Bacillus subtilis YngB contributes to wall teichoic acid glucosylation and glycolipid formation during anaerobic growth.

UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferases are enzymes that produce UDP-glucose from UTP and glucose-1-phosphate. In Bacillus subtilis 168, UDP-glucose is required for the decoration of wall teichoic acid (WTA) with glucose residues and the formation of glucolipids. The B. subtilis UGPase GtaB is essential for UDP-glucose production under standard aerobic growth conditions, and gtaB mutants display severe growth and morphological defects. However, bioinformatics predictions indicate that two other UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferases are present in B. subtilis. Here, we investigated the function of one of them named YngB. The crystal structure of YngB revealed that the protein has the typical fold and all necessary active site features of a functional UGPase. Furthermore, UGPase activity could be demonstrated in vitro using UTP and glucose-1-phosphate as substrates. Expression of YngB from a synthetic promoter in a B. subtilis gtaB mutant resulted in the reintroduction of glucose residues on WTA and production of glycolipids, demonstrating that the enzyme can function as UGPase in vivo. When WT and mutant B. subtilis strains were grown under anaerobic conditions, YngB-dependent glycolipid production and glucose decorations on WTA could be detected, revealing that YngB is expressed from its native promoter under anaerobic condition. Based on these findings, along with the structure of the operon containing yngB and the transcription factor thought to be required for its expression, we propose that besides WTA, potentially other cell wall components might be decorated with glucose residues during oxygen-limited growth condition.

Innovative encapsulated oxygen-releasing beads for bioremediation of BTEX at high concentration in groundwater.

Both a low concentration of dissolved oxygen and the toxicity of a high concentration of BTEX inhibit the bioremediation of BTEX in groundwater. A novel method of preparing encapsulated oxygen-releasing beads (encap-ORBs) for the biodegradation of BTEX in groundwater was developed. Experimental results show that the integrality and oxygen-releasing capacity of encap-ORBs exceeded those of ORBs. The use of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with high M.W. to prepare encap-ORBs improved their integrality. The encap-ORBs effectively released oxygen for 128 days. High concentration of BTEX (480 mg L-1) inhibited the biodegradation by the free cells. Immobilization of degraders in the encap-ORB alleviated the inhibition. Scanning electron microscope analysis reveals that the BTEX degraders grew on the surface of encap-ORB after bioremediation. The above results indicate that the encap-ORBs were effective in the bioremediation of BTEX at high concentration in groundwater.

Electricity production and benzene removal from groundwater using low-cost mini tubular microbial fuel cells in a monitoring well.

A low-cost mini tubular microbial fuel cell (MFC) was developed for treating groundwater that contained benzene in monitoring wells. Experimental results indicate that increasing the length and density, and reducing the size of the char particles in the anode effectively reduced the internal resistance. Additionally, a thinner polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel separator and PVA with a higher molecular weight improved electricity generation. The optimal parameters for the MFC were an anode density of 1.22 g cm-3, a coke of 150 µm, an anode length of 6 cm, a PVA of 105,600 g mol-1, and a separator thickness of 1 cm. Results of continuous-flow experiments reveal that the increasing the sets of MFCs and connecting them in parallel markedly improved the degradation of benzene. More than 95% of benzene was removed and electricity of 38 mW m-2 was generated. The MFC ran continuously up to 120 days without maintenance.

A Photoactivated Gas Detector for Toluene Sensing at Room Temperature Based on New Coral-Like ZnO Nanostructure Arrays.

