Coupling anaerobic bacteria and microbial fuel cells as whole-cell environmental biosensors

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara T Bereza-Malcolm ◽  
Ashley E Franks
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Anaerobic Bacteria ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Anaerobic Microorganisms ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Relevant Factors

Microorganisms have evolved to respond to environmental factors allowing adaption to changing conditions and minimisation of potential harm. Microbes have the ability to sense a wide range of biotic and abiotic factors including nutrient levels, analytes, temperature, contaminants, community quorum, and metabolic activity. Due to this ability, the use of whole-cell microbes as biosensors is attractive as it can provide real-time in situ information on biologically relevant factors through qualitative and quantitative outputs. Interestingly, many of the environments where these biosensors will be of most of use lack oxygen; and as such the use of anaerobic microorganisms to sense environmental factors with easy to use outputs is essential. Furthermore, sensing of contaminants can be linked with bioremediation of known contaminated environments, allowing a flexible, multiplexed device.

scholarly journals DNA-mediated gene transfer without carrier DNA.

1981 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
K M Huttner ◽  
J A Barbosa ◽  
G A Scangos ◽  
D D Pratcheva ◽  
F H Ruddle
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Kinase Gene ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Cell Carrier ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dna Restriction ◽  
Simplex Virus

DNA-mediated gene transfer is a procedure which uses purified DNA to introduce new genetic elements into cells in culture. The standard DNA-mediated gene transfer procedure involves the use of whole cell DNA as carrier DNA for the transfer. We have modified the standard DNA-mediated gene transfer procedure to transfer the Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase gene (TK) into TK- murine recipient cells in the absence of whole cell carrier DNA. The majority (8/10) of carrier-free transformant lines expressed the TK+ phenotype stably, in sharp contrast to our results with carrier-containing DNA-mediated gene transfer. There was a wide range in donor DNA content among independent transformants. Further analysis on one transformant line using DNA restriction digests and in situ hybridization provided evidence that, in the absence of whole cell carrier DNA, multiple donor DNA sequences became integrated at a single chromosomal site.

Mitigation of Biofouling Through In-Plane Application of Weak DC Current in Presence of Antimicrobials

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marshal Shahu Maskarenj ◽  
Ravi Chavali ◽  
Ankita Mathur ◽  
Prakash Chandra Ghosh ◽  
Sushanta Kumar Mitra
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Permeate Flux ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Membrane Biofouling ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Dc Current

Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR) technology is a promising alternative to municipal and industrial wastewater treatment owing to low sludge production and wide range of acceptable influents. Biofouling in MBRs hampers long term functionality of the system through reduction in permeate flux over time. Membrane biofouling could necessitate periodic membrane backwashing or even require membrane replacement, thus increasing operational cost for the systems. Microbe-secreted extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) forms a complex matrix on the surface; is persistent against physical removal and tends to resist high concentrations of antimicrobial agents, thus playing a major role in membrane biofouling. There is a need for developing methods towards efficient removal of biofoulants from surfaces. In tandem with low DC current, the synergistic effect of antimicrobial agents has been reported successful towards reducing biofilm formation leading to biofouling. This paper discusses the application of in-plane bioelectric effect as a solution to biofouling in MBRs; especially Microbial Fuel Cells and Microbial Desalination Cells towards harnessing in-situ current for tackling biofouling, thus facilitating longer system functionality.

scholarly journals Environmental factors affecting germination of Mimosa ephedroides (Fabaceae), an endemic shrub from Monte Desert, Argentina

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-149
Author(s):  
Sofia Leonor Dágata ◽  
María Emilia Fernández ◽  
Carlos Bernardo Passera
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Seed Storage ◽  
Saline Stress ◽  
Severe Water Stress ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Salinity Levels

