Rod Shape Research Articles

Glutathione-sensitized SnS2 nanoflake/CdS nanorod heterojunction for enhancing cathodic protection of 304 stainless steel with remarkable photoelectric conversion performance

An effective way to enhance photochemical performance can be achieved by optimizing the microstructure of composite semiconductor materials. Here, a two-step hydrothermal method was used to synthesize SnS2/CdS composite photoanodes for photocathode protection applications, and glutathione was introduced as a structure-directing agent to enhance the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pair of SnS2/CdS. In the presence of glutathione, SnS2 became a smaller and thinner nanoflake and hexagonal CdS extended into a rod shape, the combination of them resulted in larger light collection area and higher charge transfer rate. The electrochemical test results demonstrated that the open circuit potential of 304 SS coupled with SnS2/CdS/GSH photoanode was negatively shifted to about −0.5 V under light, which not only far exceeded the self-corrosion potential of 304 SS (-0.18 V), but also improved from −0.42 V of SnS2/CdS. Further, the photogenerated current density of SnS2/CdS/GSH was nearly three times that of SnS2/CdS, EIS and polarization curve results also indicated that glutathione enhances the PEC performance of SnS2/CdS. Obviously, the type-II heterojunction formed by glutathione-sensitized SnS2/CdS provides more electrons for 304 SS, which is beneficial to achieve better photocathodic protection.

Methyl esters synthesis from Luffa cylindrica seeds oil using green copper oxide nanoparticle catalyst in membrane reactor

This study investigates the potential role of Juglans sp. root extract-mediated copper oxide nanoparticles of Luffa cylindrica seed oil (LCSO) into methyl esters. The synthesized green nanoparticle was characterized by Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) spectroscopies to find out the crystalline size (40 nm), surface morphology (rod shape), particle size (80–85 nm), and chemical composition (Cu = 80.25% & O = 19.75%), accordingly. The optimized protocol for the transesterification reaction was adjusted as oil to methanol molar ratio (1:7), copper oxide nano-catalyst concentration (0.2 wt %), and temperature (90 °C) corresponding to the maximum methyl esters yield of 95%. The synthesized methyl esters were characterized by GC-MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FT-IR studies to know and identify the chemical composition of newly synthesized Lufa biodiesel. The fuel properties of Luffa cylindrica seed oil biofuel were checked and compared with the American Biodiesel standards (ASTM) (D6751-10). Finally, it is commendable to use biodiesel made from wild, uncultivated, and non-edible Lufa cylindrica to promote and adopt a cleaner and sustainable energy method. The acceptance and implementation of the green energy method may result in favourable environmental effects, which in turn may lead to better societal and economic development.

New drug target identification in Vibrio vulnificus by subtractive genome analysis and their inhibitors through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations

Vibrio vulnificus is a rod shape, Gram-negative bacterium that causes sepsis (with a greater than 50% mortality rate), necrotizing fasciitis, gastroenteritis, skin, and soft tissue infection, wound infection, peritonitis, meningitis, pneumonia, keratitis, and arthritis. Based on pathogenicity V. vulnificus is categorized into three biotypes. Type 1 and type 3 cause diseases in humans while biotype 2 causes diseases in eel and fish. Due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics V. vulnificus has developed resistance to many antibiotics so curing is dramatically a challenge. V. vulnificus is resistant to cefazolin, streptomycin, tetracycline, aztreonam, tobramycin, cefepime, and gentamycin. Subtractive genome analysis is the most effective method for drug target identification. The method is based on the subtraction of homologous proteins from both pathogen and host. By this process set of proteins present only in the pathogen and perform essential functions in the pathogen can be identified. The entire proteome of Vibrio vulnificus strain ATCC 27562 was reduced step by step to a single protein predicted as the drug target. AlphaFold2 is one of the applications of deep learning algorithms in biomedicine and is correctly considered the game changer in the field of structural biology. Accuracy and speed are the major strength of AlphaFold2. In the PDB database, the crystal structure of the predicted drug target was not present, therefore the Colab notebook was used to predict the 3D structure by the AlphaFold2, and subsequently, the predicted model was validated. Potent inhibitors against the new target were predicted by virtual screening and molecular docking study. The most stable compound ZINC01318774 tightly attaches to the binding pocket of bisphosphoglycerate-independent phosphoglycerate mutase. The time-dependent molecular dynamics simulation revealed compound ZINC01318774 was superior as compared to the standard drug tetracycline in terms of stability. The availability of V. vulnificus strain ATCC 27562 has allowed in silico identification of drug target which will provide a base for the discovery of specific therapeutic targets against Vibrio vulnificus.