A photoactivated gas detector operated at room temperature was microfabricated using a simple hydrothermal method. We report that the photoactivated gas detector can detect toluene using a UV illumination of 2 µW/cm². By ultraviolet (UV) illumination, gas detectors sense toluene at room temperature without heating. A significant enhancement of detector sensitivity is achieved because of the high surface-area-to-volume ratio of the morphology of the coral-like ZnO nanorods arrays (NRAs) and the increased number of photo-induced oxygen ions under UV illumination. The corresponding sensitivity (ΔR/R0) of the detector based on coral-like ZnO NRAs is enhanced by approximately 1022% compared to that of thin-film detectors. The proposed detector greatly extends the dynamic range of detection of metal-oxide-based detectors for gas sensing applications. We report the first-ever detection of toluene with a novel coral-like NRAs gas detector at room temperature. A sensing mechanism model is also proposed to explain the sensing responses of gas detectors based on coral-like ZnO NRAs.

Alleviation of metal and BTEX inhibition on BTEX degradation using PVA-immobilized degrader: kinetic model of BTEX degradation.

Alleviation of metal inhibition on BTEX degradation using PVA-immobilized degrader (Mycobacterium sp. CHXY119) was investigated. When BTEX of 29 mg L(-1) [B:T:E:X = 1:1:1:1 (mg)] was used, more than 99 % of BTEX was simultaneously degraded by the free cells within 170 h. In contrast, BTEX of 114-172 mg L(-1) seriously inhibited degradation. High concentrations of metals (Mn(2+): 15, Ni(2+): 10, and Zn(2+): 10 mg L(-1)) also strongly inhibited BTEX degradation by the free cells at BTEX of 29 mg L(-1). Immobilization of degraders alleviated the inhibition of BTEX and heavy metals at high concentrations. A modified non-competitive inhibition model well described the BTEX degradation by the free and immobilized cells in the absence and presence of metal ions (R (2) = 0.92-0.99). The above results provide valuable information on treatment of metal-BTEX co-contaminated wastewater by the immobilized degrader.

Enhancing the Proton Exchange Membrane in Tubular Air-Cathode Microbial Fuel Cells through a Hydrophobic Polymer Coating on a Hydrogel.

The usage time of air-cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is significantly influenced by the moisture content within the proton exchange membrane (PEM). Therefore, enhancing the water retention capability of the PEM by applying a hydrophobic polymer coating to its surface has extended the PEM's usage time by three times and increased MFCs' operational duration by 66%. Moreover, the hydrophobic nature of the polymer coating reduces contamination on the PEM and prevents anode liquid from permeating into the air cathode. Towards the end of MFC operation, the internal resistance of the MFC is reduced by 45%. The polymer coating effectively maintained the oxygen reduction reaction activity in the cathode. The polymer coating's ability to restrict oxygen transmembrane diffusion is demonstrated by experimental data showing a significant decrease in oxygen diffusion coefficient due to its presence. The degradation efficiency of the chemical oxygen demand from 16% to 35% increased by a factor of one.

The complete genome sequence of Sedimentibacter sp. strain MB35-C1, isolated from the sewage sludge.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Sedimentibacter sp. strain MB35-C1, which was isolated from sewage sludge at the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Sanming Steel Co. Ltd. in Fujian, China. The resulting genome of strain MB35-C1 is a single contig of 3,621,605 bp.

Complete genome sequence of Anaerotignum sp. strain MB30-C6, isolated from sewage sludge of the wastewater treatment plant at a steel factory.

We report the complete genome sequence of Anaerotignum sp. strain MB30-C6, which was isolated from the dehydrated sludge collected at the wastewater treatment plant of Sanming Steel Co. Ltd. in Fujian, China. The resulting genome of strain MB30-C6 is a single contig of 3,104,838 bp with 39.49% GC content.

Whole-genome sequencing of Aminobacterium sp. strain MB27-C1, isolated from the wastewater treatment plant of a steel mill.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Aminobacterium sp. strain MB27-C1, which was isolated from sewage sludge collected at the wastewater treatment plant of Sanming Steel Co. Ltd. in Fujian, China. The resulting genome of strain MB27-C1 is a single contig of 2,427,830 bp with 41.58% GC content.

Space tourism flow generated from social media data.

