Extremophiles in Sustainable Bioenergy Production as Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology is considered one of the renewable sources of energy for the production of bioelectricity from waste. Due to the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental considerations, MFC haa garnered increasing importance as it is a sustainable and environmentally-friendly method of generation of bioenergy. In MFC, electroactive bacteria (EAB) and biofilms are harnessed to convert organic substances to electrical energy. Extremophiles survive in extreme environments, and they have demonstrated potential applications in microbial electrical systems (MES) and MFC technology. The key limitations of MFC are the low power output and engineering constraints of the fuel cell. Hence, it is imperative to understand the genetics, key metabolic pathways, and molecular mechanisms of the EAB for enhancing the power generation in MFC. This chapter gives a brief overview of the scope and applications of extremophiles in wastewater treatment, bioelectricity, and biohydrogen production using MFC, eventually enhancing the functional efficiency of MFC.

Dynamics of Performing Aesthetics in Architecture: A Critical Study

In architecture, Venustas (aesthetics) is always considered an important attribute along with Firmitas (firmness) and Utilitas (usefulness). Pursuing aesthetics/ beauty is one of the architect’s primary roles. However, it is critical to comprehend ‘What is aesthetics?’ and its implications for the built-unbuilt environment and human beings. In a world where everything is changing, are the definitions, concepts, and parameters of aesthetics consistent? Is it subject to change over time? If so, should architectural students and professionals be aware of it and trained in it? This study aims to critically assess and analyse the dynamic aspects of aesthetics from 3300 BCE to present and establish the ‘best fit’ definition of aesthetics in architecture. The methodology used for the study is a mixed-method approach, a comprehensive analysis of relevant literature to investigate the origin of aesthetics and aesthetics in philosophy, environmental psychology and architecture. The aspects, criteria and sub-criteria identified from the analysis. The consensus is taken from expert interviews and a questionnaire survey (n=72). Findings reveal that aesthetics in architecture is dynamic/ ever-changing. It has nine contributing aspects that make aesthetics a performing aesthetics that emphasises the enhanced worth and value for money invested. These nine aspects are spatial organisation, functional efficiency, social, psychological, environmental, maintenance, sustainability, technology, and economics.

Reversion mutations in phosphoprotein P of a codon-pair-deoptimized human respiratory syncytial virus confer increased transcription, immunogenicity, and genetic stability without loss of attenuation

Recoding viral genomes by introducing numerous synonymous nucleotide substitutions that create suboptimal codon pairs provides new live-attenuated vaccine candidates. Because recoding typically involves a large number of nucleotide substitutions, the risk of de-attenuation is presumed to be low. However, this has not been thoroughly studied. We previously generated human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in which the NS1, NS2, N, P, M and SH ORFs were codon-pair deoptimized (CPD) by 695 synonymous nucleotide changes (Min A virus). Min A exhibited a global reduction in transcription and protein synthesis, was restricted for replication in vitro and in vivo, and exhibited moderate temperature sensitivity. Here, we show that under selective pressure by serial passage at progressively increasing temperatures, Min A regained replication fitness and lost its temperature sensitivity. Whole-genome deep sequencing identified numerous missense mutations in several genes, in particular ones accumulating between codons 25 and 34 of the phosphoprotein (P), a polymerase cofactor and chaperone. When re-introduced into Min A, these P mutations restored viral transcription to wt level, resulting in increased protein expression and RNA replication. Molecular dynamic simulations suggested that these P mutations increased the flexibility of the N-terminal domain of P, which might facilitate its interaction with the nucleoprotein N, and increase the functional efficiency of the RSV transcription/replication complex. Finally, we evaluated the effect of the P mutations on Min A replication and immunogenicity in hamsters. Mutation P[F28V] paradoxically reduced Min A replication but not its immunogenicity. The further addition of one missense mutation each in M and L generated a version of Min A with increased genetic stability. Thus, this study provides further insight into the adaptability of large-scale recoded RNA viruses under selective pressure and identified an improved CPD RSV vaccine candidate.

