and 1.8 m of unpressurized core (5.8 cm in diameter). All excess internal pressure above the operating pressure of 34.4 MPa is automatically vented off as the barrel is retrieved. The PCB was deployed five times at DSDP Site 533 where geophysical evidence suggests the presence of gas hydrates in the upper 600 m of sediment. Three cores were obtained holding average in situ pressures of 30 MPa. Two other cores did not maintain in situ pressures. Three of the five cores were intermittently degassed at varying intervals of time, and portions of the vented gas were collected for analysis. Pressure decline followed paths indicative of gas hydrates and/or dissolved gas. The released gas was dominantly methane (usually greater than 90%), along with higher molecular-weight hydrocarbon gases and carbon dioxide. During degassing the ratio of methane to ethane did not vary significantly. On the other hand, concentrations of higher molecular-weight hydrocarbon gases increased, as did carbon dioxide concentrations. The results from the PCB experiments provide tentative but equivocal evidence for the presence of .gas hydrates at Site 533. The amount of gas hydrate indicated is small. Nevertheless, this work represents the first successful study of marine gas hydrates utilizing the PCB.

Direct visualization of solute locations in laboratory ice samples, links to videos

Many important chemical reactions occur in polar snow, where solutes may be present in several reservoirs, including at the air-ice interface and in liquid-like regions within the ice matrix. Some recent laboratory studies suggest chemical reaction rates may differ in these two reservoirs. While investigations have examined where solutes are found in natural snow and ice, similar research has not identified solute locations in laboratory samples, nor the possible factors controlling solute segregation. To address this, we examined solute locations in ice samples prepared from either aqueous cesium chloride (CsCl) or Rose Bengal solutions that were frozen using several different methods. Samples frozen in a laboratory freezer had the largest liquid-like inclusions and air bubbles, while samples frozen in a custom freeze chamber had somewhat smaller air bubbles and inclusions; in contrast, samples frozen in liquid nitrogen showed much smaller concentrated inclusions and air bubbles, only slightly larger than the resolution limit of our images (~2 µm). Freezing solutions in plastic versus glass vials had significant impacts on the sample structure, perhaps because the poor heat conductivity of plastic vials changes how heat is removed from the sample as it cools. Similarly, the choice of solute had a significant impact on sample structure, with Rose Bengal solutions yielding smaller inclusions and air bubbles compared to CsCl solutions frozen using the same method. Additional experiments using higher-resolution imaging of an ice sample show that CsCl moves in a thermal gradient, supporting the idea that the solutes in ice are present in liquid-like regions. Our work shows that the structure of laboratory ice samples, including the location of solutes, is sensitive to freezing method, sample container, and solute characteristics, requiring careful experimental design and interpretation of results.

Geochemistry of gas hydrates of DSDP Hole 84-570

During Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Leg 84 a core 1 m long and 6 cm in diameter of massive gas hydrate was unexpectedly recovered at Site 570 in upper slope sediment of the Middle America Trench offshore of Guatemala. This core contained only 5-7% sediment, the remainder being the solid hydrate composed of gas and water. Samples of the gas hydrate were decomposed under controlled conditions in a closed container maintained at 4°C. Gas pressure increased and asymptotically approached the equilibrium decomposition pressure for an ideal methane hydrate, CH4.5-3/4H2O, of 3930 kPa and approached to this pressure after each time gas was released, until the gas hydrate was completely decomposed. The gas evolved during hydrate decomposition was 99.4% methane, ~0.2% ethane, and ~0.4% CO2. Hydrocarbons from propane to heptane were also present, but in concentrations of less than 100 p.p.m. The carbon-isotopic composition of methane was -41 to -44 per mil, relative to PDB standard. The observed volumetric methane/water ratio was 64 or 67, which indicates that before it was stored and analyzed, the gas hydrate probably had lost methane. The sample material used in the experiments was likely a mixture of methane hydrate and water ice. Formation of this massive gas hydrate probably involved the following processes: (i) upward migration of gas and its accumulation in a zone where conditions favored the growth of gas hydrates, (ii) continued, unusually rapid biological generation of methane, and (iii) release of gas from water solution as pressure decreased due to sea level lowering and tectonic uplift.

