Effect of soil composition, temperature, indigenous microflora, and environmental conditions on the survival ofEscherichia coliO157:H7

2007 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 822-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinisa Vidovic ◽  
Hushton C. Block ◽  
Darren R. Korber

The survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in replicate soil microcosms was quantified in 2 types of silty clay loam soil (high carbon and low carbon) under either sterile or nonsterile conditions. Microcosms were held at –21, 4, and 22 °C under constant soil moisture content. Differences existed (P < 0.05) in survival of E. coli O157:H7 in low- and high-carbon soil at all temperatures, indicating an important role of soil composition on the survival of this pathogen. The highest death rate of E. coli O157:H7 in sterile soil occurred in the low-carbon soil at 4 °C, whereas in nonsterile soil the highest death rate was observed in the low-carbon soil at 22 °C. These results suggest that the most lethal effects on E. coli O157:H7 in the sterile system occurred via the synergy of nutrient limitation and cold stress, whereas in the nonsterile system lethality was owing to inhibition by indigenous soil microorganisms and starvation. Results obtained from an in situ field survival experiment demonstrated the apparent sensitivity of E. coli O157:H7 cells to dehydration, information that may be used to reduce environmental spread of this pathogen as well as formulate appropriate waste management strategies.

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafida Zaher ◽  
Jean Caron

The slaking process after rapid wetting is a key factor controlling soil structural stability in dry soil, and an understanding of the relative importance of the different mechanisms involved in slaking may help in the design of management strategies aimed at maintaining a stable surface soil structure. Slaking has been linked to, among other factors, rapid pressure build-up in aggregate, and previous work has emphasized the role of organic matter to hamper that pressure build-up, possibly due to hydrophobicity, reducing rapid water entry within aggregates and hence the build-up. This study emphasizes this latter aspect linked to slaking. The evolution of the intra-aggregate pressure, the matter lost by slaking and the expelled air after rapid wetting of two soils of different textures (clay loam soil and silty-clay loam soil) amended with different types of paper sludge were studied. Hydrophobicity effects were also studied using a tensio-active solution. The results of these experiments showed that when aggregates were submitted to sudden wetting, those treated with paper sludge had an improved resistance to the destructive action of rapid wetting. The lower pressures measured in the aggregates from the amended soils and having less slaking resulted most likely from slow water entry and reduced swelling. Detailed investigation on the link between hydrophobicity and water entry revealed that the true hydrophobic effect (modification of contact angle) was non-existent for the silty-clay loam and minor for the clay loam. This study, rather, suggests that changes in the water potential at the wetting front following organic matter addition and aggregate immersion most likely depend on pore occlusion and on changes in pore surface roughness. Key words: Aggregate stability, organic matter, slaking, pressure, swelling, wettability


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Stoll-Kleemann ◽  
Tim O’Riordan

This paper reassesses the scope for shifting high-carbon personal behaviors in the light of prevailing insufficient political and regulatory action. Our previous research has shown that citizens regard such behavioral shifts as extremely daunting and create a number of psychological denial mechanisms that draw attention to the inaction of others, including governments. Further theoretical insights and relevant new findings have been attained from a more recent survey of more than 1000 German residents. This reveals that direct denial of anthropogenic climate change is replaced by a denial of responsibility for individual climate action. Ways of moral disengagement play a more dominant role, such as the diffusion and displacement of responsibility, although a majority is aware of—and very much concerned about—the climate crisis. More attention needs to be given for further reinterpretation of the role of moral disengagement to single out adequate strategies for different individuals and groups of people, such as making role models more visible to encourage social learning that could accelerate further necessary moral and behavioral transformations.


1988 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Germida ◽  
George G. Khachatourians

Bacteriophage P1-mediated generalized transduction of Escherichia coli K-12 was assessed in nonsterile soil. Auxotrophic recipient cells (thr−leu−thi−rpsL) were incubated in a sandy and a silty clay loam soil, and the transducing phage lysates from prototrophic strains carrying transposon 10 (Tn10) in either purE or aroL regions were added. At intervals, the bacterial populations derived from the soils were plated on selective-differential media to enumerate prototrophic (thr+, leu+, or Tcr) transductants. Of 100 bacterial isolates obtained on the selective-differential media, 58 (14 thr+; 11, leu+; 33 Tcr) were confirmed E. coli transductants. The frequency of transduction in soil was ca. 10−6. These data demonstrate the potential use of bacteriophage P1 to genetically manipulate E. coli in situ.