Unravelling microstructure of novel as-cast in-situ α Ti and β Ti-Nb alloy matrix composites with NbC addition

The NbC powder was added to commercially pure Ti and β Ti-40Nb alloy and prepared by an arc-melting process, and its effect on the as-cast samples was microstructurally investigated with electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The results showed that two in-situ Ti-based matrix composites (TMCs) were produced due to chemical reactions during melting. In summary, each TMC presented only two phases: α Ti matrix reinforced with TiC phase (in the case of Ti + 5 %NbC), and β Ti-Nb matrix reinforced with TiC (in the case of Ti-40Nb + 5 %NbC). Furthermore, the results showed that the composite composition affects the TiC morphology, such as a short rod shape was obtained with richer Ti content in the Ti:C fraction (Ti + 5 %NbC), whereas lowering the Ti proportion (Ti-40Nb + 5 %NbC) resulted in equiaxed granular TiC. Thus, this study provides additional microstructural information about promisors wear-resistant TMCs.

Promising electrochemical performance of pristine SnO2 anodes for lithium and sodium-ion batteries

Sustainable materials with nanostructured architecture have made great strides in today’s energy storage technology. In this context, sustainable, environment-friendly SnO2 are synthesised by hydrothermal method and its electrochemical performance as anode material for lithium and sodium-ion batteries are investigated. Structural analysis such as X-ray diffraction and Raman measurement validates the formation of the tetragonal rutile structure of pristine SnO2. Scanning electron microscope image shows mixed, hollow spherical and rod- shape morphology. The Li+ and Na+ ion diffusion kinetics are conferred using cyclic voltammetry. The rate capability of pristine SnO2 anodes are tested using charge–discharge measurements. SnO2/Li half-cell shows the initial discharge capacity of 982 mAh/g at 0.1C rate and delivers the specific capacity of 219 mAh/g and 72 mAh/g at 10C and 20C rates. The SnO2/Na half-cell delivers the initial discharge capacity of 600 mAh/g and maintains the specific capacity of 110 mAh/g (1C-rate) after 500 charge–discharge cycles. The mixed spherical and rod shape morphology increases the surface area and facilitates the Li+ and Na+-ion diffusion and minimizes pulverization. Post-mortem microstructural studies are performed after 500 cycles, confirming the formation of inert oxide phases and degradation of electrolyte by-products in both LIB and SIB.

Efficient immobilization and detoxification of gaseous elemental mercury by nanoflower/rod WSe2/halloysite composite: Performance and mechanisms

Gaseous mercury pollution control technologies with low stability and high releasing risks always face with great challenges. Herein, we developed one halloysite nanotubes (HNTs)-supported tungsten diselenide (WSe2) composite (WSe2/HNTs) by one-pot solvothermal approach, curing Hg0 from complicated flue gas (CFG) and reducing second environment risks. WSe2 as a monolayer with nano-flower structure and HNTs with rod shapes in the as-prepared sorbent exhibited outstanding synergy efficiency, resulting in exceptional performance for Hg0 removal with high capture capacity of 30.6 mg·g−1 and rate of 9.09 μg·g−1·min−1, which benefited from the high affinity of selenium and mercury (1 ×1045) and the adequate exposure of Se-terminated. The adsorbent showed beneficial tolerance to high amount of NOx and SOx. An online lab-built thermal decomposition system (TPD-AFS) was employed to explore Hg species on the used-sorbent, finding that the adsorbed-mercury species were principally mercury selenide (HgSe). Density functional theory calculations indicated that the hollow-sites were the major adsorption sites and exhibited excellent selectivity for Hg0, as well as HgSe generation needed to overcome the 0.32 eV energy barrier. The adsorbed mercury displayed high environmental stability after the leaching toxicity test, which significantly decreased its secondary environmental risks. With these advantages, WSe2/HNTs possess enormous potential to achieve the effective and permanent immobilization of gaseous mercury from CFG in the future.