Mimosa ephedroides is an endemic shrub from western Argentina. The knowledge of the germination response of this species to different environmental factors contribute to its efficient use in ecological restoration projects. This study aimed to examine aspects of seed quality, seed dormancy, and the effect of temperature, water and saline stress on the germination of this species. Also, the effect of seed storage time on the viability and the percentage of germinated seeds were evaluated. Experiments were carried out in controlled growth chambers. Germination percentage and mean germination time were calculated. It was found that this species has non-dormant seeds. Concerning abiotic factors, the optimum temperature for germination ranged from 20 to 30 ºC, it presented high germination percentages even at moderate and severe water stress (-1.12 MPa), and the germination percentages decreased with increasing salinity levels from 300 mM NaCl. In short periods (up to 36 months), seed storage at room temperature (18ºC) was adequate, not affecting the viability and the germination power of the seeds. These results constitute a contribution to the knowledge of the autecological aspects of this endemic species, support its incorporation for restoration projects, and aid to an efficient use of native seeds for direct seeding or seedling production. Highlights Mimosa ephedroides seeds are non- dormant, show high viability and rapid germination (>24 h). This shrub is able to germinate in a wide range of temperatures and under moderate and severe water stress. High salinity levels (<300 Mm NaCl) negatively affected seed germination. Seed storage for short periods (<5 years) at room temperature (18ºC) did not affect seed viability and germination.

In-situ electrical-resistivity measurements in the high-voltage electron microscope

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-69
Author(s):  
W. E. King
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Resistivity Measurements ◽  
Voltage Electron ◽  
High Voltage Electron Microscope ◽  
High Voltage Electron ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Helium Gas

A side-entry type, helium-temperature specimen stage that has the capability of in-situ electrical-resistivity measurements has been designed and developed for use in the AEI-EM7 1200-kV electron microscope at Argonne National Laboratory. The electrical-resistivity measurements complement the high-voltage electron microscope (HVEM) to yield a unique opportunity to investigate defect production in metals by electron irradiation over a wide range of defect concentrations.A flow cryostat that uses helium gas as a coolant is employed to attain and maintain any specified temperature between 10 and 300 K. The helium gas coolant eliminates the vibrations that arise from boiling liquid helium and the temperature instabilities due to alternating heat-transfer mechanisms in the two-phase temperature regime (4.215 K). Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the liquid/gaseous helium transfer system. A liquid-gas mixture can be used for fast cooldown. The cold tip of the transfer tube is inserted coincident with the tilt axis of the specimen stage, and the end of the coolant flow tube is positioned without contact within the heat exchanger of the copper specimen block (Fig. 2).

Site specific agricultural soil management with the use of new technologies

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Digital Interface ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Soil Variation ◽  
Soil Information ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
Agricultural Areas

<p>The Soil Science Institute of Thessaloniki produces new digitized Soil Maps that provide a useful electronic database for the spatial representation of the soil variation within a region, based on in situ soil sampling, laboratory analyses, GIS techniques and plant nutrition mathematical models, coupled with the local land cadastre. The novelty of these studies is that local agronomists have immediate access to a wide range of soil information by clicking on a field parcel shown in this digital interface and, therefore, can suggest an appropriate treatment (e.g. liming, manure incorporation, desalination, application of proper type and quantity of fertilizer) depending on the field conditions and cultivated crops. A specific case study is presented in the current work with regards to the construction of the digitized Soil Map of the regional unit of Kastoria. The potential of this map can easily be realized by the fact that the mapping of the physicochemical properties of the soils in this region provided delineation zones for differential fertilization management. An experiment was also conducted using remote sensing techniques for the enhancement of the fertilization advisory software database, which is a component of the digitized map, and the optimization of nitrogen management in agricultural areas.</p>

Indium Bromide-catalyzed Unprecedented Hydrogenolysis: A Novel One-Pot Synthesis of Per-O-Acetylated β-carboxymethyl O and S-glycosides

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 900-908
Author(s):  
Ram Naresh Yadav ◽  
Amrendra K Singh ◽  
Bimal Banik
Keyword(s):  
Asymmetric Synthesis ◽  
Chiral Auxiliary ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
One Pot ◽  
Enantiomerically Pure ◽  
Stereoselective Glycosylation ◽  
One Pot Synthesis ◽  
Wide Range