The data is for empirical studies derived from a related research article about space tourism [1], which is a conceptual article with a different aim of economic measurement scale. Most space tourism research is conceptual because data from the nascent industry is limited [2]. Thus this data is constrictive for conducting empirical studies to contribute to quantitative analysis in space tourism [3]. Data from this study were collected by recruiting 361 respondents through snowball and convenient sampling targeted to samples interested in space tourism; 339 responses were adopted after the valid screening of missing data or data bias [4]. Targeted groups of potential space tourism customers were investigated to collect data through a designed questionnaire on the platform, Wenjuanxing, with a majority population database providing functions equivalent to Amazon Mechanical Turk [2]. The reliability and validity of all constructs showed that the questionnaire was proper for measurement [3]. Data analysis applied the structural equation model with Mplus to examine the CFA model and research hypothesis. Structural equation modeling was used to conduct the hypotheses test and model fitness through the statistical tool Mplus. Results imply that the data is suitable for conducting replication studies. To enlighten space tourism emergence studies, this data shows its importance for further research models [5].

Microplastics in the soil environment: Focusing on the sources, its transformation and change in morphology.

Microplastics (MPs) are small plastic pieces less than 5 mm in size. Previous studies have focused on the sources, transports, and fates of MPs in marine or sediment environments. However, limited attention has been given to the role of land as the primary source of MPs, and how plastic polymers are transformed into MPs through biological or abiotic effects during the transport process remains unclear. Here, we focus on the exploration of the main sources of MPs in the soil, highlighting that MP generation is not solely a byproduct of plastic production but can also result from the impact of biological and abiotic factors during the process of MPs transport. This review presents a new perspective on understanding the degradation of MPs in soil, considering soil as a distinct fluid and suggesting that the main transformation and change mediated by abiotic factors occur on the soil surface, while the main biodegradation occurs in the soil interior. This viewpoint is suggested because the role of some abiotic factors becomes less obvious in the soil interior, and MPs, whose surface is expected to colonize microorganisms, are gradually considered a carbon source independent of photosynthesis and net primary production. This review emphasizes the need to understand basic MPs information in soil for a rational evaluation of its environmental toxicity. Such understanding enables better control of MPs pollution in affected areas and prevents contamination in unaffected regions. Finally, knowledge gaps and future research directions necessary for advancements in this field are provided.

Complete genome sequence of Proteiniborus sp. MB09-C3, isolated from the feces of the black soldier fly larvae.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Proteiniborus sp. MB09-C3 (= BCRC 81405), isolated from the feces of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae. The genome of strain MB09-C3 was selected for further species delineation and comparative genomic analysis.

Complete genome sequence of Proteiniclasticum sp. QWL-01, isolated from sewage sludge.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Proteiniclasticum sp. QWL-01 (= BCRC 81396), isolated from sewage sludge of the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Sanming Steel Co. Ltd., Fujian, China. The genome of strain QWL-01 was selected for further species delineation and comparative genomic analysis.

Complete Genome Sequence of Tissierella sp. Strain Yu-01, Isolated from the Feces of the Black Soldier Fly.

We report the complete genome sequence of Tissierella sp. strain Yu-01 (=BCRC 81391), isolated from the feces of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae. This fly has increasingly been gaining attention because of its usefulness for recycling organic waste. The genome of strain Yu-01 was selected for further species delineation.

Robust synthetic gene network design via library-based search method.

MOTIVATION: Synthetic biology aims to develop the artificial gene networks with desirable behaviors using systematic method. These networks with desired behaviors could be constructed using diverse biological parts, which may limit the development to complex synthetic gene networks. Fortunately, some well-characterized promoter libraries for engineering gene networks are widely available. Thus, a synthetic gene network can be constructed by selecting adequate promoters from promoter libraries to achieve the desired behaviors. However, the present promoter libraries cannot be directly applied to engineer a synthetic gene network. In order to efficiently select adequate promoters from promoter libraries for a synthetic gene network, promoter libraries are needed to be redefined based on the dynamic gene regulation. RESULTS: Based on four design specifications, a library-based search method is proposed to efficiently select the most adequate promoter set from the redefined promoter libraries by a genetic algorithm (GA) to achieve optimal reference tracking design. As the number and size of promoter libraries increase, the proposed method can play an important role in the systematic design of synthetic biology. CONTACT: g883743@alumni.nthu.edu.tw; bschen@ee.nthu.edu.tw SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Biodegradation of semiconductor volatile organic compounds by four novel bacterial strains: a kinetic analysis.

