2× genomes - depth does matter

The use of low coverage genomes in comparative evolutionary analyses skews estimates of gene gains and losses

Performance of peat biofilters treating ethyl acetate and toluene mixtures under non-steady-state conditions

[Abstract] This paper presents the response of peat biofilters to loading changes corresponding to industrial practices such as overnight and weekend shutdowns, intermittent emission or inlet concentration peaks. Three laboratory-scale reactors fed with air contaminated with ethyl acetate, toluene or a 1:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and toluene were operated under 65 g m-3 h-1 inlet load and 60 s EBRT during 16 h/day, 5 days/week. Dynamic behavior after feed resumption after night and weekend closures showed a 1-2 h period of transient response to recover stable CO2 production values. No increase in VOC emission was observed, except for biofilters treating toluene for which a transient peak in VOC emission during 4-8 h after weekend closures was detected. More stressful conditions such as intermittent emissions (2 h-on/ 2 h-off, 16 h/day, 5 days/week), or inlet concentration peaks (40-min, 50% increase) were successfully handled in the biofilter treating only ethyl acetate; but deterioration in the operation was observed in presence of toluene. The system performance after 15-days starvation period was fully recovered in less than 8 h of re-acclimation period. Living and dead cells monitoring results are also presented

Chronopotentiometric study of the transport of phosphoric acid anions through an anion-exchange membrane under different pH values

