7,638 research outputs found
The role of the motility of Methylobacterium in bacterial interactions in drinking water
Bacterial motility is one important factor that affects biofilm formation. In drinking water there are key bacteria in aggregation, whose biology acts to enhance the formation of biofilms. However, it is unclear whether the motility of these key bacteria is an important factor for the interactions between bacteria in drinking water, and, subsequently, in the formation of aggregates, which are precursors to biofilms. Thus, the role of the motility of one of these key bacteria, the Methylobacterium strain DSM 18358, was investigated in the interactions between bacteria in drinking water. The motility of pure Methylobacterium colonies was initially explored; if it was affected by the viscosity of substrate, the temperature, the available energy and the type of substrate. Furthermore, the role of Methylobacterium in the interactions between mixed drinking water bacteria was investigated under the mostly favourable conditions for the motility of Methylobacterium identified before. Overall, the motility of Methylobacterium was found to play a key role in the communication and interactions between bacteria in drinking water. Understanding the role of the motility of key bacteria in drinking water might be useful for the water industry as a potential tool to control the formation of biofilms in drinking water pipes
Luminosities and mass-loss rates of Local Group AGB stars and Red Supergiants
We aim to investigate mass loss and luminosity in a large sample of evolved
stars in several Local Group galaxies with a variety of metalliticies and
star-formation histories: the Small and Large Magellanic Cloud, and the Fornax,
Carina, and Sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxies. Dust radiative transfer models
are presented for 225 carbon stars and 171 oxygen-rich evolved stars for which
spectra from the Infrared Spectrograph on Spitzer are available. The spectra
are complemented with available optical and infrared photometry to construct
spectral energy distributions. A minimization procedure was used to determine
luminosity and mass-loss rate (MLR). Pulsation periods were derived for a large
fraction of the sample based on a re-analysis of existing data. New deep K-band
photometry from the VMC survey and multi-epoch data from IRAC and
AllWISE/NEOWISE have allowed us to derive pulsation periods longer than 1000
days for some of the most heavily obscured and reddened objects. We derive
(dust) MLRs and luminosities for the entire sample. The estimated MLRs can
differ significantly from estimates for the same objects in the literature due
to differences in adopted optical constants (up to factors of several) and
details in the radiative transfer modelling. Updated parameters for the
super-AGB candidate MSX SMC 055 (IRAS 00483-7347) are presented. Its current
mass is estimated to be 8.5 +- 1.6 \msol, suggesting an initial mass well above
8~\msol. Using synthetic photometry, we present and discuss colour-colour and
colour-magnitude diagrams which can be expected from the James Webb Space
Telescope.Comment: A&A accepted. The full version (100 pages, 12 MB) with complete
tables and all figures of the appendices is available at
http://homepage.oma.be/marting/articlesgroen.htm
Productivity of Florida Springs: Second semi-annual report to the Biology Division, Office of Naval Research progress from February 1, 1953 to June 30, 1953
During this second six months emphasis has been laid on developing a complete understanding of the metabolism of the Silver Springs ecosystem as an example of a community apparently in a steady state. Variation in phosphates, uptake of nitrates, and importance of boron have been estimated. Fluctuation of some major elements has been estimated. Examination of stomach contents has permitted trophic classifications of dominant species and the standing crops have been estimated for these species by number and by dry weight. From these a pyramid of mass has been constructed. Special attention has been paid to bacteria using 3 methods for comparison of Silver Springs with lakes and estimation of the standing crop. The oxygen gradient method has been repeated at half hourly intervals. A carbon-dioxide gradient method has also been used to check the oxygen and to obtain a photosynthetic quotient. Black and light Bell jar experiments have been initiated to obtain checks on the other production measurement and to obtain a community respiration rate. An approximate balance has resulted from estimates of production , respiration , and downstream loss. A flow rate diagram has been constructed to clarify definitions of efficiency and their relationship to a steady state system. Mr. Sloan has statistically verified the increase of insect number and variety away from the boils and demonstrated the reliability of quantitative dipping for aquatic insects. Plans for the third half year include detained and comparative study of the dominant algae and further estimates of rates of growth of all community components. (29pp.
A keystone Methylobacterium strain in biofilm formation in drinking water
The structure of biofilms in drinking water systems is influenced by the interplay between
biological and physical processes. Bacterial aggregates in bulk fluid are important in seeding biofilm
formation on surfaces. In simple pure and co-cultures, certain bacteria, including Methylobacterium,
are implicated in the formation of aggregates. However, it is unclear whether they help to form
aggregates in complex mixed bacterial communities. Furthermore, different flow regimes could affect
the formation and destination of aggregates. In this study, real drinking water mixed microbial
communities were inoculated with the Methylobacterium strain DSM 18358. The propensity of
Methylobacterium to promote aggregation was monitored under both stagnant and flow conditions.
Under stagnant conditions, Methylobacterium enhanced bacterial aggregation even when it was
inoculated in drinking water at 1% relative abundance. Laminar and turbulent flows were developed
in a rotating annular reactor. Methylobacterium was found to promote a higher degree of aggregation
in turbulent than laminar flow. Finally, fluorescence in situ hybridisation images revealed that
Methylobacterium aggregates had distinct spatial structures under the different flow conditions.
Overall, Methylobacterium was found to be a key strain in the formation of aggregates in bulk water
and subsequently in the formation of biofilms on surfaces
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