This study isolated pure microorganisms for further bioreactor applications. Four novel strains of Pseudomonas citronellolis YAIP521, Paracoccus versutus HSAC51, Burkholderia sp. HUEL671, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa JUPG561 were isolated and tested for biodegradation of isopropyl alcohol (IPA), acetone, ethyl lactate (EL), and propylene glycol mono methyl ether acetate (PGMEA), respectively. The maximum biodegradation rates for IPA, acetone, EL, and PGMEA were 5.27, 3.87, 26.86, and 48.93 mg L(-1) h(-1), respectively. The Haldane kinetic parameters determined for these strains when degrading targeted volatile organic compounds were maximum specific growth rate, half-saturation constant, and inhibition constant. The isolated strains have potential application in various bioreactors. The kinetic parameters obtained in this study provide a basis for further bioreactor experiments.

Affective Mobile Language Tutoring System for Supporting Language Learning.

Students often face difficulties and experience negative emotions toward second language learning. The affective tutoring system (ATS) is a next-generation learning approach that can detect the affective status of learning to increase performance. Therefore, for the purposes of this study, an innovative affective mobile language tutoring system (AMLTS) was designed to support Japanese language learning. The effects of AMLTS, along with asynchronous discussion, that were intended to improve performance, were examined using a triangulation method. To investigate the effect on emotion, the proposed AMLTS provides a virtual emotion agent that can interact with users and record emotional events, learning assessments, and the results of the interaction into a database. Learning effectiveness evaluations were conducted via two experiments: prototype evaluation and final evaluation. Sixty-three students, all beginners, were invited to use the AMLTS to learn Japanese. The research results show that the proposed AMLTS affective interaction design significantly improves learner engagement and performance. In the emotion feedback analysis and learning process, AMLTS helped students deepen their understanding of the content, enabled them to clearly understand the content, and to engage in peer interaction and experience positive emotions. In the evaluation of system usability, AMLTS reveals good usability for foreign language acquisition.

Complete Genome Sequence of Methanofollis aquaemaris BCRC 16166T, Isolated from a Marine Aquaculture Fishpond.

The hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanofollis aquaemaris BCRC 16166T (= N2F9704T = DSM 14661T) was isolated from a marine aquaculture fishpond near Wang-gong (Taiwan, Republic of China). The genome of strain BCRC 16166T was selected for sequencing in order to provide further information about the species delineation and its infected virus.

Draft Genomes of Methanocalculus taiwanensis P2F9704aT and Methanocalculus chunghsingensis K1F9705bT, Hydrogenotrophic Methanogens Belonging to the Family Methanocalculaceae.

The family Methanocalculaceae comprises hydrogen- and formate-utilizing methanogens. Here, we report two additional draft genome sequences of Methanocalculaceae, those of Methanocalculus taiwanensis P2F9704aT (equivalent to BCRC 16182T and DSM 14663T) and Methanocalculus chunghsingensis K1F9705bT (equivalent to DSM 14646T and OCM 772T), which were selected for further species delineation and comparative genomic analyses.

Complete Genome Sequence of Methanofollis formosanus DSM 15483T, Isolated from an Aquaculture Fish Pond.

The hydrogenotrophic strain Methanofollis formosanus DSM 15483T (= ML15T = OCM 798T) was isolated from an aquaculture fish pond near Wang-gong, Taiwan. The genome of strain DSM 15483T was selected for sequencing in order to provide further information about the species delineation and its unique habitat.