Biologically Produced Methane as a Renewable Energy Source.

Methanogens are a unique group of strictly anaerobic archaea that are more metabolically diverse than previously thought. Traditionally, it was thought that methanogens could only generate methane by coupling the oxidation of products formed by fermentative bacteria with the reduction of CO2. However, it has recently been observed that many methanogens can also use electrons extruded from metal-respiring bacteria, biocathodes, or insoluble electron shuttles as energy sources. Methanogens are found in both human-made and natural environments and are responsible for the production of ∼71% of the global atmospheric methane. Their habitats range from the human digestive tract to hydrothermal vents. Although biologically produced methane can negatively impact the environment if released into the atmosphere, when captured, it can serve as a potent fuel source. The anaerobic digestion of wastes such as animal manure, human sewage, or food waste produces biogas which is composed of ∼60% methane. Methane from biogas can be cleaned to yield purified methane (biomethane) that can be readily incorporated into natural gas pipelines making it a promising renewable energy source. Conventional anaerobic digestion is limited by long retention times, low organics removal efficiencies, and low biogas production rates. Therefore, many studies are being conducted to improve the anaerobic digestion process. Researchers have found that addition of conductive materials and/or electrically active cathodes to anaerobic digesters can stimulate the digestion process and increase methane content of biogas. It is hoped that optimization of anaerobic digesters will make biogas more readily accessible to the average person.

Proteins involved in electron transfer to Fe(III) and Mn(IV) oxides by Geobacter sulfurreducens and Geobacter uraniireducens.

Whole-genome microarray analysis of Geobacter sulfurreducens grown on insoluble Fe(III) oxide or Mn(IV) oxide versus soluble Fe(III) citrate revealed significantly different expression patterns. The most upregulated genes, omcS and omcT, encode cell-surface c-type cytochromes, OmcS being required for Fe(III) and Mn(IV) oxide reduction. Other electron transport genes upregulated on both metal oxides included genes encoding putative menaquinol : ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase complexes Cbc4 and Cbc5, periplasmic c-type cytochromes Dhc2 and PccF, outer membrane c-type cytochromes OmcC, OmcG and OmcV, multicopper oxidase OmpB, the structural components of electrically conductive pili, PilA-N and PilA-C, and enzymes that detoxify reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. Genes upregulated on Fe(III) oxide encode putative menaquinol : ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase complexes Cbc3 and Cbc6, periplasmic c-type cytochromes, including PccG and PccJ, and outer membrane c-type cytochromes, including OmcA, OmcE, OmcH, OmcL, OmcN, OmcO and OmcP. Electron transport genes upregulated on Mn(IV) oxide encode periplasmic c-type cytochromes PccR, PgcA, PpcA and PpcD, outer membrane c-type cytochromes OmaB/OmaC, OmcB and OmcZ, multicopper oxidase OmpC and menaquinone-reducing enzymes. Genetic studies indicated that MacA, OmcB, OmcF, OmcG, OmcH, OmcI, OmcJ, OmcM, OmcV and PccH, the putative Cbc5 complex subunit CbcC and the putative Cbc3 complex subunit CbcV are important for reduction of Fe(III) oxide but not essential for Mn(IV) oxide reduction. Gene expression patterns for Geobacter uraniireducens were similar. These results demonstrate that the physiology of Fe(III)-reducing bacteria differs significantly during growth on different insoluble and soluble electron acceptors and emphasize the importance of c-type cytochromes for extracellular electron transfer in G. sulfurreducens.

Molecular analysis of a sulphate-reducing consortium used to treat metal-containing effluents.

A sulphate-reducing consortium used in a bioprocess to remove toxic metals from solution as insoluble sulphides, was characterised using molecular (PCR-based) and traditional culturing techniques. After prolonged cultivation under anoxic biofilm-forming conditions, the mixed culture contained a low diversity of sulphate-reducing bacteria, dominated by one strain closely related to Desulfomicrobium norvegicum, identified by three independent PCR-based analyses. The genetic targets used were the 16S rRNA gene, the 16S-23S rRNA gene intergenic spacer region and the disulfite reductase (dsr) gene, which is conserved amongst all known sulphate-reducing bacteria. This organism was also isolated by conventional anaerobic techniques, confirming its presence in the mixed culture. A surprising diversity of other non-sulphate-reducing facultative and obligate anaerobes were detected, supporting a model of the symbiotic/commensal nature of carbon and energy fluxes in such a mixed culture while suggesting the physiological capacity for a wide range of biotransformations by this stable microbial consortium.

