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At least 253 records · Page 14

Antibiotic resistance and host immune system-induced metal bactericidal control are key factors for microbial persistence in the developing human preterm infant gut microbiome

The human gut microbiome, which develops and stabilizes during the early stages of infant life, plays an essential role in host health through the production of metabolic resources and the stimulation and training of the immune system. To study colonization and community functional dynamics of the microbiota based on responses to host immune processes during the normal and dysbiotic establishment of the gut, metaproteomics was conducted on 91 fecal samples collected over the first 90 days of life from 17 hospitalized premature infants. Microbial responses to antibiotic administration and host-imposed metal bactericidal control correlated with community assembly and resiliency of microbes in the developing preterm gut. Specifically, proteins related to antibiotic resistance and metal homeostasis mechanisms were predominant in persisting members in the infant gut environment over the first several weeks of life. Overall, this metaproteomics study provides a unique approach to examine the temporal expansion and resilience of microbial colonization, as it allows simultaneous examination of both host and microbial metabolic activities. Understanding the interplay between host and microbes may elucidate the microbiome’s potential immunomodulatory roles relevant to necrotizing enterocolitis and other dysbiotic conditions in preterm infants.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Genomic Diversity and Phenotypic Variation in Fungal Decomposers Involved in Bioremediation of Persistent Organic Pollutants

Fungi work as decomposers to break down organic carbon, deposit recalcitrant carbon, and transform other elements such as nitrogen. The decomposition of biomass is a key function of wood-decaying basidiomycetes and ascomycetes, which have the potential for the bioremediation of hazardous chemicals present in the environment. Due to their adaptation to different environments, fungal strains have a diverse set of phenotypic traits. This study evaluated 320 basidiomycetes isolates across 74 species for their rate and efficiency of degrading organic dye. We found that dye-decolorization capacity varies among and within species. Among the top rapid dye-decolorizing fungi isolates, we further performed genome-wide gene family analysis and investigated the genomic mechanism for their most capable dye-degradation capacity. Class II peroxidase and DyP-type peroxidase were enriched in the fast-decomposer genomes. Gene families including lignin decomposition genes, reduction-oxidation genes, hydrophobin, and secreted peptidases were expanded in the fast-decomposer species. This work provides new insights into persistent organic pollutant removal by fungal isolates at both phenotypic and genotypic levels.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Temporal persistence of postfire flood hazards under present and future climate conditions in southern Arizona, USA

Changes to soil hydraulic properties that reduce infiltration capacity following fire can increase flash flood risks. These risks are exacerbated by rainfall intensification associated with a warming climate. However, the potential effects of climate-change-driven rainfall intensification on postfire floods remain largely unexplored. Using rainfall and runoff observations from a 49.4 km 2 watershed in southern Arizona, USA, and a hydrologic model (KINEROS2), we examined the temporal evolution following a historic fire of three crucial hydrologic parameters: soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (K sp ), net capillary drive (G p ), and hydraulic roughness (n c ). We explored how the effect of fire on these parameters may influence peak flow under future climate scenarios derived from CMIP6, specifically the medium emissions scenario (SSP2-4.5) and high emissions scenario (SSP5-8.5). Results demonstrate an increase in K sp from 11 mm h −1 in the first postfire year to 60 mm h −1 in postfire year 3. G p similarly increased from 19 mm in the first postfire year to 30 mm in the third, while nc was relatively constant. The highest simulated Q p occurred in the first postfire year. Under the SSP2-4.5 scenario, the likelihood of a 100-year flood is projected to be twice as large by the middle of the century relative to its historical magnitude. Simulations further indicate that the maximum expected discharge associated with a postfire flood, as derived from historical data, could be triggered by a 10-year rainstorm under the SSP5-8.5 scenario by the late century. Simulations also demonstrate that rainfall intensification will lead to greater persistence of elevated flood hazards following fire by the late century under both the SSP2-4.5 and the SSP5-8.5 scenarios.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A case study of persistent, intense, clear air turbulence in an upper level frontal zone.

Widespread and persistent clear air turbulence (CAT) occurred over the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. between New York and South Carolina on 18 March 1969. The major synoptic features and a qualitative discussion of the factors contributing to the development of the large vertical wind shears associated with the turbulence are presented. The turbulent region in the vicinity of Wallops Island, Va., was probed with a NASA T-33 research aircraft and with sensitive radars. The clear air radar echoes and the most intense turbulence occurred principally within an upper level frontal zone of about 2 km depth which was produced by the confluence of two currents of widely different origin.

Reed, R. J.↗

Persistence and decay of wake vorticity

Some recent research relating to the nature of the lift-induced vortex wakes behind large aircraft was reviewed and the scaling laws that permit a comparison of results from ground facilities with those from flight test were provided. The maximum rotational velocities in the wake are shown to depend on a span loading shape parameter and on a characteristic length of persistence behind the aircraft. The effects of Reynolds number are also shown.

Roberts, L.↗

Persistent pressure anisotropy in the subsonic magnetosheath region

Observations of proton fluxes in the subsonic flow region of the magnetosheath show double peaks as a function of angle in the equatorial plane of the spacecraft. The peaks are separated by a wide angle, usually more than 90 deg. Suggestions of double flux peaks are present in 95 per cent of the data. They are interpreted as the effect of a persistent pressure anisotropy. The clearest cases were analyzed to determine the orientation of the flux peaks relative to the magnetic field and direction of a model hydrodynamic flow. The peaks are shown to be consistent with a greater pressure perpendicular to the field. Possible sources of the pressure anisotropy in the magnetosheath are discussed.