Thermal reaction norms of growth in Atlantic and Pacific silverside fishes

How organisms may adapt to rising global temperatures is uncertain, but concepts can emerge from studying adaptive physiological trait variations across existing spatial climate gradients. Many ectotherms, particularly fish, have evolved increasing genetic growth capacities with latitude (i.e. countergradient variation (CnGV) in growth), which are thought to be an adaptation primarily to strong gradients in seasonality. In contrast, evolutionary responses to gradients in mean temperature are often assumed to involve an alternative mode, 'thermal adaptation'. We measured thermal growth reaction norms in Pacific silverside populations (Atherinops affinis) occurring across a weak latitudinal temperature gradient with invariant seasonality along the North American Pacific coast. Instead of thermal adaptation, we found novel evidence for CnGV in growth, suggesting that CnGV is a ubiquitous mode of reaction-norm evolution in ectotherms even in response to weak spatial and, by inference, temporal climate gradients. A novel, large-scale comparison between ecologically equivalent Pacific versus Atlantic silversides (Menidia menidia) revealed how closely growth CnGV patterns reflect their respective climate gradients. While steep growth reaction norms and increasing growth plasticity with latitude in M. menidia mimicked the strong, highly seasonal Atlantic coastal gradient, shallow reaction norms and much smaller, latitude-independent growth plasticity in A. affinis resembled the weak Pacific latitudinal temperature gradient.

Metallic Fluence Monitors and J-value standards

Utilizing the neutron-irradiation parameter J is one of the major uncertainties in 40Ar/39Ar dating. The associated error of the individual J-value for a sample of unknown age depends on the accuracy of the age of the geological standards, the fast-neutron fluence distribution in the reactor and the distances between standards and samples during irradiation. While it is generally assumed that rotating irradiation evens out radial neutron fluence gradients, we observed axial and radial variations of the J-values in sample irradiations in the rotating channels of two reactors. To quantify them, we included three-dimensionally distributed metallic fast- (Ni) and thermal- (Co) neutron fluence monitors in three irradiations and geological age standards in three more. Two irradiations were carried out under Cd-shielding in the FRG1 reactor in Geesthacht, Germany, and four without Cd-shielding in the LVR-15 reactor in Rez, Czech Republic. The 58Ni(nf,p)58Co activation reaction and ?-spectrometry of the 811 keV peak associated with the subsequent decay of 58Co to 58Fe allow to calculate the fast-neutron fluence. The fast-neutron fluences at known positions in the irradiation container correlate with the J-values determined by mass-spectrometric 40Ar/39Ar measurements of the geological age standards. Ra-dial neutron fluence gradients are up to 1.8 %/cm in FRG1 and up to 2.2 %/cm in LVR-15; the corre-sponding axial gradients are up to 5.9 and 2.1 %/cm. We conclude that sample rotation might not al-ways suffice to meet the needs of high-precision dating and gradient monitoring can be crucial.

Oxygen isotopes and hydrocarbon composition of gas hydrate and hydrate water from ODP Leg 165 sites

Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 164 recovered a number of large solid gas hydrate from Sites 994, 996, and 997 on the Blake Ridge. Sites 994 and 997 samples, either nodular or thick massive pieces, were subjected to laboratory analysis and measurements to determine the structure, molecular and isotopic composition, thermal conductivity, and equilibrium dissociation conditions. X-ray computed tomography (CT) imagery, X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Raman spectroscopy have revealed that the gas hydrates recovered from the Blake Ridge are nearly 100% methane gas hydrate of Structure I, cubic with a lattice constant of a = 11.95 ± 0.05 angström, and a molar ratio of water to gas (hydration number) of 6.2. The d18O of water is 2.67 per mil to 3.51 per mil SMOW, which is 3.5-4.0 heavier than the ambient interstitial waters. The d13C and dD of methane are -66 per mil to -70 per mil and -201 per mil to -206 per mil, respectively, suggesting that the methane was generated through bacterial CO2 reduction. Thermal conductivity values of the Blake Ridge hydrates range from 0.3 to 0.5 W/(m K). Equilibrium dissociation experiments indicate that the three-phase equilibrium for the specimen is 3.27 MPa at 274.7 K. This is almost identical to that of synthetic pure methane hydrate in freshwater.

Development of bacterial and archaeal communities in erupted subsurface muds at the Håkon Mosby mud volcano

The microbial oxidation of methane controls the emission of the greenhouse gas methane from the ocean floor. However, some seabed structures such as mud volcanoes have leaky microbial methane filters and can be important sources of methane. We investigated the disturbance and recovery of a methanotrophic mud volcano microbiome (Håkon Mosby mud volcano, 1250 m water depth), to assess time scales of community succession and function in the natural deep-sea environment. We analyzed 10 surface and 5 subsurface sediment samples across HMMV mud flows from most recently discharged subsurface muds towards old consolidated muds as well as one reference site (REF) located approximately 0.5 km outside of the HMMV. Surface samples were obtained in 2003, 2009 and 2010. The surface of the new mud flows at the geographical center was sampled in 2009 and 2010. Around 100 m south of the center, we sampled more consolidated aged muds in 2003 and 2010. Old mud flows were sampled around 300 m southeast and 100 m north of the geographical center in 2003, 2009 and 2010. Surface sediment samples (0-20 cm) were recovered either by TV-guided Multicorer or by push cores using the remotely operated vehicle Quest (Marum, University Bremen). Subsurface sediments of all zones (>2 m below sea floor) were obtained in 2003 by gravity corer. After recovery, sediments were immediately subsampled in a refrigerated container (0°C) and further processed for biogeochemical analyses or preserved at -20°C for later DNA analyses. Our study show that freshly erupted muds hosted heterotrophic deep subsurface communities, which were replaced by surface communities within a few years of exposure. Aerobic methanotrophy was established at the top surface layer within less than a year, followed by anaerobic methanotrophy, sulfate reduction and finally thiotrophy. Our data indicate that it takes decades in cold environments before efficient methanotrophic communities establish to control methane emission. The observed succession provides insights to the response time of complex deep-sea communities to seafloor disturbances.

