Evidence for metabolic activity of airborne bacteria

Aerosols of the bacterium Serratia marcescens, and of uniformly labeled C-14 glucose were produced simultaneously and mixed in tubing leading to an aerosol chamber. During a subsequent period of about 5 hrs, carbon dioxide was produced metabolically within the chamber, and labeled material incorporated within the suspended particles first increased then decreased. This constitutes the first direct evidence of microbial metabolism of bacteria suspended in the air

Release of bacterial spores from inner walls of a stainless steel cup subjected to thermal stress

In an earlier report thermal stresses, simulating those expected on a Mars Lander, dislodged approximately 0.01% of an aerosol deposited surface burden, as did a landing shock of 8-10 G deceleration. This work confirms earlier results and demonstrates that release rate is not dependent on surface burden

A simple method for estimation of coagulation efficiency in mixed aerosols

Aerosols of KBr and AgNO3 were mixed, exposed to light in a glass tube and collected in the dark. About 15% of the collected material was reduced to silver upon development. Thus, two aerosols of particles that react to form a photo-reducible compound can be used to measure coagulation efficiency

Possibility of growth of airborne microbes in the Jovian atmosphere

Efforts to show growth activity of anaerobic bacteria in aerosolized particles suspended in anaerobic gas (N2) are described. Evidence of spore generation in nitrogen was obtained. Results are discussed

Studies on propagation of microbes in the airborne state

C-14 metabolic studies on an aerosol mixture of Escherichia coli and a coliphage are indicative of phage production

Evidence for metabolic activity of airborne bacteria

Aerosols of the bacterium Serratia marcescens, and of uniformly labelled C-14 glucose, were created simultaneously and mixed in tubing leading to an aerosol chamber. During a subsequent period of about 5 hrs, C-14O2 was produced unequivocally within the chamber, and insoluble, labelled material within the suspended particles first increased, then decreased

Studies on possible propagation of microbial contamination in planetary atmospheres

Maintained aerosols were studied to demonstrate the metabolism and propagation of microbes in clouds which could occur in the course of a probe of a planetary atmosphere. Bacteriophage was used as a tool to test whether the mechanisms for DNA production remain intact and functional within the airborne bacterial cell. In one test method, bacteria were mixed with coliphage in an atomizer to allow attachment before aerosolization; in another, two suspensions were atomized saperately into a common air stream prior to aerosolization. Results show that biochemical and physiological mechanisms to allow aerobic microbes to propagate in the airborne state do exist

Evaluation of the Admissions Process at Portland State University School of Social Work : Prediction and Performance

The purpose of this research practicum is to determine the predictability of an admissions rating instrument and the effectiveness of the admission process in assessing potential of individuals seeking admission to the School of Social Work, Portland State University, Fall Term, 1972. The study is based on the hypothesis that the instrument in question is an accurate predictor of student performance at the graduate level. Research was completed through a survey of the literature and an examination of the correlation between student ratings at admission and ratings of actual performances. The method of data collection was to request class and field instructors to rate student performance on the identical instrument utilized by the school admissions panel. Parallels were then drawn to determine to what extent members of the admissions panel were able to pre-judge student success according to the graduate standards delineated by the instrument

Insulating board from short asbestos fibre

Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye