Since the development of the first antibiotic in the early 20th century, antibiotic resistance has become one of the greatest challenges faced by clinicians and public health experts in modern history. Previous research has demonstrated an exchange of antibiotic resistance between livestock and environmental microbiomes, as well as human and livestock microbiomes. The goals of this study were to investigate a similar relationship between human and environmental microbiomes using antibiotic growth media and polymerase chain reaction assays. Soil samples were collected from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in north New Mexico. Tetracycline resistance assays were used to quantify the percentage of colony-forming units (CFUs) in each sample that demonstrated resistance to tetracycline to determine if collection sites with higher amounts of human foot traffic showed higher levels of resistance. PCR and gel electrophoresis were applied to test for the presence of four common tetracycline resistance genes (tet(A), tet(B), tet(D), and tet(E)) in the high-traffic samples. Samples taken from the high and moderate-traffic sites showed statistically significant levels of resistance, while the low-traffic site did not. Additionally, the high-traffic site demonstrated levels of tetracycline resistance that were greater than both moderate and low-traffic sites. Five samples tested positive for tet(A), and five tested positive for tet(E). No samples tested positive for either tet(B) or tet(D). These results indicate a correlation between human foot traffic and tetracycline resistance in soil samples.
Few rivers in the United States are more infamous than Ohio's Cuyahoga River. Its waters, which were once characterized as oozing--not flowing--in the 1960s became the impetus for the Clean Water Act of 1972 following publicity on a series of fires. Returning fauna to the Cuyahoga River has become a major focus especially of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CUVA), which notes that fish populations and water quality have improved but that no natural recovery offreshwater mussels has occurred even within extensive protected parklands. Collaborating with multiple stakeholders, pilot projects tested whether the river is satisfactory for mussel survival and growth. In the first round of testing, adult Ortmanniana ligamentina (muckets) from a nearby river were inserted into wire cages spread across 3 locations within the Cuyahoga River, and their survival was monitored over a period of 70 days. A second round of testing examined the survival and growth of hatchery-reared 1-year old Lampsilis siliquoidea (fatmuckets) inserted into small mesh silos placed in 5 locations within the Cuyahoga River over a period of 105 days. The second set of tests also measured the survival of resident mussels in a control location in the Grand River, Ohio, where mussels are abundant. Almost all of the adult O. ligamentina mussels survived, except where sediment inundated the enclosures, and the survival of the juvenile L. siliquoidea mussels approached 60% with 16% linear growth in a 105 day period, matching results at the control site. Thus, water quality and food resources, which were also assessed by chemical and particulate analysis, appeared sufficient to consider reintroducing mussels to selected sites within the Cuyahoga River.
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are common antiretroviral HIV medications, targeting the function of reverse transcriptase (RT), a protein designed to transcribe viral RNA into DNA. An emerging problem is the development of resistance against such medications. For example, the K65R mutation in RT has been shown to decrease the binding affinity of RT to the NRTI tenofovir, while conserving affinity to tenofovir’s nucleotide analog, adenosine. This has been associated with the decreased distance between the guanidinium planes of residues 65 (R65) and 72 (R72) and, alternatively, with the increased distance between tenofovir and DNA already bound to RT. These theories have never been tested. This study aims to evaluate these theories through computational methods. Mutations were generated within the β3 β4 loop of K65R-mutant reverse transcriptase (accessed from the Protein Data Bank). For each mutation introduced, data was recorded on the distance between the R65 and R72 guanidinium planes, as well as the distance between RT-bound ligand and RT-bound DNA. In addition, the binding affinity of ligands tenofovir and adenosine to RT was calculated through the docking software Autodock Vina. After 95 mutations, linear correlations indicated that the binding affinity of tenofovir to R65/R72 increased with the decreased distance between the guanidinium planes of R65/R72, contrary to previous literature. In addition, a significant, increasing relationship was seen between binding affinity and the increased distance between either tenofovir and adenosine and RT-bound DNA, challenging the previously postulated association of this distance with the mechanism of the K65R mutation.
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced organizational shifts and policy changes across the world. The construction industry has not been immune to these changes and has altered traditional construction practices to adapt to the pandemic. Specifically, the construction inspection process has seen dramatic changes in the acceptance of remote forms of inspection in lieu of in-person inspection processes. This study evaluates the status of remote construction inspections across Ohio. Using surveys distributed to each authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), it assesses the current utilization, application, and attitudes toward remote construction inspections. The study found that approximately 40% of responding AHJs in Ohio reported using remote visual inspections (RVIs) for construction inspections, most of which were adopted in response to the pandemic. Additionally, 88% of the AHJs that have adopted RVIs do not use a standard set of RVI guidelines, although over 90% reported standard guidelines would be beneficial. The findings also revealed that 97% of respondents who used RVIs indicated some level of satisfaction with the method (31% were somewhat satisfied, 44% were satisfied, and 22% were very satisfied). To provide adequate support to building inspectors, ensure the safety of structures, and promote the evolution of technology in the industry, it is imperative for researchers and policymakers to understand AHJ positions on RVI implementation across the state.
