Cephamycin Resistance in Clinical Isolates and Laboratory-derived Strains of Escherichia coli, Nova Scotia, Canada

AmpC β-lactamase, altered porins, or both are usually responsible for cefoxitin resistance in Escherichia coli. We examined the relative importance of each. We studied 18 strains of clinical isolates with reduced cefoxitin susceptibility and 10 initially-susceptible strains passaged through cefoxitin-gradient plates. Of 18 wild-resistant strains, 9 had identical promoter mutations (including creation of a consensus 17-bp spacer) and related pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns; the other 9 strains were unrelated. Nine strains had attenuator mutations; two strains did not express OmpC or OmpF. After serial passage, 8 of 10 strains developed cefoxitin resistance, none developed promoter or attenuator mutations, 6 lost both the OmpC and OmpF porin proteins, and 1 showed decreased production of both. One strain had neither porin alteration or increased AmpC production. Porin mutants may occur more commonly and be less fit and less inclined to spread or cause disease than strains with increased β-lactamase expression

Water sources to floodplain wetlands in the Lambourn catchment

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Revealing the temporal dynamics of subsurface temperature in a wetland using time-lapse geophysics

There is growing recognition of the need to understand the subsurface hydrological mechanisms within wetlands, given their potentially significant role in the hydrological and biogeochemical function of catchments, as well as their effects on the wetland habitat itself. Conventional subsurface hydrological sampling and monitoring techniques are often limited in such environments because of the invasive nature of such approaches and the sensitivity of the environment. As with other areas of subsurface hydrology, there is widespread appreciation of the value of using geophysical surveys to compliment observations from direct sampling. In this study we use ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) to characterise the stratigraphy at a small riparian wetland site. Then, through time-lapse ERT measurements over a 12 month period, we demonstrate how changes in resistivity may provide additional value about localised recharge, through inferred changes in subsurface temperature. Although we focus here on one 2-D vertical profile through the wetland, the results highlight the potential value of non-invasive time-lapse geoelectrical surveys for mapping 3-D thermal patterns within a wetland environment

Adding a New Audience to Deep-Sea Research: Making a Splash with Elementary School Children

WhaleTimes, Inc. partnered with grant-funded (GoMRI (DEEPEND Consortium) and NSF) scientists to bring two different deep-sea research projects to life in classrooms and summer camps. These educational partnerships focused on creating and providing education programs for kindergarten to 6th grade (k-6). K-6 audiences are often overlooked within Outreach/Education grant goals because of the challenges in presenting high level, complex concepts in engaging age-appropriate formats. Our unique approach brought that science to life, raised awareness of the deep-sea habitat, and inspired young children to think about STEM topics and careers. The programs were tailored to the specific research projects being funded, connected younger students with the scientists and their research in novel ways, and produced curricula that teachers could incorporate into their STEM curriculum. The programs and accompanying curricula also helped teachers provide a rich science experience for their classrooms and create a framework for expansion of discovery. Inclusion of k-6 students in on-going research is essential in creating lifelong STEM learners and citizens who understand why and how ocean research is essential to understanding ecosystems, animals, and protecting the ocean

Recovery of cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella from pork, beef and chicken marketed in Nova Scotia

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial use in farm animals is a potentially important contributor to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Resistant Salmonella may lead to serious human infections and resistant Escherichia coli may transfer plasmid-encoded resistance genes to other pathogens

Inviting Learners to the DEEPEND: A Team Approach to Successful Outreach and Education

The DEEPEND Consortium has taken a three-pronged approach to outreach during its 5-year tenure: 1) informal and formal science education (e.g., curriculum development, ‘virtual’ expeditions, educator training); 2) public outreach (e.g., aquarium, zoo, and natural history museum partnerships); and 3) shareholder outreach (e.g., presentations at fisheries management meetings, focused webinars, and scientific conferences). The multi-faceted approach allowed us to introduce DEEPEND research and discoveries to different types of audiences and age groups. Lessons we learned include the need for original imagery, publicizing the research, and the enthusiastic support and participation of science team members in outreach and education endeavors. An initial lesson learned was the importance of showing audiences something they have not seen before. In our case that involved craning a lab-van-turned-studio onto the bow of the ship for use by a dedicated and experienced photographer on every cruise. Photos and videos lead to the second lesson, make the images available as educational tools and promotional materials. Audiences formed important connections to the deep sea and the interest of editors was more likely to be piqued with exciting image accompanying the story. The third lesson was to share the research as broadly as possible. Incorporating multiple outlets at all levels to share the teams’ science proved particularly effective. The final lesson, all science team members are an essential and integral part of outreach and education. There was no shortage of ideas or DEEPEND Team Members willing to lead the charge for this important component of the DEEPEND mission. Their participation helped engage audiences and create a connection to the research, researchers, and ecosystem. Session discussion will focus on what we have learned through this endeavor, the lessons learned on our path to successful E/O initiatives, and how to engage a science team thoroughly at the outset

DEEPEND: Diving into Education at All Depths

Effective education and outreach capacity is essential for science communication to students, resource managers, stakeholders, and the public at large. The DEEPEND Consortium has developed a multisectoral education/outreach program to affect this communication. The Consortium has an integrated approach to convey the foundational concepts of DEEPEND projects (community ecology, from microbes to large fishes; animal mapping with acoustics; food web studies; monitoring of important oceanic fisheries (e.g., tuna); genetic studies to understand diversity; contaminant studies, using advanced biochemistry; and advanced oceanographic studies to understand open ocean habitats). An educational partnership with WhaleTimes, Inc. has focused on K-6 education through “virtual missions” with the DEEPEND team, reaching over 10,000 students to date. Deep-sea teacher workshops are the focus of Grade 8-12 educators, which includes “Teacher-at-sea” experience on every DEEPEND research cruise. An animated DEEPEND mascot, Squirt the Squid, delivers educational messages to children and adults of all ages. Management, stakeholder, and public outreach components include: presentations at scientific and management meetings (e.g., SeaGrant, Ocean Sciences); public engagement at special events (e.g., fishing tournaments, charity events); media engagement with reporters (magazine, newspapers, and radio), highlight stories with editors (e.g., Sport Fishing Magazine) and federal entities (e.g., Smithsonian Institution Ocean Portal); documentary participation (e.g., BBC Oceans, GoMRI documentaries); DEEPEND educational displays at zoos and aquaria (e.g., San Antonio Zoo, Oregon Coast Aquarium); online products in the form of project synopses and education modules; and printed materials, which are distributed freely