scholarly journals Evaluation of RNAlater™ as a field-compatible preservation method for metaproteomic analyses of bacteria-animal symbioses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlene Jensen ◽  
Juliane Wippler ◽  
Manuel Kleiner
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Test Time ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Preservation Method ◽  
Field Deployment ◽  
Protein Preservation

Field studies are central to environmental microbiology and microbial ecology as they enable studies of natural microbial communities. Metaproteomics, the study of protein abundances in microbial communities, allows to study these communities ‘in situ’ which requires protein preservation directly in the field as protein abundance patterns can change rapidly after sampling. Ideally, a protein preservative for field deployment works rapidly and preserves the whole proteome, is stable in long-term storage, is non-hazardous and easy to transport, and is available at low cost. Although these requirements might be met by several protein preservatives, an assessment of their suitability in field conditions when targeted for metaproteomics is currently lacking. Here, we compared the protein preservation performance of flash freezing and the preservation solution RNAlater™ using the marine gutless oligochaete Olavius algarvensis and its symbiotic microbes as a test case. In addition, we evaluated long-term RNAlater™ storage after 1 day, 1 week and 4 weeks at room temperature (22-23 °C). We evaluated protein preservation using one dimensional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (1D-LC-MS/MS). We found that RNAlater™ and flash freezing preserved proteins equally well in terms of total number of identified proteins or relative abundances of individual proteins and none of the test time points were altered compared to t0. Moreover, we did not find biases against specific taxonomic groups or proteins with particular biochemical properties. Based on our metaproteomics data and the logistical requirements for field deployment we recommend RNAlater™ for protein preservation of field-collected samples when targeted for metaproteomcis.

scholarly journals More science with less: evaluation of a 3D-printed weather station

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4699-4713
Author(s):  
Adam Theisen ◽  
Max Ungar ◽  
Bryan Sheridan ◽  
Bradley G. Illston
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Weather Station ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Oklahoma Mesonet ◽  
System Temperature ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Field Deployment ◽  
The University

Abstract. A weather station built using 3D-printed parts and low-cost sensors, based on plans and guidance provided by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research 3D-Printed Automatic Weather Station Initiative, was deployed alongside an Oklahoma Mesonet station to compare its performance against standard commercial sensors and determine the longevity and durability of the system. Temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, and precipitation measurements were collected over an 8-month field deployment in Norman, Oklahoma. Measurements were comparable to the commercial sensors except for wind direction, which proved to be problematic. Longevity and durability of the system varied, as some sensors and 3D-printed components failed during the deployment. Overall, results show that these low-cost sensors are comparable to the more expensive commercial counterparts and could serve as viable alternatives for researchers and educators with limited resources for short-term deployments. Long-term deployments are feasible with proper maintenance and regular replacement of sensors and 3D-printed components.

286 PRODUCTION OF NORMAL MICE USING LONG-TERM PRESERVED MOUSE SPERMATOZOA WITHOUT FREEZING

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 241
Author(s):  
C. Li ◽  
E. Mizutani ◽  
T. Ono ◽  
T. Wakayama
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Isolation Medium ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Fertility Treatments ◽  
Preservation Method ◽  
Refrigerator Temperature ◽  
Nuclear Isolation

Mammalian spermatozoa preservation now plays an important role in fertility treatments, generating hybrid animals and protecting endangered and extinct species. To date, the most common method of sperm preservation is freezing in liquid nitrogen (LN2). However, this method requires constant supplementation of LN2 and also presents some safety issues involved in transporting LN2. Here we describe a new sperm preservation method that does not involve freezing. Mouse spermatozoa were cultured in four basic media (HEPES–Chatot-Ziomele-Barister’s medium (HCZB), KSOM, K+-rich nuclear isolation medium (NIM), and PBS) with or without 10% BSA or 15% Ficoll as a cryoprotectant, and preserved in a refrigerator for up to 6 months. These preserved sperm were then injected into fresh oocytes and cultured to the blastocyst stage in vitro or transferred into recipient females to demonstrate their genetic integrity. Oocytes injected with 1-month-preserved spermatozoa in NIM and PBS showed significantly higher blastocyst rates (22.8% and 18.9%) than those in HEPES-CZB and KSOM (1-way ANOVA, P < 0.05). In embryos with 3-month-preserved spermatozoa in NIM or PBS with BSA or Ficoll, 5.3–24.0%; P < 0.05 of embryos, (n = 1056) developed to the blastocyst stage, and the developmental ratio was not decreased even for 6-month preservation (13.6–18.2%; P > 0.05). Surprisingly, 18 pups were obtained using spermatozoa stored in those mediums for 6 months. Moreover, this new method allowed easy production of healthy offspring even after transporting spermatozoa between two countries by aircraft at room temperature without any protection. In conclusion, this method allows for easy long-term preservation of mouse spermatozoa in a simple, modified medium at refrigerator temperature with very low cost and wide application.