انتشار التعليم الأهلي: دراسة جغرافية تحليلية لعوامل ظهوره وانتشاره وكفاءته الوظيفية في مدينة بغداد

The research aims to assess the functional efficiency of private education institutions when performing their task at a high level to satisfy the needs of the city’s residents. It has been recently noticed that people favor private education to government institutions education; a matter which has led to the phenomenon of its spread, and to access its consequences. Its spread has competed not only the governmental institutions, but also the private institutions among themselves in providing the best educational services and survive accordingly. The present paper further examines the pressing negative side on the teaching faculty, especially with regard to their monthly income. The positive and negative points altogether have made it urgent to find the best and proper solutions to enhance faculty members’ output, and increase their positive sides to serve the educational service. Such steps cannot be achieved without conducting tests inside these private educational institutions to interpret all their scientific queries. The study has used the descriptive, functional and analytical approach, and adopted a field study by collecting relevant data and information for the purpose of the research and its problem based on the reality of the facilities of this service for the year (2020). The first two questionnaire forms were distributed to a sample of (1520) parents of students in private schools, by taking one student per family. The second sample amounted to (200) survey forms distributed to the teaching faculty. Results have shown that the high percentage of students registered in the primary stage greatly surpassed the rest of the educational stages. Besides, the increase in the educational level provided by these institutions is the reason for its spread; that is why, the level of students’ parents’ satisfaction has increased to (good) level.

Analysis of Energy Harvesting Enhancement in Piezoelectric Unimorph Cantilevers

Environmental energy harvesting is a major operation in research and industries. Currently, researchers have started analyzing small-scale energy scavengers for the supply of energy in low-power electrical appliances. One area of interest is the use of piezoelectric materials, especially in the presence of mechanical vibrations. This study analyzed a unimorph cantilever beam in different modes by evaluating the effects of various parameters, such as geometry, piezoelectric material, lengths of layers, and the proof mass to the energy harvesting process. The finite element method was employed for analysis. The proposed model was designed and simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics, and the output parameters, i.e., natural frequencies and the output voltage, were then evaluated. The results suggested a considerable effect of geometrical and physical parameters on the energy harvesters and could lead to designing devices with a higher functional efficiency.

Information-extreme machine training of on-board recognition system with optimization of RGB-component digital images

The research increases the recognition reliability of ground natural and infrastructural objects by use of an autonomous onboard unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). An information-extreme machine learning method of an autonomous onboard recognition system with the optimization of RGB components of a digital image of ground objects is proposed. The method is developed within the framework of the functional approach to modeling cognitive processes of natural intelligence at the formation and acceptance of classification decisions. This approach, in contrast to the known methods of data mining, including neuro-like structures, provides the recognition system with the properties of adaptability to arbitrary initial conditions of image formation and flexibility in retraining the system. The idea of the proposed method is to maximize the information capacity of the recognition system in the machine learning process. As a criterion for optimizing machine learning parameters, a modified Kullback information measure was used, this informational criterion is the functionality of exact characteristics. As optimization parameters, the geometric parameters of hyperspherical containers of recognition classes and control tolerances for recognition signs were considered, which played the role of input data quantization levels when transforming the input Euclidean training matrix into a working binary training matrix using admissible transformations of a working training matrix the offered machine learning method allows to adapt the input mathematical description of recognition system to the maximum full probability of the correct classification decision acceptance. To increase the depth of information-extreme machine learning, optimization was conducted according to the information criterion of the weight coefficients of the RGB components of the brightness spectrum of ground object images. The results of physical modeling on the example the recognition of terrestrial natural and infrastructural objects confirm the increase in functional efficiency of information-extreme machine learning of on-board system at optimum in information understanding weight coefficients of RGB-components of terrestrial objects image brightness.

Multimeric Association of Purified Novel Bowman-Birk Inhibitor From the Medicinal Forage Legume Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.

A Bowman-Birk protease, i.e., Mucuna pruriens trypsin inhibitor (MPTI), was purified from the seeds by 55.702-fold and revealed a single trypsin inhibitor on a zymogram with a specific activity of 202.31 TIU/mg of protein. On sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) under non-reducing conditions, the protease trypsin inhibitor fraction [i.e., trypsin inhibitor non-reducing (TINR)] exhibited molecular weights of 74 and 37 kDa, and under reducing conditions [i.e., trypsin inhibitor reducing (TIR)], 37 and 18 kDa. TINR-37 revealed protease inhibitor activity on native PAGE and 37 and 18 kDa protein bands on SDS–PAGE. TINR-74 showed peaks corresponding to 18.695, 37.39, 56.085, and 74.78 kDa on ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization/quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (ESI/QTOF-MS). Similarly, TINR-37 displayed 18.695 and 37.39 kDa peaks. Furthermore, TIR-37 and TIR-18 exhibited peaks corresponding to 37.39 and 18.695 kDa. Multiple peaks observed by the UPLC-ESI/QTOF analysis revealed the multimeric association, confirming the characteristic and functional features of Bowman-Birk inhibitors (BBIs). The multimeric association helps to achieve more stability, thus enhancing their functional efficiency. MPTI was found to be a competitive inhibitor which again suggested that it belongs to the BBI family of inhibitors, displayed an inhibitor constant of 1.3 × 10–6 M, and further demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory activity. The study provided a comprehensive basis for the identification of multimeric associates and their therapeutic potential, which could elaborate the stability and functional efficiency of the MPTI in the native state from M. pruriens.

