Microbial communities in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) treating domestic wastewater at ambient temperatures in a temperate climate

Master of ScienceDepartment of Civil EngineeringPrathap ParameswaranThe ever-increasing demand for water, food, and energy and the simultaneous diminishment of our planets’ ecosystems wrought by humans have prompted a more sustainable approach to engineering the built environment. Wastewater treatment systems stand at the interface that connects the built and natural environment where potential solutions for resource and environmental issues exist. Wastewater treatment technologies can address issues involving water, food, energy, and environmental regulation when resources are properly captured from the wastewater while it’s being treated. This way of thought allows wastewater to be perceived as a source of valuable products rather than an obligate waste stream. For this reason, anaerobic wastewater treatment is progressively being considered because of its ability to improve energy and resource recovery, while reducing costs and environmental impacts associated with conventional domestic wastewater treatment. More specifically, anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) hold promise to effectively treat wastewater at low temperatures with low energy and nutrient requirements, low sludge production, while having the benefit of generating methane-rich biogas suitable as an energy source and the potential to capture nutrients used to fertilize cropland. But, at low temperatures the microbial communities that control anaerobic digestion (AD) face biochemical obstacles. Elucidating the microbial community dynamics within AnMBRs with respect to seasonal temperatures will give insight on how to efficiently operate AnMBRs with the goal of energy-neutral wastewater treatment. DNA based tools such as advanced high-throughput sequencing was coupled with AnMBR process data to explicate the mechanism of methane production in the suspended biomass of an AnMBR from a mesophilic startup leading into psychrophilic conditions, and then returning to mesophilic temperatures

Roadmap on structured light

Structured light refers to the generation and application of custom light fields. As the tools and technology to create and detect structured light have evolved, steadily the applications have begun to emerge. This roadmap touches on the key fields within structured light from the perspective of experts in those areas, providing insight into the current state and the challenges their respective fields face. Collectively the roadmap outlines the venerable nature of structured light research and the exciting prospects for the future that are yet to be realized

Evaluating university industry collaborative research centers

This research provides performance metrics for cooperative research centers that enhance translational research through partnerships formed by government, industry and academia. Centers are part of complex ecosystems and vary greatly in the type of science conducted, organizational structures and expected outcomes. The ability to realize their objectives depends on transparent measurement systems to assist in decision making in research translation. We introduce a hierarchical decision model that uses both quantitative and qualitative metrics. A generalizable model is developed based upon program goals. The results are validated through consultation with experts. The method is illustrated using data from the National Science Foundation's industry/university cooperative research center (IUCRC) program. The methodology provides a basis for a generalizable model and measurement system to compares performance of university science and engineering focused research centers supported by industry and government

Salt Induces Features of a Dormancy-Like State in Seeds of Eutrema (Thellungiella) salsugineum, a Halophytic Relative of Arabidopsis

[EN] The salinization of land is a major factor limiting crop production worldwide. Halophytes adapted to high levels of salinity are likely to possess useful genes for improving crop tolerance to salt stress. In addition, halophytes could provide a food source on marginal lands. However, despite halophytes being salt-tolerant plants, the seeds of several halophytic species will not germinate on saline soils. Yet, little is understood regarding biochemical and gene expression changes underlying salt-mediated inhibition of halophyte seed germination. We have used the halophytic Arabidopsis relative model system, Eutrema (Thellungiella) salsugineum to explore salt-mediated inhibition of germination. We show that E. salsugineum seed germination is inhibited by salt to a far greater extent than in Arabidopsis, and that this inhibition is in response to the osmotic component of salt exposure. E. salsugineum seeds remain viable even when germination is completely inhibited, and germination resumes once seeds are transferred to non-saline conditions. Moreover, removal of the seed coat from salt treated seeds allows embryos to germinate on salt-containing medium. Mobilization of seed storage reserves is restricted in salt treated seeds, while many germination associated metabolic changes are arrested or progress to a lower extent. Salt-exposed seeds are further characterized by a reduced GA/ABA ratio and increased expression of the germination repressor genes, RGL2,AB15, and DOG1. Furthermore, a salt-mediated increase in expression of a LATE EMBRYOGENESIS ABUNDANT gene and accretion of metabolites involved in osmoprotection indicates induction of processes associated with stress tolerance, and accumulation of easily mobilized carbon reserves. Overall, our results suggest that salt inhibits E. salsugineum seed germination by inducing a seed state with molecular features of dormancy while a physical constraint to radicle emergence is provided by the seed coat layers. This seed state could facilitate survival on saline soils until a rain event(s) increases soil water potential indicating favorable conditions for seed germination and establishment of salt-tolerant E. salsugineum seedlings.We would like to thank Ruti Shaked, and Noga Sikron for excellent technical help. This work was supported by the I-CORE Program of the Planning and Budgeting Committee and The Israel Science Foundation (grant no. 152/11 to SB), The Pearlstein Foundation (to AF), and the Center for Absorption in Science, Israel Ministry of Immigrant Absorption Grant (to YK).Kazachkova, Y.; Khan, A.; Acuña, T.; Lopez Diaz, I.; Carrera Bergua, E.; Khozin-Goldberg, I.; Fait, A.... (2016). Salt Induces Features of a Dormancy-Like State in Seeds of Eutrema (Thellungiella) salsugineum, a Halophytic Relative of Arabidopsis. Frontiers in Plant Science. 7(1071):1-18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.01071S1187107

Learning new sensorimotor contingencies:Effects of long-term use of sensory augmentation on the brain and conscious perception

Theories of embodied cognition propose that perception is shaped by sensory stimuli and by the actions of the organism. Following sensorimotor contingency theory, the mastery of lawful relations between own behavior and resulting changes in sensory signals, called sensorimotor contingencies, is constitutive of conscious perception. Sensorimotor contingency theory predicts that, after training, knowledge relating to new sensorimotor contingencies develops, leading to changes in the activation of sensorimotor systems, and concomitant changes in perception. In the present study, we spell out this hypothesis in detail and investigate whether it is possible to learn new sensorimotor contingencies by sensory augmentation. Specifically, we designed an fMRI compatible sensory augmentation device, the feelSpace belt, which gives orientation information about the direction of magnetic north via vibrotactile stimulation on the waist of participants. In a longitudinal study, participants trained with this belt for seven weeks in natural environment. Our EEG results indicate that training with the belt leads to changes in sleep architecture early in the training phase, compatible with the consolidation of procedural learning as well as increased sensorimotor processing and motor programming. The fMRI results suggest that training entails activity in sensory as well as higher motor centers and brain areas known to be involved in navigation. These neural changes are accompanied with changes in how space and the belt signal are perceived, as well as with increased trust in navigational ability. Thus, our data on physiological processes and subjective experiences are compatible with the hypothesis that new sensorimotor contingencies can be acquired using sensory augmentation