Ultrasonic synthesis of controllable thin sheet-like BiPO4 assisted by ionic liquid and Bi-MOF with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

Raw materials and synthesis strategies have great influence on the morphologies and optical properties of materials. In this study, ultrasonic synthesis of controllable thin sheet-like BiPO4 with an excessive visible-light response was synthesized, using Bi-based metal-organic frameworks (CAU-17) and ionic liquid [Omim]H2PO4 as raw materials. Compared with BiPO4-H (hydrothermal, solid rod shape) synthesized using inorganic salt, BiPO4-A (agitation, thin rod-like) and BiPO4-U (ultrasonic, thin sheet-like) have better visible-light absorption capacity and narrower band gap. Under visible-light, they could degrade 27.7 % (BiPO4-H), 73.0 % (BiPO4-A), and 76.3 % (BiPO4-U) tetracycline hydrochloride at 30 min, respectively. The speedy charge transfer at the photogenerated carrier interface, large specific surface areas, and improved light adsorption greatly enhance the photocatalytic performance. Cyclic experiments exhibit that the material has good photostability and repeatability. Finally, the feasible degradation mechanism of the material was proposed via a capture experiment. This paper provides a new technique for synthesizing BiPO4 or other photocatalysts, which can be used for high-efficiency wastewater purification under visible-light.

Amperometry sensor for real time detection of hydrogen peroxide adulteration in food samples

Porous and defective nanomaterials lead to higher adsorption and are widely used in electrochemical sensor applications. The rGO-MoS2 tailored defect rod shapes provide rapid electron conduction thanks to redox reactions in the sensing medium. Modified polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flexible carbon screen-printed electrode (SPE) shows H2O2 sensing in food samples. We measured linear current amperometry signals in various sensing mediums of 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS), raw apple juice, and raw milk in the 1 to 50 μM range. Synergistic effects improved the sensing performance by sensitivity (S) of ∼ 773.33 μA/cm2 μM and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.017 μM (S/N, 3:1) in 0.1 M PBS. The observed LODs in the juice and milk samples are 0.025 μM (S = 324.33 μA/cm2 μM) and 0.046 μM (S = 138 μA/cm2 μM), respectively. This non-enzymatic research is fit to employ H2O2 sensing, implementing handheld, real-time controlled units in liquid food samples.

Rod angulation does not reflect sagittal curvature in adult spinal deformity surgery: comparison of lumbar lordosis and rod contouring.

A retrospective study. Relationship between rod and spinal shape in the sagittal plane in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. Corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) involves the use of contoured rods to correct and modify the spinal curvatures. Adequate rod bending is crucial for achieving optimal correction. The correlation between rods and spinal shape in long constructs has not been reported previously. We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective, multicenter database of patients who underwent surgery for ASD. The inclusion criteria were patients who underwent pelvic fixation and had an upper instrumented vertebra at or above T12. Pre- and post-operative standing radiographs were used to assess lumbar lordosis at the L4S1 and L1S1 levels. The angle between the tangents to the rod at the L1, L4, and S1 pedicles was calculated to determine the L4S1 and L1S1 rod lordosis. The difference between the lumbar lordosis (LL) and the rod lordosis (RL) was calculated as ΔL = LL-RL. The correlation between this difference (ΔL) and various characteristics was analyzed using descriptive and statistical methods. Eighty-three patients were included in the study, resulting in 166 analyzed differences (ΔL) between the rod and spinal lordosis. The values for rod lordosis were found to be both greater and lesser than those of the spine but were mostly lower. The range for total ΔL was -24°-30.9°, with a mean absolute ΔL of 7.8° for L1S1 (standard deviation (SD) = 6.0) and 9.1° for L4S1 (SD = 6.8). In 46% of patients, both rods had a ΔL of over 5°, and over 60% had at least one rod with a ΔL difference of over 5°. Factors found to be related to a higher ΔL included postoperative higher lumbar lordosis, presence of osteotomies, higher corrected degrees, older age, and thinner rods. Multivariate analysis correlated only higher postoperative L1S1 lordosis with higher ΔL. No correlation was found between a higher ΔL and sagittal imbalance. Variations between spinal and rod curvatures were observed despite the linear regression correlation. The shape of the rod does not seem to be predictive of the shape of the spine in the sagittal plane in ASD long-construct surgeries. Several factors, other than rod contouring, are involved in explaining the postoperative shape of the spine. The observed variation calls into question the fundamentals of the ideal rod concept.