Crooker, N. U.↗

Existence of a persistent background of turbulence

A plausible scenario for the existence of a persistent back-ground of turbulence in the free atmosphere is described. The MST radar technique is the only existing technique that can be used to describe the morphology of occurrence of turbulence as a function of altitude, wind speed, shear, weather conditions, geographical location, etc. This technique was used also to assess the degree of universality of shape and amplitude of the buoyancy wave spectrum and the relation between the buoyancy wave spectrum and turbulence.

Vanzandt, T. E.↗

Persistent anomalies of the Southern Hemisphere circulation

The persistent features of large anomalies have been examined and the locations of blocking in the Southern Hemisphere were determined. The data set used here contains daily maps of 500 mb geopotential heights for 100 months (June 1, 1972 to Nov. 30, 1980) covering from 10S to 90S. The seasonal cycle was defined as a 8 year mean and the 8th (annual) and 16th (semiannual) Fourier components of the time series at each grid point. Anomalies were defined as the difference between the total field and the seasonal cycle for each grid point.

Mo, K. C.↗

Development of a Persistent Chemical Agent Simulator System (PCASS)

The development of a persistent chemical agent simulation system (PCASS) is described. This PCASS is to be used for the military training of troops to simulate actual chemical warfare. The purpose of this system is to facilitate in the determination of chemical contamination and effectiveness of decontamination for training purposes. The fluorescent tracer employed has no daylight activation, but yet is easily removed with a decontaminate solution or water and surfactants. Also employed is a time delayed color developing system. When an individual is subjected to the PCASS and does not decontaminate adequately, red blotches or red coloration will develop as a function of time and temperature. The intent of this is to simulate the delayed chemical reaction of mustard contaminates.

Mcginness, W. G.↗

Preliminary characterization of persisting circadian rhythms during space flight

In order to evaluate the function of the circadian timing system in space, the circadian rhythm of conidiation of the fungus Neurospora crassa was monitored in constant darkness on the STS 9 flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia. During the first 7 days of spaceflight many tubes showed a marked reduction in the apparent amplitude of the conidiation rhythm, and some cultures appeared arrhythmic. There was more variability in the growth rate and circadian rhythms of individual cultures in space than is usually seen on earth. The results of this experiment indicate that while the circadian rhythm of Neurospora conidiation can persist outside of the earth's environment, either the timekeeping process or its expression is altered in space.

Sultzman, F. M.↗

Persistent time intervals between features in solar flare hard X-ray emission

Several solar hard X-ray events (greater than 100 keV) were observed simultaneously with identical instruments on the Venera 11, 12, 13, 14, and Prognoz spacecraft. High time resolution (= 2 ms) data were stored in memory when a trigger occurred. The observations of modulation are presented with a period of 1.6 s for the event on December 3, 1978. Evidence is also presented for fast time fluctuations from an event on November 6, 1979, observed from Venera 12 and another on September 6, 1981, observed from the Solar Maximum Mission. Power spectrum analysis, epoch folding, and Monte Carlo simulation were used to evaluate the statistical significance of persistent time delays between features. The results are discussed in light of the MHD model proposed by Zaitsev and Stepanov.

Desai, Upendra D.↗

A spectral study of the persistent X-ray flux from 4 U/MXB 1636-53

A spectral analysis of the persistent X-ray flux from the X-ray burst source 4 U/MXB 1636-53, which was continuously observed with EXOSAT for about 25 h in May, 1984, is presented. It is found that no standard one-component spectral model provides an acceptable representation of all the data. However, almost all 'complex one-component' and 'two-component' models do accurately fit the data. A blackbody plus a 'multicolor' disk spectrum does not fit these data. In addition, some 'two-component' spectral models can be fitted to the data with more than one set of different parameter values. Based on these results, it is suggested that the various physical scenarios that have been proposed to interpret 'two-component' spectra of low-mass X-ray binaries may be based on mathematical parameterizations which may not provide unique representations of the data. If this is the case, the reported 'two-component' mathematical fits may not have any true physical significance.

Vacca, W. D.↗

Classification, seasonality and persistence of low-frequency atmospheric circulation patterns

The seasonality and persistence of the major modes of interannual variability in the low-frequency atmospheric circulation were studied using orthogonally rotated principle component analysis (RPCA) of Northern Hemisphere 1-month mean 700 mb heights. The twice-daily data for the 1950-1984 period were used. Winter results are similar to those of other recent RPCA and teleconnection studies. The strongest summer pattern is the North Atlantic Oscillation, which is also the strongest winter pattern; it systematically contracts northward in summer and expands southward in winter, being the only pattern found for every month of the year. The robustness of the RPCA results was examined through consistency with results of other studies and of adjacent month solutions within this study, as well as by replicating the results using 3-month and 10-day means of 700-mb height. It is concluded that the RPCA method provides a physically meaningful and statistically stable product with the simplicity of teleconnection patterns but with superior pattern choice and depiction.

Barnston, Anthony G.↗

A survey of the cosmic ray diurnal variation during 1973-1979. I - Persistence of solar diurnal variation. II - Application of diffusion-convection model to diurnal anisotropy data

An analysis of data obtained with the vertical underground muon telescope at Embudo, NM shows that the solar diurnal variation in cosmic ray intensity is a persistent phenomenon over the 1973-1979 period. Assuming that the daily fluctuations in the amplitude and phase of the diurnal variation are random perturbations about the mean vector, the relative magnitude of the random component is determined. In the second part, the Diffusion-Convection model of cosmic ray transport is applied to high rigidity particles detected at the earth in order to deduce the behavior of the heliospheric transport parameters between 1973 and 1979. It is suggested that the diurnal variation observed at Embudo during 1979 may require a contribution from the charged particle drifts.

Riker, J. F.↗