Microbial communities associated with electrodes harvesting electricity from a variety of aquatic sediments.

The microbial communities associated with electrodes from underwater fuel cells harvesting electricity from five different aquatic sediments were investigated. Three fuel cells were constructed with marine, salt-marsh, or freshwater sediments incubated in the laboratory. Fuel cells were also deployed in the field in salt marsh sediments in New Jersey and estuarine sediments in Oregon, USA. All of the sediments produced comparable amounts of power. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences after 3-7 months of incubation demonstrated that all of the energy-harvesting anodes were highly enriched in microorganisms in the delta-Proteobacteria when compared with control electrodes not connected to a cathode. Geobacteraceae accounted for the majority of delta-Proteobacterial sequences or all of the energy-harvesting anodes, except the one deployed at the Oregon estuarine site. Quantitative PCR analysis of 16S rRNA genes and culturing studies indicated that Geobacteraceae were 100-fold more abundant on the marine-deployed anodes versus controls. Sequences most similar to microorganisms in the family Desulfobulbaceae predominated on the anode deployed in the estuarine sediments, and a significant proportion of the sequences recovered from the freshwater anodes were closely related to the Fe(III)-reducing isolate, Geothrix fermentans. There was also a specific enrichment of microorganisms on energy harvesting cathodes, but the enriched populations varied with the sediment/water source. Thus, future studies designed to help optimize the harvesting of electricity from aquatic sediments or waste organic matter should focus on the electrode interactions of these microorganisms which are most competitive in colonizing anodes and cathodes.

Emerging indicators of ego growth and associated resistances.

In this paper the technique of resistance analysis is extended beyond a focus on defenses against aggressive drive derivatives to include a focus on resistances based on libidinal conflicts and resistances which stem from defenses against accessing and using autonomous ego functions. For example, patients may resist progress by forming primary defenses against expression of joyful affects, increased capacity to think, and/or new possibilities for effective action. This expanded focus for analysis of resistance permits us to build a technique bridge between drive-defense perspectives and ego psychology, it highlights the need to analyze the sense of danger involved in autonomous ego functioning, and it points to a way of freeing such functioning from the influences of resistance.

Race and transference in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.

Given the enduring primacy of race in western cultures, it is always a factor in any psychotherapeutic situation. In this paper, the role of race in elucidating transference manifestations is explored. Vignettes and clinical narratives are used to illustrate the point that race can be a useful vehicle for the expression and elaboration of transferences of defence, of drive derivative and of object ties. Several factors are discussed which influence whether and to what degree race serves as a point of engagement for transference reactions.

Prefrontal stimulus-produced hypotension in rat.

In 41 rats, bipolar electrical stimulation was administered to various regions of the frontal cortex, including the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC), infralimbic cortex, and convexity cortex. Resulting alterations of blood pressure and heart rate were noted. It was observed that hypotension resulted from stimulation administered to either LPFC, infralimbic cortex or ventral portion of MPFC (i.e. prelimbic cortex). Furthermore, stimulation of the LPFC typically produced bradycardia, whereas stimulation of the MPFC or infralimbic cortex had little or no effect on heart rate. Pharmacological and surgical blocks of the vagus nerves failed to attenuate the stimulus produced hypotension (SPH), as elicited from the prefrontal or infralimbic cortices, thus demonstrating that SPH in rats is not mediated by the vagus nerves. However, intraperitoneal injections of norepinephrine, which mimicked a state of increased sympathetic tone, were observed to completely block SPH. Accordingly, it is suggested that SPH may occur as the result of sympathetic inhibition. Furthermore, intravenous injections of naloxone were also observed to also completely block SPH, thus demonstrating that SPH may be mediated via opioid pathways.

Fiber optic probe for thermal profiling of liquids during crystal growth.

The applicability of quartz opitcal fibers to the thermal characterization of liquid solutions and melts during crystal growth was demonstrated in a Ga-As solution at 800 degrees C. The measured response time and signal-to-noise ratio were 0.7 s and 71 dB, respectively. Fiber probes offer greater responsivity with less disturbance to fluid flow than conventional thermocouples with protective sheaths and are particularly suited for the investigation of semiconductor crystal growth.