Self‐Synthesized POM‐Chitosan Material with Enzyme Mimetic Activities for Antioxidant Applications

AbstractAn organic‐POMs nanoparticle of PMo9V3/CS was successfully synthesized from chitosan (CS) and H6PMo9V3O40 (PMo9V3) by immobilized method. After characterization, PMo9V3/CS hybrids were determined to possess dual enzyme properties similar to peroxidase and oxidase (KO3). PMo9V3/CS exhibited good kinetic activity towards H2O2 and could catalyze the decomposition of H2O2 to generate ⋅OH and reactive oxygen species respectively. It also showed stability in wide pH range between 3 to 8. Based on the high peroxidase‐mimetic and ROS activities, PMo9V3/CS for the first time was used as a nanomaterial to exhibit antibacterial properties against E. coli (gram negative bacterium). PMo9V3/CS‐based antibacterial showed high proficiency in damaging the existing biofilm and preventing formation of new biofilm than H2O2. This performance was a contribution of the CS‐mediated membrane destabilization and POM‐mediated oxidation of bacteria in the electron transport chain, causing the deformation of rod shape morphology and the decrease of density count of the bacteria. Therefore, PMo9V3/CS shows excellent antioxidant activity and enzymatic‐stability for clinic application.

Interacting bactofilins impact cell shape of the MreB-less multicellular Rhodomicrobium vannielii.

Most non-spherical bacteria rely on the actin-like MreB cytoskeleton to control synthesis of a cell-shaping and primarily rod-like cell wall. Diverging from simple rod shape generally requires accessory cytoskeletal elements, which locally interfere with the MreB-guided cell wall synthesis. Conserved and widespread representatives of this accessory cytoskeleton are bactofilins that polymerize into static, non-polar bundles of filaments. Intriguingly, many species of the Actinobacteria and Rhizobiales manage to grow rod-like without MreB by tip extension, yet some of them still possess bactofilin genes, whose function in cell morphogenesis is unknown. An intricate representative of these tip-growing bacteria is Rhodomicrobium vannielii; a member of the hitherto genetically not tractable and poorly studied Hyphomicrobiaceae within the MreB-less Rhizobiales order. R. vannielii displays complex asymmetric cell shapes and differentiation patterns including filamentous hyphae to produce offspring and to build dendritic multicellular arrays. Here, we introduce techniques to genetically access R. vannielii, and we elucidate the role of bactofilins in its sophisticated morphogenesis. By targeted mutagenesis and fluorescence microscopy, protein interaction studies and peptidoglycan incorporation analysis we show that the R. vannielii bactofilins are associated with the hyphal growth zones and that one of them is essential to form proper hyphae. Another paralog is suggested to represent a novel hybrid and co-polymerizing bactofilin. Notably, we present R. vannielii as a powerful new model to understand prokaryotic cell development and control of multipolar cell growth in the absence of the conserved cytoskeletal element, MreB.