Registry of all samples from the Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013)

The Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013) sampled the world oceans on board a 36 m long schooner, collecting environmental data and organisms from viruses to planktonic metazoans for later analyses using modern sequencing and state-of-the-art imaging technologies. Tara Oceans Data are particularly suited to study the genetic, morphological and functional diversity of plankton. Data sets in this collection provide methodological and environmental context to all samples collected during the Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013).

Effect of import time on export patterns

This study examines how the importing process time affects export patterns at an establishment level. We first theoretically discuss the effects of import time on not only exports but also export shipment frequency and exports per shipment. Then, we derive some propositions regarding those effects. Next, by employing highly detailed customs data for Thailand from 2007 to 2011, we empirically investigate those propositions. In this study, the time to import is measured at an establishment level using the difference between the dates on which import shipments arrived in ports and then were released from the container yard. Our main finding is that a longer time reduces total exports, particularly through decreasing export frequency. Significantly negative effects on exports per shipment appear in some specific cases. A longer time to import also reduces total imports, particularly through decreasing import frequency.

Simulation of Freight Trains Equipped with Partially Filled Tank Containers and Related Resonance Phenomenon

To study the fluid motion-vehicle dynamics interaction, a model of four, liquid filled two-axle container freight wagons was set up. The railway vehicle has been modelled as a multi-body system (MBS). To include fluid sloshing, an equivalent mechanical model has been developed and incorporated. The influence of several factors has been studied in computer simulations, such as track defects, curve negotiation, train velocity, wheel wear, liquid and solid wagonload, and container baffles. SIMPACK has been used for MBS analysis, and ANSYS for liquid sloshing modelling and equivalent mechanical systems validation. Acceleration and braking manoeuvres of the freight train set the liquid cargo into motion. This longitudinal sloshing motion of the fluid cargo inside the tanks initiated a swinging motion of some components of the coupling gear. The coupling gear consists of UIC standard traction hooks and coupling screws that are located between buffers. One of the coupling screws is placed in the traction hook of the opposite wagon thus joining the two wagons, whereas the unused coupling screw rests on a hanger. Simulation results showed that, for certain combinations of type of liquid, filling level and container dimensions, the liquid cargo could provoke an undesirable, although not hazardous, release of the unused coupling screw from its hanger. The coupling screw's release was especially obtained when a period of acceleration was followed by an abrupt braking manoeuvre at 1 m/s2. It was shown that a resonance effect between the liquid's oscillation and the coupling screw's rotary motion could be the reason for the coupling screw's undesired release. Possible solutions to avoid the phenomenon are given.Acceleration and braking manoeuvres of the freight train set the liquid cargo into motion. This longitudinal sloshing motion of the fluid cargo inside the tanks initiated a swinging motion of some components of the coupling gear. The coupling gear consists of UIC standard traction hooks and coupling screws that are located between buffers. One of the coupling screws is placed in the traction hook of the opposite wagon thus joining the two wagons, whereas the unused coupling screw rests on a hanger. This paper reports on a study of the fluid motion-train vehicle dynamics interaction. In the study, a model of four, liquid-filled two-axle container freight wagons was developed. The railway vehicle has been modeled as a multi-body system (MBS). To include fluid sloshing, an equivalent mechanical model has been developed and incorporated. The influence of several factors has been studied in computer simulations, such as track defects, curve negotiation, train velocity, wheel wear, liquid and solid wagonload, and container baffles. A simulation program was used for MBS analysis, and a finite element analysis program was used for liquid sloshing modeling and equivalent mechanical systems validation. Acceleration and braking maneuvers of the freight train set the liquid cargo into motion. This longitudinal sloshing motion of the fluid cargo inside the tanks initiated a swinging motion of some components of the coupling gear. Simulation results showed that, for certain combinations of type of liquid, filling level and container dimensions, the liquid cargo could provoke an undesirable, although not hazardous, release of an unused coupling screw from its hanger. It was shown that a resonance effect between the liquid's oscillation and the coupling screw's rotary motion could be the reason for the coupling screw's undesired release. Solutions are suggested to avoid the resonance problem, and directions for future research are given.