Best practice of using air-bubble curtains as part of complex fish protection structures

Приведены результаты исследований работы комплексных рыбозащитных сооружений с использованием воздушно-пузырьковых завес. Дано описание механизма работы комплексных рыбозащитных сооружений и принципа работы воздушно-пузырьковой завесы. На основе гидравлического расчета разработана методика проектирования и применения воздушно-пузырьковой завесы в составе комплексных рыбозащитных сооружений. Приведены результаты исследований по оценке функциональной эффективности построенных комплексных рыбозащитных сооружений. Комплексные рыбозащитные сооружения, имеющие в своем составе запани и воздушно-пузырьковые завесы и работающие в эрлифтном режиме, достаточно эффективно защищают молодь рыб. При правильно подобранных параметрах работы оборудования и выбранном створе размещения сооружений, с учетом гидравлических и технических особенностей водозабора, их эффективность гарантированно превышает нормативные значения. The results of studying the operation of complex fish protection structures with the use of air-bubble curtains are presented. A description of the operating mechanism of complex fish protection structures and the principle of operation of the air-bubble curtain is given. On the basis of a hydraulic calculation, a method for designing and using an air-bubble curtain as part of complex fish protection structures has been developed. The results of estimating the functional efficiency of the built complex fish protection structures are presented. The complex fish protection structures that include debris deflectors and air-bubble curtains and operate in an air-lift mode, effectively protect fish fry. Provided the operating parameters of the equipment and the selected alignment of the structures with account of the hydraulic and technical features of the water intake have been correctly chosen, their efficiency is guaranteed to exceed the standard values.

Multi-Source Hybrid Energy Harvesting Wireless Sensor Network Framework for Addressing Energy Unpredictability Issues

Energy harvesting wireless sensor network (EH-WSN) harvests energy from the environment to supply power to the sensor nodes which apparently enhances their lifetime. However, the unpredictable nature of the resources throws challenges to the sustainability of energy supply for the continuous network operation. This creates a gap between unstable energy harvesting rates & energy requirements of the nodes of the network. The state-of-the-art algorithms proposed so far to address this problem domain are not able to bridge the gap fully to standardize the framework. Hence there is considerable scope of research to create a trade-off between EH techniques and specially designed protocols for in EH-WSN. Current study evaluates the performance and efficiency of some futuristic techniques which incorporate advanced tools and algorithms. The study aims to identify the strength and weaknesses of the proposed techniques which can emerge specific research requirement in this field. Finally, we propose a research direction towards Multi-source Hybrid EH-WSN (MHEHWSN) which is able to maximize energy availability and functional efficiency. The scope of this study is to develop a notion of a framework which eliminates the limitations of very recent techniques of EH-WSN by including multiple energy resources to extract required energy even in presence of unpredictability. However, keeping in mind the ease of use and less complex structure Multi-source hybrid EH technique requires a careful design paradigm.

A Review of Biofouling of Ships’ Internal Seawater Systems

Internal seawater systems (ISS) are critical to the proper functioning of maritime vessels. Sea water is pumped on board ships for a broad array of uses, primarily for temperature control (e.g., engine and electrical systems), cooling capacity (e.g., air conditioners and refrigeration), and water provision (e.g., drinking, firefighting, steam, and ballast). Although sea water may spend only a brief period within ISS of a vessel, it can carry microorganisms and larval stages of macroorganisms throughout the system leading to biofouling accumulation that can impair system function or integrity. ISS can also act as a sub-vector of species translocations, potentially facilitating biological invasions. This review describes ships’ ISS with a focus on operational impacts of biofouling and current drivers and barriers associated with ISS biofouling management. As ISS internal components are difficult to access, reports and studies of ISS biofouling are uncommon and much of the dedicated literature is decades old. The impact of biofouling on ISS and vessel operations is based on increased surface roughness of pipework and equipment, restricted water flow, corrosion and subsequent component impingement, reduced surface functional efficiency, and potential contamination by pathogens that can affect human and aquatic animal health. Biofouling management is primarily achieved using antifouling coatings and marine growth prevention systems, but independent and accessible data on their efficacy in ISS remain limited. Further research is required to resolve the extent to which biofouling occurs in ISS of the modern commercial fleet and the efficacy of preventive systems. Such information can ultimately inform decisions to improve operational efficiency for vessel operators and ensure any biosecurity risks are appropriately managed.