Research demonstrates the negative relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and emotion, where lower HRV correlates with emotional and mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and more. However, little empirical work has examined the relationship between HRV and positive emotion. Adding evidence to the literature that high HRV correlates with positive emotions supports the utility of HRV biofeedback training to promote positive mental health states. Healthy undergraduate students (N = 16) self-reported emotions via the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Heart rate was recorded through three surface electrodes in individual 5-minute sessions using BIOPAC. HRV time-domain and frequency-domain parameters were extracted including the standard deviation of the normalized R-R interbeat intervals of the heart (SDNN), and power estimates of heartbeat rhythms including low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and the LF/HF ratio. Results revealed no significant differences in frequency domain measures of HRV but replicated previous research demonstrated significant negative correlations between STAI scores and the time-domain HRV measure of SDNN. Further, the present research found positive correlations between SDNN and happiness as measured by the OHQ, and positive emotion questions on the PANAS. These results extend the current literature to confirm that higher HRV correlates with higher positive emotions and happiness and support the utility of HRV biofeedback training as a non-invasive means of increasing happiness and positive mental health.
True fungi and fungus-like species are a widely dispersed and highly diverse group of organisms. There is a lack of awareness about the ecological importance of macrofungi in forested landscapes. Further, there is little information about the biodiversity of mushrooms in Ohio, particularly in the southeastern part of the state. The main goal of this study was to complete the first inventory of mushrooms at Capital University’s Primmer Outdoor Learning Center near Logan, Ohio. Field surveys (n = 5) were completed within the 74 acre property every 2 to 4 weeks during the summer from May to August 2019, largely conducted in the woodlot near the streams, in the forest edge, and along the forested ridge above the wetland. Of the 21 species inventoried in this study, 18 were classified in the phylum Basidiomycota and 3 belonged to the phylum Ascomycota. False turkey tail (Stereum lobatum), dryad’s saddle (Cerioporus squamosus), and turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) were found throughout the entire study. Notable mushrooms included smooth chanterelle (Cantharellus lateritius), crown-tipped coral (Artomyces pyxidatus), and dryad’s saddle (C. squamosus). Future work involves designing community programs and educational activities to promote citizen science, increasing public awareness of macrofungi, and conducting additional mushroom surveys on site particularly during the spring and fall seasons. Management recommendations for the university field site include closing several of the trails to the public to minimize foot traffic in the areas of highest mushroom biodiversity on site.
Dr. Anita Somani is a practicing Obstetrician/Gynecologist and a second-term state representative for Ohio House District 8. Originally from India, Dr. Somani moved to the United States as a baby and attended elementary and secondary school in Wisconsin, Florida, and India. After college in Ohio, she completed her MD degree from the Medical College of Ohio in 1988 and then a residency in OB/GYN at Mt. Carmel in Columbus. She received her board certification in 1994, and now practices at Ohio Health in Columbus. On January 3, 2023, she was first sworn in as a state representative for the Ohio House District 11. Following redistricting and reelection, she now represents the people of Dublin and Worthington in Ohio House District 8.
Lavender has shown promise as a specialty crop in the Rust Belt cities of the midwestern United States; however, production in these regions can be challenging due to harsh winter conditions, cosmetic damage and disease transmission from hemipteran pests, and a lack of information on best management practices in urban settings. This study uses a participatory research approach to address soil and pest management issues at a small-acreage lavender operation in Ohio. A 2-year field experiment was designed collaboratively with land managers to compare the performance of current mulch practices (black landscape fabric) with the use of silver, dark, and embossed dark plastic mulches on hemipteran insect populations, soil temperature, and leaf area of lavender plants. This experiment used a combination of sticky trap sampling, soil temperature data loggers, and leaf area index sampling. While mulch effects varied by year, silver mulch had significantly lower hemipteran populations in the first year and soil temperatures were significantly higher in blue mulch during both years. Lavender leaf area was significantly greater in red mulch relative to blue mulch but neither mulch treatment showed a significant difference in leaf area compared to the control (black landscape fabric). Finally, there was no evidence of indirect effects of soil temperature on plant growth. These results indicate that the effects of plastic mulch on soil properties, hemipteran insect populations, and lavender development vary by color and texture. Thus, the selection of plastic mulch should be based on specific management issues.