scholarly journals Cave Pearl Data Logger – A flexible Arduino-based Logging Platform for Long-Term Monitoring in Harsh Environments

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Beddows ◽  
Edward K. Mallon
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Optimization Techniques ◽  
Data Logging ◽  
Data Logger ◽  
Term Operation ◽  
Cave System ◽  
Ready Availability ◽  
Term Monitoring

A low-cost data logging platform is presented for environmental monitoring projects that provides long-term operation in remote or submerged environments. Three premade &ldquo;breakout boards&rdquo; from the open-source Arduino ecosystem are assembled into the core of the platform. The components are selected based on low-cost and ready availability, making the loggers easy to build and modify without specialized tools, or a significant background in electronics. Power optimization techniques are explained. The platform has proven to be highly reliable, and capable of operating for more than a year on standard AA batteries. The flexibility of the system is illustrated with two ongoing field studies recording drip rates in a cave, and water flow in a flooded cave system.

Fine Particle Mass Monitoring with Low-Cost Sensors: Corrections and Long-Term Performance Evaluation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Malings ◽  
Rebecca Tanzer ◽  
Aliaksei Hauryliuk ◽  
Provat K. Saha ◽  
Allen L. Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Fine Particle ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Particle Mass ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance

HOUSEHOLD WATER BALANCE AND ASSESSMENT OF WATER VOLUME FOR IRRIGATION IN AGRO LANDSCAPES OF THE KYZYLSU-YUZHNAYA BASIN

2020 ◽  
pp. 102-109
Author(s):  
D.KH. DOMULLODZHANOV ◽  
◽  
R. RAHMATILLOEV
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
Land Productivity ◽  
Household Water ◽  
And Storage

The article presents the results of the field studies and observations that carried out on the territory of the hilly, low-mountain and foothill agro landscapes of the Kyzylsu-yuzhnaya (Kyzylsu-Southern) River Basin of Tajikistan. Taking into account the high-altitude location of households and the amount of precipitation in the river basin, the annual volumes of water accumulated with the use of low-cost systems of collection and storage of precipitation have been clarified. The amount of water accumulated in the precipitation collection and storage systems has been established, the volume of water used for communal and domestic needs,the watering of livestock and the amount of water that can be used to irrigate crops in the have been determined. Possible areas of irrigation of household plots depending on the different availability of precipitation have been determined. It has been established that in wet years (with precipitation of about 10%) the amount of water collected using drip irrigation will be sufficient for irrigation of 0.13 hectares, and in dry years (with 90% of precipitation) it will be possible to irrigate only 0.03 ha of the household plot. On the basis of the basin, the total area of irrigation in wet years can be 4497 ha, and in dry years only 1087 ha. Taking into account the forecasts of population growth by 2030 and an increase in the number of households, the total area of irrigation of farmlands in wet years may reach 5703 hectares,and in dry years – 1379 hectares. Growing crops on household plots under irrigation contributes to a significant increase in land productivity and increases the efficiency of water use of the Kyzylsu-yuzhnaya basin.

SELECTION WORK TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVE AND BREWING QUALITIES OF SPRING BARLEY

1970 ◽  
pp. 38-40
Author(s):  
О. V. Levakova ◽  
L. М. Eroshenko ◽  
А. N. Eroshenko
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Humus Content ◽  
Stability Index ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Extract Content ◽  
Labile Phosphorus ◽  
Loam Soil

The article presents and analyzes data of competitive varietal testing of promising varieties and lines of spring barley for yield and brewing qualities. Field studies were conducted in 2014–2017 on dark gray forest heavy loam soil. Agrochemical parameters are total nitrogen – 0.24%, humus content in a layer of 0-40 cm (according to Tyurin) – 5.19%, hydrolysis nitrogen – 123.5 mg / kg, salt extract pH – 4.92 mg-eq / 100g; labile phosphorus - 34.6 mg / 100g, labile potassium – 20.0 mg / 100g. The forerunner is winter wheat. Meteorological conditions in the years of research differed from each other and from the average long-term value. Barley samples were assessed by the protein content in the grain (GOST 10846-91), extract content (GOST 12130-77), weight 1000 grains (GOST 10842-89). Ecological plasticity was determined by the method proposed by E.D. Nettevich, A.I. Morgunov and M.I. Maksimenko, stability index (Ľ) by A. A. Gryaznov, indicator of stability level (Puss) by E. D. Nettevich and A. I. Morgunov. The main measure for assessing quality indicators is protein content. Many other biochemical and technological features of grain depend on its level. The experimental data convincingly testify to the significant influence of the soil and climatic conditions on the yield and, especially, on the brewing qualities of barley in the conditions of the Central Region of the Nonchernozem Zone. According to the studied traits, new valuable varieties Nadezhny, Sir, Noble and selection lines 141 / 1-09 h 746, 23 / 1-10 h 784, distinguished by high adaptability and resistance to adverse environmental factors, have been identified.

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