Search for: All records

Microbial community assembly (MCA) processes that shape microbial communities in environments are being used to analyze engineered bioreactors such as activated sludge systems and anaerobic digesters. The goal of studying MCA is to be able to understand and predict the effect of design and operation procedures on bioreactor microbial composition and function. Ultimately, this can lead to bioreactors that are more efficient, resilient, or resistant to perturbations. This review summarizes the ecological theories underpinning MCA, evaluates MCA analysis methods, analyzes how these MCA-based methods are applied to engineered bioreactors, and extracts lessons from case studies. Furthermore, we suggest future directions in MCA research in engineered bioreactor systems. The review aims to provide insights and guidance to the growing number of environmental engineers who wish to design and understand bioreactors through the lens of MCA. 

Context. Protostellar outflows exhibit large variations in their structure depending on the observed gas emission. To understand the origin of the observed variations, it is important to analyze the differences in the observed morphology and kinematics of the different tracers. TheJames WebbSpace Telescope (JWST) allows us to study the physical structure of the protostellar outflow through well-known near-infrared shock tracers in a manner unrivaled by other existing ground-based and space-based telescopes at these wavelengths. Aims. This study analyzes the atomic jet and molecular outflow in the Class I protostar, TMC1A, utilizing spatially resolved [Fe II] and H₂lines to characterize the morphology and to identify previously undetected spatial features, and compare them to existing observations of TMC1A and its outflows observed at other wavelengths. Methods. We identified a large number of [Fe II] and H₂lines within the G140H, G235H, and G395H gratings of the NIRSpec IFU observations. We analyzed their morphology and position-velocity (PV) diagrams. From the observed [Fe II] line ratios, the extinction toward the jet is estimated. Results. We detected the bipolar Fe jet by revealing, for the first time, the presence of a redshifted atomic jet. Similarly, the red-shifted component of the H₂slower wide-angle outflow was observed. The [Fe II] and H₂redhifted emission both exhibit significantly lower flux densities compared to their blueshifted counterparts. Additionally, we report the detection of a collimated high-velocity (~100 km s⁻¹), blueshifted H₂outflow, suggesting the presence of a molecular jet in addition to the well-known wider angle low-velocity structure. The [Fe II] and H₂jets show multiple intensity peaks along the jet axis, which may be associated with ongoing or recent outburst events. In addition to the variation in their intensities, the H₂wide-angle outflow exhibits a ring-like structure. The blueshifted H₂outflow also shows a left-right brightness asymmetry likely due to interactions with the surrounding ambient medium and molecular outflows. Using the [Fe II] line ratios, the extinction along the atomic jet is estimated to be betweenA_V= 10–30 on the blueshifted side, with a trend of decreasing extinction with distance from the protostar. A similarA_Vis found for the redshifted side, supporting the argument for an intrinsic red-blue outflow lobe asymmetry rather than environmental effects such as extinction. This intrinsic difference revealed by the unprecedented sensitivity of JWST, suggests that younger outflows already exhibit the red-blue side asymmetry more commonly observed toward jets associated with Class II disks. 

Jatropha curcas seeds, as an abundant lignocellulosic biomass, offer a highly promising and ideal alternative for producing energy in the form of methane. Use of J. curcas seeds has the potential to significantly bolster the biofuel sector, fostering a more sustainable circular economy. In the current study, different fractions of processed J. curcas seeds were investigated for biogas production. J. curcas seed pressed cake, a by-product of biodiesel production, was subjected to methanolic extraction. The remaining solids, referred to as methanolic residues, yielded more biogas in batch experiments than pressed cake and residues from aqueous and n-hexane extractions. The compounds extracted with methanol inhibited hydrolysis and reduced biogas production by 35.5% compared to the same setup without extracts. In continuous reactors fed with methanolic residues, the highest biogas yield occurred at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 1 g VS L−1 day−1 and a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 20 days. The relative abundance of acetogenic bacteria was higher in reactors fed with methanolic residues than in those fed with seed pressed cake, seed oil, and whole seed. Jatropha seed oil and whole seed did not inhibit methanogens. A higher relative abundance of methanogenic communities was observed in all reactors at HRT of 20 days compared to those at HRTs at 15 and 10 days. These findings can be used to increase biogas production during anaerobic digestion of J. curcas seed components and suggests a zero-waste biorefinery production route for value added compounds derived from the removal of biogas-inhibiting components. 

The quasi-one-dimensional molecule-based Heisenberg antiferromagnet Cu(NO 3 ) 2 (pyz) 3 has an intrachain coupling J = 13.7(1) K ( ) and exhibits a state of long-range magnetic order below T N = 0.105(1) K. The ratio of interchain to intrachain coupling is estimated to be | J ′/ J | = 3.3 × 10 −3 , demonstrating a high degree of isolation for the Cu chains.