Pollinators are important for global food production and provide ecosystem services. However, many species of insect pollinators have declined in recent decades. Drivers of pollinator decline include habitat loss, invasive species, pesticides, and climate change. In Ohio, many species of pollinators (including butterflies, moths, and bumble bees) are considered species of greatest conservation need, while others have undergone population declines. This study evaluated butterfly species richness and diversity; butterfly, bumble bee, and honey bee density; and plant species composition of 2 planting regimes on state wildlife areas. Butterflies, bumble bees, and honey bees were recorded along 100 m transects within fields planted with timothy (Phleum pratense) and a diverse seed mix. Plant communities were assessed by measuring percent cover within quadrats placed every 10 m along the same transects. Mean plant species richness and diversity were significantly greater in fields planted in the diverse mix than in the timothy fields. As plant diversity increased, butterfly diversity increased. Density estimates of bumble bees (Bombus spp.) and honey bees (Apis spp.) were significantly greater in fields planted to the diverse mix than fields planted to timothy, with densities of bumble bees and honey bees being 536% and 529% greater, respectively, in the diverse mix fields than timothy fields. There were greater densities of butterflies in fields planted to the diverse mix than in the timothy fields; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Working to increase plant diversity in planted and restored grasslands benefits bumble bees, honey bees, butterflies, and likely other species of insects as well.
Trilobites had a unique visual system in which the focusing component of their compound eyes were calcite crystals. Biogenic calcite emits photoluminescence (PL) in the blue-green part of the visual spectrum in all directions when excited by long-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-A) radiation. This PL had no information about the image being formed by the incident light from objects (such as other animals and rocks) near the trilobite and would have acted as stray light, thereby obscuring its vision. The PL spectrum from biogenic calcite from extant red algae is used to model the PL emitted by the calcite in the eyes of trilobites. The visible range and the wavelength sensitivity of the extant marine crustacean Squilla empusa (a distant living relative of the trilobites) is used to model the vision of trilobites. In the first theoretical calculation, the magnitude of this PL is estimated using data from extant red algae (including the concentration of its PL centers) and is compared to the expected photon noise in the visible sunlight directly from the illuminated objects. Due to the differences in the transmission of visible and UV-A light by seawater, PL stray light obscuration is expected to lessen with depth. A second more general calculation determines the dependence of this obscuration effect on ocean depth, independent of the concentration of PL centers in the calcite, showing that the obscuring effect of PL diminishes with depth. This PL is insignificant at 10 meters deep and, possibly, at all depths.
A local record of historical temperature change from 1893 to 2021 was established for a region centered in southwest Ohio, United States. Temperature records were examined from 8 weather stations located in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, all within a radius of 50 miles (approximately 80 km) from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Results indicate that annual minimum temperatures increased by approximately 0.11 °F (0.060 °C) per decade between 1893 to 2021, with a total increase of 1.4 °F (0.78 °C) over the 128-year study period ( p < 2 × 10-16, R2 = 0.74). Spring and summer minimum temperatures increased by 2.0 °F (1.1 °C) and 1.5 °F (0.83 °C) respectively, whereas fall and winter minimum temperatures increased by 1.1 °F (0.63 °C) and 0.77 °F (0.43 °C), respectively. Annual maximum temperatures increased by approximately 0.071 °F (0.039 °C) per decade, resulting in a total increase of 0.90 °F (0.50 °C) over the study period ( p < 2 × 10-16, R2 = 0.74). The largest observed increase in maximum temperatures occurred during the spring (1.7 °F; 0.94 °C), with fall (1.6 °F; 0.88 °C), and winter (1.6 °F; 0.88 °C) maximum temperatures increasing similarly. No change was observed in summer maximum temperatures. Historical temperature trends in the region studied broadly match state and regional temperature compilations for the lower Midwest, with greater warming occurring during spring and negligible warming in summer. This analysis indicates local datasets complement regional climate compilations and models, as well as help to identify geographic variation in temperature trends critical for assessing local vulnerabilities and informing regional mitigation strategies for climate change.
Bat populations are declining worldwide because of threats such as white-nose syndrome and habitat loss. Multiple-year studies are advantageous for looking at population trends over time and determining the extent of declines. While numerous multiple-year studies have been conducted for bats, they are limited in regional and local coverage. This study compiled the results of 282 walking surveys across 10 years of acoustic bat recording data collected in 3 northwest Ohio parks from 2011 to 2021 to examine temporal trends in bat activity. Overall bat activity (all species combined, average per night) decreased from 2011 to 2018 but showed a slight positive trend from 2019 to 2021. Average activity per night for big brown (Eptesicus fuscus), northern long-eared (Myotis septentrionalis), and little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) decreased significantly (75%, 95%, and 33% decreases from 2011 to 2021, respectively). Average activity per night of hoary (Lasiurus cinereus) and silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) increased significantly in activity until 2016 (169% and 163% increase from 2011 to 2016, respectively) before decreasing in activity to be closer to initial levels, although their general trend in activity was positive overall (92% and 32% increase from 2011 to 2021, respectively). These data show the advantages of monitoring bat activity over more years to make inferences about population trends. Significant decreases in activity for big brown, little brown, and northern long-eared bats from 2011 to 2021 suggest alterations in bat community structure. These results illustrate a decline in overall bat activity over the last decade. This study also provides an example of volunteer-collected long-term bat monitoring data.