[EN] Phosphate is the main cause of eutrophication in many water bodies. Its presence in waters is associated to the fact that is not completely removed in conventional wastewater treatment plants. On the other side, phosphate rocks are a non-renewable resource and considered as a critical raw material. A membrane separation process, able to recover phosphate from wastewater, is a promising process to avoid pollution and to reuse phosphate. This paper investigates the transport of salts of phosphoric acid through an anion-exchange membrane (AEM) by means of chronopotentiograms and polarization curves (CVCs). The presence of multiple transition times in the chronopotentiograms and the corresponding limiting current densities in the CVCs indicate a change in the species being transported in the membrane/diffusion boundary layer system, due to the hydrolysis reactions that take place when the concentration polarization is reached. Under the experimental conditions tested, coupled convection (gravitational and elctroconvection) occurs when a certain threshold in the membrane voltage drop is surpassed independently of the electrolyte concentration. However, at high pH values, only one transition time in the chronopotentiograms, due to the transfer of OH- ions with greater concentration and mobility. This fact is reflected in the CVCs by the large plateaus obtained, which hinders the occurrence of coupled convection phenomena, and consequently, water splitting can be considered as the main mechanism responsible for the overlimiting regime.The authors wish to thank the financial support from FINEP, FAPERGS, CAPES and CNPq (Brazil), from the BRICS-STI/CNPq (BRICS STI Framework Programme), from the European Union through the Erasmus Mundus Program (EBW +) and from the CYTED (Network 318RT0551).Gally, C.; García Gabaldón, M.; Ortega Navarro, EM.; Bernardes, A.; Pérez-Herranz, V. (2020). Chronopotentiometric study of the transport of phosphoric acid anions through an anion-exchange membrane under different pH values. Separation and Purification Technology. 238:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2019.116421S110238Cordell, D., Drangert, J.-O., & White, S. (2009). The story of phosphorus: Global food security and food for thought. Global Environmental Change, 19(2), 292-305. doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2008.10.009Cordell, D., Rosemarin, A., Schröder, J. J., & Smit, A. L. (2011). Towards global phosphorus security: A systems framework for phosphorus recovery and reuse options. Chemosphere, 84(6), 747-758. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.02.032Van Vuuren, D. P., Bouwman, A. F., & Beusen, A. H. W. (2010). Phosphorus demand for the 1970–2100 period: A scenario analysis of resource depletion. Global Environmental Change, 20(3), 428-439. doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2010.04.004Gilbert, N. (2009). Environment: The disappearing nutrient. 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(2015). Kinetics and capacities of phosphorus sorption to tertiary stage wastewater alum solids, and process implications for achieving low-level phosphorus effluents. Water Research, 85, 226-234. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2015.08.025Furuya, K., Hafuka, A., Kuroiwa, M., Satoh, H., Watanabe, Y., & Yamamura, H. (2017). Development of novel polysulfone membranes with embedded zirconium sulfate-surfactant micelle mesostructure for phosphate recovery from water through membrane filtration. Water Research, 124, 521-526. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2017.08.005Zhang, Y., Desmidt, E., Van Looveren, A., Pinoy, L., Meesschaert, B., & Van der Bruggen, B. (2013). Phosphate Separation and Recovery from Wastewater by Novel Electrodialysis. Environmental Science & Technology, 47(11), 5888-5895. doi:10.1021/es4004476Valverde-Pérez, B., Wágner, D. S., Lóránt, B., Gülay, A., Smets, B. F., & Plósz, B. G. (2016). Short-sludge age EBPR process – Microbial and biochemical process characterisation during reactor start-up and operation. Water Research, 104, 320-329. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2016.08.026Chen, X., Zhou, H., Zuo, K., Zhou, Y., Wang, Q., Sun, D., … Huang, X. (2017). Self-sustaining advanced wastewater purification and simultaneous in situ nutrient recovery in a novel bioelectrochemical system. Chemical Engineering Journal, 330, 692-697. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2017.07.130Le Corre, K. S., Valsami-Jones, E., Hobbs, P., & Parsons, S. A. (2009). Phosphorus Recovery from Wastewater by Struvite Crystallization: A Review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 39(6), 433-477. doi:10.1080/10643380701640573Ueno, Y., & Fujii, M. (2001). Three Years Experience of Operating and Selling Recovered Struvite from Full-Scale Plant. Environmental Technology, 22(11), 1373-1381. doi:10.1080/09593332208618196Battistoni, P., Boccadoro, R., Fatone, F., & Pavan, P. (2005). Auto-Nucleation and Crystal Growth of Struvite in a Demonstrative Fluidized Bed Reactor (FBR). Environmental Technology, 26(9), 975-982. doi:10.1080/09593332608618486Liu, R., Wang, Y., Wu, G., Luo, J., & Wang, S. (2017). Development of a selective electrodialysis for nutrient recovery and desalination during secondary effluent treatment. Chemical Engineering Journal, 322, 224-233. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2017.03.149Ren, S., Li, M., Sun, J., Bian, Y., Zuo, K., Zhang, X., … Huang, X. (2017). A novel electrochemical reactor for nitrogen and phosphorus recovery from domestic wastewater. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 11(4). doi:10.1007/s11783-017-0983-xWimalasiri, Y., Mossad, M., & Zou, L. (2015). Thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption of ammonium ions by graphene laminate electrodes in capacitive deionization. Desalination, 357, 178-188. doi:10.1016/j.desal.2014.11.015Huang, G.-H., Chen, T.-C., Hsu, S.-F., Huang, Y.-H., & Chuang, S.-H. (2013). Capacitive deionization (CDI) for removal of phosphate from aqueous solution. Desalination and Water Treatment, 52(4-6), 759-765. doi:10.1080/19443994.2013.826331Wang, X., Wang, Y., Zhang, X., Feng, H., Li, C., & Xu, T. (2013). Phosphate Recovery from Excess Sludge by Conventional Electrodialysis (CED) and Electrodialysis with Bipolar Membranes (EDBM). Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 52(45), 15896-15904. doi:10.1021/ie4014088Ebbers, B., Ottosen, L. M., & Jensen, P. E. (2015). Electrodialytic treatment of municipal wastewater and sludge for the removal of heavy metals and recovery of phosphorus. Electrochimica Acta, 181, 90-99. doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2015.04.097Pismenskaya, N., Nikonenko, V., Auclair, B., & Pourcelly, G. (2001). Transport of weak-electrolyte anions through anion exchange membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 189(1), 129-140. doi:10.1016/s0376-7388(01)00405-7Belashova, E. D., Kharchenko, O. A., Sarapulova, V. V., Nikonenko, V. V., & Pismenskaya, N. D. (2017). Effect of Protolysis Reactions on the Shape of Chronopotentiograms of a Homogeneous Anion-Exchange Membrane in NaH2PO4 Solution. Petroleum Chemistry, 57(13), 1207-1218. doi:10.1134/s0965544117130035Belashova, E. D., Pismenskaya, N. D., Nikonenko, V. V., Sistat, P., & Pourcelly, G. (2017). Current-voltage characteristic of anion-exchange membrane in monosodium phosphate solution. Modelling and experiment. Journal of Membrane Science, 542, 177-185. