Genome sequencing reveals the potential of an indigenous arsenotrophic bacterium; Achromobacter sp. KAs 3-5 for sub-surface arsenic mobilization and strategies for bioremediation

Prevalence of toxic arsenic (As) oxyanion species in oligotrophic groundwater of south-east Asiatic regions (India and Bangladesh) has threatened the health of millions of people. As-transforming bacteria alter the mobility, speciation and bioavailability of As in the aquifer ecosystem, hence play important roles in the biogeochemical cycling of As. Till date, only 19 cultivable As-transforming bacterial strains have been reported but with no description on their detail genomic and physiological perspective of As homeostasis. In this study, the draft genome (5.7 Mbp) of an As-transforming, aromatic hydrocarbon utilizing and iron disproportioning indigenous groundwater bacterium KAs 3-5 has been obtained by Ion-Torrent sequencing revealed 65% genomic GC content, 5100 protein coding genes, and taxonomic affiliation to the members of genus Achromobacter, with >85% of genomic completeness. Phylogenomic signatures like MLST of 10 house-keeping genes, cut-off of <95% of average nucleotide/amino acid identity (ANI/OrthoANI/AAI), <0.99 of tetra-nucleotide correlations, and <70% value of DNA-DNA homology with nearest phylogenetic neighbors exhibited its species distinctiveness among all the described Achromobacter sp. members. Pan-genomic analysis confirmed the strain’s potential to adapt wide array of environmental stresses with a higher abundance of unique genes for metabolism of amino acids, polyketide, xenobiotics, nitroso compounds, aromatic hydrocarbons and most necessarily complete operon cluster for As-resistance/transformation/detoxification, as well as genes for transport, and signal transduction mechanisms. The genome analysis also highlighted its genetic determinants for loss of functions for antibiotic resistance, pathogenicity regulations, and gain of new/acquired functions for Fe-transport, fatty acids uptake-metabolism, motility, heavy metal (Cu-Zn-Co) metabolism and several putative/hypothetical proteins owing to its capacity to acquired desired traits through horizontal gene transfer events. The ability of the organism to metabolize mono-poly aromatics like benzene, toluene, naphthalene, anthracene, etc. (by catechol, homogentisate pathways) coupled to As reduction (through arsHBC, arsC, ACR3) found to be well validated by genomic observations. X-ray absorption fine structure (XANES) also enabled us to decipher detailed Fe-based reductive As release process from sediment and its interaction. The obtained genome data provide us with a better understanding of sub-surface mechanisms of hydrocarbon (organic matter) driven As release, which may contribute to the future design of rational strategies for bioremediation of As/other heavy metal contaminated environments

