Semi-automated water sampling module for repeated sampling and concentration of Bacillus cereus group spores.

Monitoring the presence of pathogenic Bacillus spores is important for industrial applications, as well as necessary for ensuring human health. Bacillus thuringiensis is used as a biopesticide against several insect pests. Bacillus cereus spores are a significant cause of food poisoning, and Bacillus anthracis is a recognized biosecurity threat.

Strategies for capturing Bacillus thuringiensis spores on surfaces of (001) GaAs-based biosensors.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is used as a bioinsecticide since it effectively kills insect larvae. Bt is also genetically similar to Bacillus cereus (Bc), a well recognized foodborne human pathogen; they are both members of the Bacillus cereus group (BC group). Although approved Bt bioinsecticide products have been confirmed to be non-pathogenic to humans, close monitoring of Bt during dissemination is important for cost considerations and to limit impact on biodiversity towards nontarget organisms.

Quantum State-Resolved Characterization of a Magnetically Focused Beam of -HO.

Magnetic focusing of a molecular beam formed from a rotationally cooled supersonic jet of HO seeded in argon is shown to yield water vapor highly enriched in the -HO nuclear spin isomer (NSI). Rotationally resolved resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry demonstrates that this methodology enables the preparation of a beam of water molecules enriched to >98% in the -HO NSI, that is, having an ortho-to-para ratio in excess of 50:1. The flux and quantum-state purity achieved through the methodology described herein could enable heterogeneous chemistry applications including the preparation of nuclear spin-polarized water adlayers, making nuclear magnetic resonance investigations amenable to surface science studies, as well as laboratory astrophysics investigations of NSI interconversion mechanisms and rates in ice and at its surface.