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2017.08.002Melnikova, E. D., Pismenskaya, N. D., Bazinet, L., Mikhaylin, S., & Nikonenko, V. V. (2018). Effect of ampholyte nature on current-voltage characteristic of anion-exchange membrane. Electrochimica Acta, 285, 185-191. doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2018.07.186Paltrinieri, L., Poltorak, L., Chu, L., Puts, T., van Baak, W., Sudhölter, E. J. R., & de Smet, L. C. P. M. (2018). Hybrid polyelectrolyte-anion exchange membrane and its interaction with phosphate. Reactive and Functional Polymers, 133, 126-135. doi:10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2018.10.005Rybalkina, O., Tsygurina, K., Melnikova, E., Mareev, S., Moroz, I., Nikonenko, V., & Pismenskaya, N. (2019). Partial Fluxes of Phosphoric Acid Anions through Anion-Exchange Membranes in the Course of NaH2PO4 Solution Electrodialysis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(14), 3593. doi:10.3390/ijms20143593Martí-Calatayud, M. C., Buzzi, D. C., García-Gabaldón, M., Bernardes, A. M., Tenório, J. A. S., & Pérez-Herranz, V. (2014). Ion transport through homogeneous and heterogeneous ion-exchange membranes in single salt and multicomponent electrolyte solutions. Journal of Membrane Science, 466, 45-57. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2014.04.033Benvenuti, T., García-Gabaldón, M., Ortega, E. M., Rodrigues, M. A. S., Bernardes, A. M., Pérez-Herranz, V., & Zoppas-Ferreira, J. (2017). Influence of the co-ions on the transport of sulfate through anion exchange membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 542, 320-328. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2017.08.021Ray, P., Shahi, V. K., Pathak, T. V., & Ramachandraiah, G. (1999). Transport phenomenon as a function of counter and co-ions in solution: chronopotentiometric behavior of anion exchange membrane in different aqueous electrolyte solutions. Journal of Membrane Science, 160(2), 243-254. doi:10.1016/s0376-7388(99)00088-5Martí-Calatayud, M. C., García-Gabaldón, M., Pérez-Herranz, V., & Ortega, E. (2011). Determination of transport properties of Ni(II) through a Nafion cation-exchange membrane in chromic acid solutions. Journal of Membrane Science, 379(1-2), 449-458. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2011.06.014Marder, L., Ortega Navarro, E. M., Pérez-Herranz, V., Bernardes, A. M., & Ferreira, J. Z. (2006). Evaluation of transition metals transport properties through a cation-exchange membrane by chronopotentiometry. Journal of Membrane Science, 284(1-2), 267-275. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2006.07.039Herraiz-Cardona, I., Ortega, E., & Pérez-Herranz, V. (2010). Evaluation of the Zn2+ transport properties through a cation-exchange membrane by chronopotentiometry. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 341(2), 380-385. doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2009.09.053Martí-Calatayud, M. C., García-Gabaldón, M., & Pérez-Herranz, V. (2012). Study of the effects of the applied current regime and the concentration of chromic acid on the transport of Ni2+ ions through Nafion 117 membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 392-393, 137-149. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2011.12.012Pismenskaia, N., Sistat, P., Huguet, P., Nikonenko, V., & Pourcelly, G. (2004). Chronopotentiometry applied to the study of ion transfer through anion exchange membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 228(1), 65-76. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2003.09.012Taky, M., Pourcelly, G., Lebon, F., & Gavach, C. (1992). Polarization phenomena at the interfaces between an electrolyte solution and an ion exchange membrane. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 336(1-2), 171-194. doi:10.1016/0022-0728(92)80270-eNikonenko, V. V., Pismenskaya, N. D., Belova, E. I., Sistat, P., Huguet, P., Pourcelly, G., & Larchet, C. (2010). Intensive current transfer in membrane systems: Modelling, mechanisms and application in electrodialysis. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 160(1-2), 101-123. doi:10.1016/j.cis.2010.08.001Krol, J. (1999). Concentration polarization with monopolar ion exchange membranes: currentâ voltage curves and water dissociation. Journal of Membrane Science, 162(1-2), 145-154. doi:10.1016/s0376-7388(99)00133-7Larchet, C., Nouri, S., Auclair, B., Dammak, L., & Nikonenko, V. (2008). Application of chronopotentiometry to determine the thickness of diffusion layer adjacent to an ion-exchange membrane under natural convection. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 139(1-2), 45-61. doi:10.1016/j.cis.2008.01.007Scarazzato, T., Panossian, Z., García-Gabaldón, M., Ortega, E. M., Tenório, J. A. S., Pérez-Herranz, V., & Espinosa, D. C. R. (2017). Evaluation of the transport properties of copper ions through a heterogeneous ion-exchange membrane in etidronic acid solutions by chronopotentiometry. Journal of Membrane Science, 535, 268-278. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2017.04.048Zook, J. M., Bodor, S., Gyurcsányi, R. E., & Lindner, E. (2010). Interpretation of chronopotentiometric transients of ion-selective membranes with two transition times. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 638(2), 254-261. doi:10.1016/j.jelechem.2009.11.007Martí-Calatayud, M. C., García-Gabaldón, M., & Pérez-Herranz, V. (2013). Effect of the equilibria of multivalent metal sulfates on the transport through cation-exchange membranes at different current regimes. 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Predictive Darken Equation for Maxwell-Stefan Diffusivities in Multicomponent Mixtures. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 50(17), 10350-10358. doi:10.1021/ie201008aElattar, A., Elmidaoui, A., Pismenskaia, N., Gavach, C., & Pourcelly, G. (1998). Comparison of transport properties of monovalent anions through anion-exchange membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 143(1-2), 249-261. doi:10.1016/s0376-7388(98)00013-1Choi, J.-H., Lee, H.-J., & Moon, S.-H. (2001). Effects of Electrolytes on the Transport Phenomena in a Cation-Exchange Membrane. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 238(1), 188-195. doi:10.1006/jcis.2001.7510Agmon, N. (1995). The Grotthuss mechanism. Chemical Physics Letters, 244(5-6), 456-462. doi:10.1016/0009-2614(95)00905-jChen, C., Tse, Y.-L. S., Lindberg, G. E., Knight, C., & Voth, G. A. (2016). Hydroxide Solvation and Transport in Anion Exchange Membranes. 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Role of water splitting in development of electroconvection in ion-exchange membrane systems. Desalination, 199(1-3), 59-61. doi:10.1016/j.desal.2006.03.14