The Hocking Hills of southeastern Ohio are situated at the western range boundary of eastern hemlock, where this foundation species occurs in isolated pockets in ravines and on steep slopes. The goal of this study is to characterize these hemlock stands prior to infestation by hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), which recently entered the state and is likely to cause high mortality if untreated. Individuals in 30 plots established from 2008 to 2011 were resurveyed in 2020, allowing determination of growth rates and mortality rates. Each plot was paired with an upslope transect in the resurvey to record non-hemlock species likely to seed in from above. Tree species diversity in the plots is low (Shannon H’ < 1), as eastern hemlock remained the dominant species in all plots; storm damage and competitive thinning appeared to account for most mortality across all species. Hemlock growth rates were comparable to deciduous species. Common co-occurring species are statistically associated with particular topographic and soil properties on the plots. Following future hemlock mortality, tulip-poplar, chestnut oak, white oak, sweet birch, and red maple may be among the first species to dominate the canopy; Japanese stiltgrass currently appears to be the invasive species of greatest concern. An understanding of pre-HWA composition, structure, and forest dynamics can inform restoration efforts, if in the future long-term, sustainable HWA control or host-tree resistance is developed; this understanding can also apprise management and conservation efforts in the unique hemlock stands of southeast Ohio.
The braincase with horn cores of a male, extinct woodland muskox (Bootherium bombifrons) was recovered from a wetland near Hebron, Licking County, Ohio, in 1995. The fossil remains were preserved in sediments associated with a pro-glacial lake on the eastern margin of the Scioto lobe of the Laurentide ice sheet. An 853 cm long sediment core was analyzed, and its pollen record was used to reconstruct changes in the region’s late Pleistocene paleoecology, which was barren landscape immediately following deglaciation. This transitioned to a spruce-dominated forest, and finally a deciduous forest. While most previous records of Bootherium have been associated with spruce-dominated habitat, the Hebron muskox lived in an environment with forests dominated by deciduous trees with only minor amounts of spruce. A paleoclimatic model—based on multiple records of Bootherium—indicates the wide distribution of the species south of the maximum continental ice sheets was due to its lesser cold tolerance and higher warm temperature tolerance than the modern muskox. Based on 2 averaged direct AMS radiocarbon measurements on the muskox skull, its age is 11,086 ± 18 radiocarbon years (13,093 to 12,926 calendar years BP) making it the youngest radiocarbon dated individual of Bootherium bombifrons. This date suggests the eventual extinction of the species may be related to the decline of its preferred habitat as climates changed at the end of the Pleistocene.
Helicobacter pylori is a class I carcinogen responsible for 90% of gastrointestinal and gastroduodenaldisorders, including gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease. The virulence and pathogenicity peculiar to H. pylorihave been associated with several genes, including cytotoxin associated gene (cagA), vacuolating cytotoxin A(vacA), outer inflammatory protein A (oipA), and duodenal ulcer promoting (dupA). This study explored therelationship between African-generated vacA genes with genes from other regions with high gastrointestinaldisorder prevalence. Nucleotide sequences of 228 vacA genes of H. pylori were retrieved from the NationalCentre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Pairwise and multiple sequence alignment was carried out on228 vacA nucleotide sequences using MEGA 10.2.4 software to identify regions of similarities. Phylogeneticanalysis, also using MEGA software, was carried out to establish the evolutionary relationships between allextracted sequences. Analysis for conserved domain was also performed on the NCBI Conserved DomainDatabase to better understand each geographical data's properties. After the evolutionary analysis, it wasobserved that South African vacA genes were more closely related to genes from Mexico, Italy, Spain, andGermany—with Italy having the highest occurring relationship. Conserved domain analysis showed 2 highlyconserved superfamilies, cl20029 and cl22877, and 2 protein family models, pfam02691 and pfam03797.The results demonstrate relatedness of vacA genes from the African region to the European region; Italy,Mexico, and Spain. The study shows the biogeographical diversity among vacA genes and emphasizes thedegree of domain conservation across each gene. It also shows the need for a holistic assessment of thevirulent genes in H. pylori.