Author(s):  
F. A. Khalid ◽  
D. V. Edmonds

The austenite/pearlite growth interface in a model alloy steel (Fe-1lMn-0.8C-0.5V nominal wt%) is being studied in an attempt to characterise the morphology and mechanism of VC precipitation at the growth interface. In this alloy pearlite nodules can be grown isothermally in austenite that remains stable at room temperature thus facilitating examination of the transformation interfaces. This study presents preliminary results of thin foil TEM of the precipitation of VC at the austenite/ferrite interface, which reaction, termed interphase precipitation, occurs in a number of low- carbon HSLA and microalloyed medium- and high- carbon steels. Some observations of interphase precipitation in microalloyed low- and medium- carbon commercial steels are also reported for comparison as this reaction can be responsible for a significant increase in strength in a wide range of commercial steels.The experimental alloy was made as 50 g argon arc melts using high purity materials and homogenised. Samples were solution treated at 1300 °C for 1 hr and WQ. Specimens were then solutionised at 1300 °C for 15 min. and isothermally transformed at 620 °C for 10-18hrs. and WQ. Specimens of microalloyed commercial steels were studied in either as-rolled or as- forged conditions. Detailed procedures of thin foil preparation for TEM are given elsewhere.


1973 ◽  
Vol 29 (02) ◽  
pp. 353-362
Author(s):  
J Lisiewicz ◽  
A Pituch ◽  
J. A Litwin

SummaryThe local Sanarelli-Shwartzman phenomenon (SSP-L) in the skin of 30 rats was induced by an intr a cutaneous sensitizing injection of leukaemic leucocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AL) and chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CGL) and challenged by an intravenous injection of 100(μ of E. coli endotoxin. SSP-L was observed in 7 rats after injection of CLL lymphocytes and in 6 and 2 rats after AL myeloblasts and the CGL granulocytes, respectively. The lesions in the skin after AL myeloblasts appeared in a shorter time and were of longer duration compared with those observed after CLL lymphocytes and CGL granulocytes. Histologically, the lesions consisted of areas of destruction in the superficial layers of the skin ; the demarcation line showed the presence of neutrophils, macrophages and erythrocytes. Haemorrhages and fibrin deposits near the demarcation line were larger after injection of CLL lymphocytes and AL myeloblasts than after CGL granulocytes. The possible role of leucocyte procoagulative substances in the differences observed have been discussed.


Author(s):  
Mohammed Aajmi Salman ◽  
Jawad A. Kamal Al-Shibani

Beneficial microorganisms play a key role in the availability of ions minerals in the soil and use Randomized Complete Block Desing ( R.C.B.D ). The objective of this paper to the study effect of the of biofertilizer and miniral treatments on availability of NPK for crop corn zea mays L.Two types of biofertilizer are Bacterial Bacillus subtilis and Fungal Trichoderma harianum. Three levels of potassium fertilizer are (2.9533, 0.4000 and 2.9533). A field experiment in fall season of 2018 Has been conducted in silty clay loam soil. The experimental Results indicated that Bacillus and Trichoderma inoculation separately or together Have made a significant effect to increase in the availability of N P K in the soil compare to other treatments. The grain yield is where (2.9533, 0.4000 and 2.9533) of bacterial and fungal bio-fertilizer and potassium fertilizers respectively as compared to the control.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (Spring 2019) ◽  
pp. 215-231
Author(s):  
Mussarat J. Khan ◽  
Seemab Rasheed

The purpose of present study is to examine the role of learning strategies as moderator between meta-cognitive awareness and study habits among university students. Sample comprises of 200 students (100 male students and 100 female students) of various universities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi with age ranging from 18-25 years. In order to assess study variables questionnaires were used included Meta-Cognitive Awareness Inventory (Schraw & Dennison, 1994) measuring two-components of meta-cognition that are knowledge and regulation of cognition. Study habits demonstrated by the students were measured by the Study Habits Inventory (Wrenn, 1941). Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (Pintrich, Smith, Garcia, & McKeachie, 1991) which includes motivation and learning strategies scales. In the present study, only the learning strategies section was utilized, which measures the cognitive strategies and resource management strategies. Results revealed positive correlation between research instruments and are also having good reliability. Regression analysis reflected that meta-cognitive awareness predicts study habits among university students. Regression analysis also suggested that learning strategies including resource management strategies and cognitive strategies significantly moderates the relationship between meta-cognitive awareness and study habits. It is also explored gender differences on learning strategies, meta-cognitive awareness and study habits. Future implications of the study were also discussed.


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