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Not AvailableThe diversity of culturable Bacilli was investigated in six wheat cultivating agro-ecological zones of India viz: northern hills, north western plains, north eastern plains, central, peninsular, and southern hills. These agro-ecological regions are based on the climatic conditions such as pH, salinity, drought, and temperature. A total of 395 Bacilli were isolated by heat enrichment and different growth media. Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis using three restriction enzymes AluI, MspI, and HaeIII led to the clustering of these isolates into 19-27 clusters in the different zones at >70% similarity index, adding up to 137 groups. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing led to the identification of 55 distinct Bacilli that could be grouped in five families, Bacillaceae (68%), Paenibacillaceae (15%), Planococcaceae (8%), Staphylococcaceae (7%), and Bacillales incertae sedis (2%), which included eight genera namely Bacillus, Exiguobacterium, Lysinibacillus, Paenibacillus, Planococcus, Planomicrobium, Sporosarcina, and Staphylococcus. All 395 isolated Bacilli were screened for their plant growth promoting attributes, which included direct-plant growth promoting (solubilization of phosphorus, potassium, and zinc; production of phytohormones; 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity and nitrogen fixation), and indirect-plant growth promotion (antagonistic, production of lytic enzymes, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide, and ammonia). To our knowledge, this is the first report for the presence of Bacillus endophyticus, Paenibacillus xylanexedens, Planococcus citreus, Planomicrobium okeanokoites, Sporosarcina sp., and Staphylococcus succinus in wheat rhizosphere and exhibit multifunctional PGP attributes. These niche-specific and multifarious PGP Bacilli may serve as inoculants for crops growing in respective climatic conditions.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableForty one endophytic bacteria were isolated from surface-sterilized roots and culms of wheat var. HS507, growing in NW Indian Himalayas. These bacteria were screened in vitro for multifarious plant growth promoting attributes such as solubilization of phosphorus, potassium, zinc; production of indole acetic acids, hydrogen cyanide, gibberellic acid, siderophore and activities of nitrogen fixation, ACC deaminase and biocontrol against Rhizoctonia solani and Macrophomina phaseolina at low temperature (4 °C). One isolate IARI-HHS2-30, showed appreciable level of potassium solubilization was further characterized in vivo at control condition of low temperature. Based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis, this isolate was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens assigned accession number KF054757. Analysis of the phylogenetic characterization showed close homology with typical psychrotolerant bacteria Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus methylotrophicus, Bacillus polyfermenticus, Bacillus siamensis, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus vallismortis. Endophytic nature and plant growth promoting ability of IARI-HHS2-30 was tested by qualitatively and followed by inoculation onto wheat seedlings in low temperature conditions. At 30 days after inoculation, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IARI-HHS2-30 to wheat plants resulted in significant increase in root/shoot length, fresh weight, and chlorophyll a content. Plant growth promoting features coupled with psychrophilic ability suggest that this endophytic bacterium may be exploited as bio-inoculants for various crops in low temperature and high altitude conditionNot Availabl

Advanced Electric Battery Power Storage for Motors through the Use of Differential Gears and High Torque for Recirculating Power Generation

Electricity has become one of the most important factors contributing to both the livelihoods of individuals and global economic development. Most electricity generation is still derived from burning fossil fuels that contribute to environmental degradation. The aim of this research, through innovative design, was to create clean circular technology through the utilization of electronic devices that control and send optimally timed commands to two 72-volt batteries (DC) that store and distribute energy. This new form of electric power generation was adapted to be used with a three-way differential gear system. The speed of transmission was adjusted, and shaft rotation was connected to a 7.5 kw/h DC power motor with two 15 kw/h alternators in three phases to generate high torque power at the desired rate of 3000 RPM and electricity. The first set of alternators generated the electrical energy to be distributed. The circuit system of battery set one was used for storage and slowly fed to the motor, which was kept continuously running for hours. The second alternator distributed the generated voltage to the secondary battery, which stored backup power and provided the main power to the grid. This system is especially appealing for those looking to improve energy efficiency and contribute to the green economy, as this system can be applied to power charging stations for electric vehicles or used as a backup power source for buildings

Treatment of Infectious Waste through the Application Rotary Kiln Incinerators and Ozone Technology

The alarming rate at which infectious waste is growing was an unsolved problem worldwide before the pandemic, and it has only gotten worse. It is especially prominent in the medical services, owing to the improper use or the lack of high-efficiency waste management systems. To address this issue, this paper presents a modification to the conventional rotary kiln incineration method using add-on ozone (O3) at a concentration of 100–160 g/h in order to enhance its efficiency when treating emitted air pollutants. These pollutants of Hg, HF, TSP, SO2, NO2, CO, and HCl were measured, and their percent opacity concentrations were 0.006 mg/m3, 0.680 mg/m3, 21.900 mg/m3, 5.600 mg/m3, 16.300 mg/m3, 13.700 mg/m3, 0.022 mg/m3, and 6%, respectively. The amounts of these air pollutants were considerably lower than those released from a rotary kiln incinerator without the add-on ozone. Additionally, all the measurements were lower than the emission thresholds established in the US Environmental Protection Agency Emission Standards Reference Guide. Therefore, using the proposed rotary kiln incineration method modified with add-on ozone is suitable for use in the elimination of infectious waste in that it drastically reduces air pollution and improves air quality, resulting in environmental improvements aimed at mitigating the devastating impacts pollution has on human health