Numerous O (oxa)- and S (thia)-glycosyl esters and their analogous glycosyl acids have been accomplished through stereoselective glycosylation of various peracetylated bromo sugar with benzyl glycolate using InBr3 as a glycosyl promotor followed by in situ hydrogenolysis of resulting glycosyl ester. A tandem glycosylating and hydrogenolytic activity of InBr3 has been successfully investigated in a one-pot procedure. The resulting synthetically valuable and virtually unexplored class of β-CMGL (glycosyl acids) could serve as an excellent potential chiral auxiliary in the asymmetric synthesis of a wide range of enantiomerically pure medicinally prevalent β-lactams and other bioactive molecules of diverse medicinal interest.

scholarly journals Behavioral medicine challenges in the shadow of a global pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa T Brooks ◽  
Hannah K Allen ◽  
Louise Thornton ◽  
Tracy Trevorrow
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Future Data ◽  
Short And Long Term

Abstract Health behavior researchers should refocus and retool as it becomes increasingly clear that the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic surpass the direct effects of COVID-19 and include unique, drastic, and ubiquitous consequences for health behavior. The circumstances of the pandemic have created a natural experiment, allowing researchers focusing on a wide range of health behaviors and populations with the opportunity to use previously collected and future data to study: (a) changes in health behavior prepandemic and postpandemic, (b) health behavior prevalence and needs amidst the pandemic, and (c) the effects of the pandemic on short- and long-term health behavior. Our field is particularly challenged as we attempt to consider biopsychosocial, political, and environmental factors that affect health and health behavior. These realities, while daunting, should call us to action to refocus and retool our research, prevention, and intervention efforts

scholarly journals A Generalization Performance Study Using Deep Learning Networks in Embedded Systems

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1031
Author(s):  
Joseba Gorospe ◽  
Rubén Mulero ◽  
Olatz Arbelaitz ◽  
Javier Muguerza ◽  
Miguel Ángel Antón
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Embedded Systems ◽  
Embedded System ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Performance Study ◽  
Learning Techniques ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Learning Architectures

Deep learning techniques are being increasingly used in the scientific community as a consequence of the high computational capacity of current systems and the increase in the amount of data available as a result of the digitalisation of society in general and the industrial world in particular. In addition, the immersion of the field of edge computing, which focuses on integrating artificial intelligence as close as possible to the client, makes it possible to implement systems that act in real time without the need to transfer all of the data to centralised servers. The combination of these two concepts can lead to systems with the capacity to make correct decisions and act based on them immediately and in situ. Despite this, the low capacity of embedded systems greatly hinders this integration, so the possibility of being able to integrate them into a wide range of micro-controllers can be a great advantage. This paper contributes with the generation of an environment based on Mbed OS and TensorFlow Lite to be embedded in any general purpose embedded system, allowing the introduction of deep learning architectures. The experiments herein prove that the proposed system is competitive if compared to other commercial systems.

scholarly journals Global soil moisture data derived through machine learning trained with in-situ measurements

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sungmin O. ◽  
Rene Orth
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Soil Moisture Data ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Global Soil

AbstractWhile soil moisture information is essential for a wide range of hydrologic and climate applications, spatially-continuous soil moisture data is only available from satellite observations or model simulations. Here we present a global, long-term dataset of soil moisture derived through machine learning trained with in-situ measurements, SoMo.ml. We train a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model to extrapolate daily soil moisture dynamics in space and in time, based on in-situ data collected from more than 1,000 stations across the globe. SoMo.ml provides multi-layer soil moisture data (0–10 cm, 10–30 cm, and 30–50 cm) at 0.25° spatial and daily temporal resolution over the period 2000–2019. The performance of the resulting dataset is evaluated through cross validation and inter-comparison with existing soil moisture datasets. SoMo.ml performs especially well in terms of temporal dynamics, making it particularly useful for applications requiring time-varying soil moisture, such as anomaly detection and memory analyses. SoMo.ml complements the existing suite of modelled and satellite-based datasets given its distinct derivation, to support large-scale hydrological, meteorological, and ecological analyses.

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