Removal of a mixture of oxygenated VOCs in a biotrickling filter

[Abstract] Laboratory scale-studies on the biodegradation of a 1:1:1 wt mixture of three oxygenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ethanol, ethyl acetate and methyl-ethyl ketone (MEK) in a biotrickling filter were carried out using two identically sized columns, filled with different polypropylene rings. The reactors were seeded with a two-month preconditioned culture from activated sludge. The performance of the biotrickling filters was examined for a continuous period of 4 months at VOC concentration from 125 mg-C/m3 to 550 mg-C/m3 and at gas flow rates of around 1.0 m3/h, 2.0 m3/h and 4.6 m3/h, which correspond to gas empty bed residence times (EBRT) of 68 s, 33 s and 16 s, respectively. Similar performance was obtained for both supports. Intermittent flow rate of trickling liquid was shown as beneficial to improve the removal efficiency of the system. A stratification in the substrate consumption was observed from gas composition profiles, with MEK % in the emission greater than 78%. Continuous VOC feeding resulted in an excessive accumulation of biomass and high pressure drop was developed in less than 20-30 days of operation. Intermittent VOC loading with night and weekend feed cut-off periods passing dried air, but without water addition, was shown as a successful operational mode to control the biofilm thickness. In this case, operation at high inlet loads was extended for more than 50 days maintaining high removal efficiencies and low pressure drops

Impact of climate change on irrigation management for olive orchards at southern Spain

The irrigation management for olive orchards under future weather conditions requires the development of advanced tools for considering specific physiological and phenological components affected by the foreseen changes in climate and atmospheric [CO2]

Comparison of Gene Repertoires and Patterns of Evolutionary Rates in Eight Aphid Species That Differ by Reproductive Mode

In theory, the loss of sexual reproduction is expected to result in the accumulation of deleterious mutations. In aphids, two main types of life cycle, cyclic and obligate parthenogenesis, represent respectively “sexual” and “asexual” reproductive modes. We used the complete pea aphid genome and previously published expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from two other aphid species. In addition, we obtained 100,000 new ESTs from five more species. The final set comprised four sexual and four asexual aphid species and served to test the influence of the reproductive mode on the evolutionary rates of genes. We reconstructed coding sequences from ESTs and annotated these genes, discovering a novel peptide gene family that appears to be among the most highly expressed transcripts from several aphid species. From 203 genes found to be 1:1 orthologs among the eight species considered, we established a species tree that partly conflicted with taxonomy (for Myzus ascalonicus). We then used this topology to evaluate the dynamics of evolutionary rates and mutation accumulation in the four sexual and four asexual taxa. No significant increase of the nonsynonymous to synonymous ratio or of nonsynonymous mutation numbers was found in any of the four branches for asexual taxa. We however found a significant increase of the synonymous rate in the branch leading to the asexual species Rhopalosiphum maidis, which could be due to a change in the mutation rate or to an increased number of generations implied by its change of life cycle

Recent trends in molecular diagnostics of yeast infections : from PCR to NGS

The incidence of opportunistic yeast infections in humans has been increasing over recent years. These infections are difficult to treat and diagnose, in part due to the large number and broad diversity of species that can underlie the infection. In addition, resistance to one or several antifungal drugs in infecting strains is increasingly being reported, severely limiting therapeutic options and showcasing the need for rapid detection of the infecting agent and its drug susceptibility profile. Current methods for species and resistance identification lack satisfactory sensitivity and specificity, and often require prior culturing of the infecting agent, which delays diagnosis. Recently developed high-throughput technologies such as next generation sequencing or proteomics are opening completely new avenues for more sensitive, accurate and fast diagnosis of yeast pathogens. These approaches are the focus of intensive research, but translation into the clinics requires overcoming important challenges. In this review, we provide an overview of existing and recently emerged approaches that can be used in the identification of yeast pathogens and their drug resistance profiles. Throughout the text we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each methodology and discuss the most promising developments in their path from bench to bedside