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Not AvailableThe biodiversity of wheat associated bacteria was deciphered from the peninsular zone of India. A total of 264 isolated bacteria were analyzed through amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA, using three restriction enzymes Alu I, Msp I and Hae III, which led to the clustering of these isolates into 12–16 groups for the different sites at >75% similarity index, adding up to 70 groups). 16S rRNA gene based phylogenetic analysis, revealed that all the bacteria belonged to three phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria of 32 distinct species of 15 genera namely: Achromobacter, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Delftia, Enterobacter, Exiguobacterium, Klebsiella, Methylobacterium, Micrococcus, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhodobacter, Salmonella and Staphylococcus. Representative strains from each cluster were screened in vitro for plant growth promoting traits. Among plant growth promoting activities, siderophore producers were highest (15%), when compared to indole acetic acid producers (13%), Zn-solubilizers (11%), P-solubilizers (11%), ammonia (10%), hydrogen cyanide producers (9%), biocontrol (8%), N2-fixers (7%), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (6%), GA producers (6%) and K-solubilizers (5%). Among 32 representative strains, Alcaligenes faecalis, Arthrobacter sp., Bacillus siamensis, Bacillus subtilis, Delftia acidovorans, Methylobacterium mesophilicum, Methylobacterium sp., Pseudomonas poae, Pseudomonas putida, and Pseudomonas stutzeri exhibited more than six different plant growth promoting activities at high temperature. Thermotolerant bacterial isolates may have application as inoculants for plant growth promotion and biocontrol agents for crops growing at high temperature conditions.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe biodiversity of wheat-associated bacteria from the northern hills zone of India was deciphered. A total of 247 bacteria was isolated from five different sites. Analysis of these bacteria by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) using three restriction enzymes, AluI, MspI and HaeIII, led to the grouping of these isolates into 19–33 clusters for the different sites at 75 % similarity index. 16S rRNA gene based phylogenetic analysis revealed that 65 %, 26 %, 8 % and 1 % bacteria belonged to four phyla, namely Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes, respectively. Overall, 28 % of the total morphotypes belonged to Pseudomonas followed by Bacillus (20 %), Stenotrophomonas (9 %), Methylobacterium (8 %), Arthrobacter (7 %), Pantoea (4 %), Achromobacter, Acinetobacter, Exiguobacterium and Staphylococcus (3 %), Enterobacter, Providencia, Klebsiella and Leclercia (2 %), Brevundimonas, Flavobacterium, Kocuria, Kluyvera and Planococcus (1 %). Representative strains from each cluster were screened in vitro for plant growth promoting traits, which included solubilisation of phosphorus, potassium and zinc; production of ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, indole-3-acetic acid and siderophore; nitrogen fixation, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity and biocontrol against Fusarium graminearum, Rhizoctonia solani and Macrophomina phaseolina. Cold-adapted isolates may have application as inoculants for plant growth promotion and biocontrol agents for crops growing under cold climatic conditions.Not Availabl

Advanced Power Generation Using a Nitrogen Turbine Engine Instead of a Conventional Injection Steam Turbine Engine

An ever-increasing demand for electrical power and soaring levels of energy consumption around the world have led to an energy crisis. Thus, this paper aims to review the conventional technologies against those of newer developments in electrical power generation such as using nitrogen generators. The nitrogen generator method is most appealing as it is a seemingly free energy already existing in nature. A nitrogen generator with a 5000 (Nm3/h) capacity has the potential to be used to analyze gas composition and the results are compared with the gas composition of a conventional steam turbine, which is used to pressurize 6000 (kWh) injection steam turbines. The magnetic bearing must be installed in both systems to modify all centrifuged systems which reduces all energy consumption in all systems by more than 50%. Artificial intelligence is used with the machine to analyze and control nitrogen gas flow to provide a more precise evaluation resulting in a more efficient technology. It should further be noted that the nitrogen turbine is superior to the steam turbine because it does not require the burning of fossil fuel to generate power. Hence, it is crucial to modify conventional technologies to improve energy sustainability and begin the long task of tackling environmental issues