The Antibacterial Activities and Characterizations of Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles, and Their Coated with Alginate Derived from Fucus vesiculosus.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have many advantages for nano-biotechnologists due to their intense biomedical applications. ZnO-NPs are used as antibacterial agents, which influence bacterial cells through the rupture of the cell membrane and the generation of reactive free radicals. Alginate is a polysaccharide of natural origin due to its excellent properties that are used in various biomedical applications. Brown algae are good sources of alginate and are used as a reducing agent in the synthesis of nanoparticles. This study aims to synthesize ZnO-NPs by using brown alga Fucus vesiculosus (Fu/ZnO-NPs) and also to extract alginate from the same alga, which is used in coating the ZnO-NPs (Fu/ZnO-Alg-NCMs). The characterizations of Fu/ZnO-NPs and Fu/ZnO-Alg-NCMs were determined by FTIR, TEM, XRD, and zeta potential. The antibacterial activities were applied against multidrug resistance bacteria of both gram-positive and negative. The results obtained in FT-TR showed there are some shifts in the peak positions of Fu/ZnO-NPs and Fu/ZnO-Alg-NCMs. The peak at 1655 cm-1, which assigned amide I-III, is present in both Fu/ZnO-NPs and Fu-Alg-ZnO-NCMs; this band is responsible for bio-reductions and stabilization of both nanoparticles. The TEM images proved the Fu/ZnO-NPs have rod shapes with sizes ranging from 12.68 to 17.66 and are aggregated, but Fu/ZnO/Alg-NCMs are spherical in shape with sizes ranging from 12.13 to 19.77. XRD-cleared Fu/ZnO-NPs have nine sharp peaks that are considered good crystalline, but Fu/ZnO-Alg-NCMs have four broad and sharp peaks that are considered semi-crystalline. Both Fu/ZnO-NPs and Fu/ZnO-Alg-NCMs have negative charges (-1.74 and -3.56, respectively). Fu/ZnO-NPs have more antibacterial activities than Fu/ZnO/Alg-NCMs in all tested multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. Fu/ZnO/Alg-NCMs had no effect on Acinetobacter KY856930, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Enterobacter aerogenes, whereas there was an apparent effect of ZnO-NPs against the same strains.

Green synthesis of SnO2 nanorods and Mo– SnO2 nanocomposite for efficient sunlight driven organic dye photodegradation in aqueous solution

Green synthesis methodology was employed for the synthesis of SnO2 and SnO2/MoO3 composite. The leaf extract of Magnifera indica which is rich in polyphenols was used for reducing the precursor metal salt into the corresponding oxides as nanomaterial. The optimum yield of nanomaterials was obtained in 120 min at 70 °C using leaf extract of the Magnifera indica. The structure, morphology, and composition, of the synthesized nanomaterials was studied by FTIR, XRD, and SEM. It was found that the materials were successfully synthesized with rod shape morphology. The catalytic ability of these synthesized materials was evaluated by degradation of Methylene blue in aqueous solution. The crystallite size, bandgap and nanostructure growth with specific shape contributed towards the enhanced photodegradation performance of SnO2/MoO3. There appears a change in bandgap energy from 3.60 eV of SnO2 to 3.36 eV of SnO2/MoO3. The photocatalytic efficiency of nanocomposite SnO2/MoO3 is enhanced to (73.0%) as compared to that of the pure SnO2 (69.0%). The most important being that minimum amount (1 mg) of the nanocomposite has been utilized during these photocatalytic experiments.

Morphometric analysis of pebbles in verification of transport processes and interpretation of palaeoenvironment: A case study from the Ogwashi Formation (Oligocene), Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria

The present paper discusses a palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the Oligocene Ogwashi Formation (Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria) through morphometric analysis of pebbles, a research method essentially depending on the quantitative evaluation of pebble size and shape which change during transport processes in a range of depositional environments. The relationship of bivariate and ternary-diagram plots of independent functions was determined from freshly exposed sandstone sections in quarries at Ibusa, near Asaba, Nigeria. The grain size of pebbles ranges from fine (11.00 mm) to very coarse (41.33 mm), with a mean size of 21.05 mm (coarse pebbles). A bivariate plot of the flatness index vs maximum projection sphericity index shows 37% of the pebbles to fall within a beach (marine) environment, and 33% within a fluvial environment; the remaining 30% are uncertain. The maximum projection sphericity index vs oblate-prolate index bivariate plot indicates that 47% of pebbles fall within a marine environment and 22% within a fluvial environment, while the remaining 31% are uncertain. The sphericity-form ternary diagram plot shows that the pebbles primarily comprise bladed, platy, very bladed and very platy of near-equal proportions with minor elongate and very elongate stones, which suggests that the pebbles are diverse in origin. The sphericity-form bivariate plot indicates that the pebbles are largely of disc and blade shapes with a minor number of spherical and rod shapes. The near-equal proportion of pebbles in different segments of the bivariate and ternary diagram plots, and the wide distribution of the pebble grain sizes and shapes suggest the Ogwashi Formation is composed of redeposited sediments that likely were transported and deposited in a mix of marine and fluvial settings with possible transitional environments. In other words, the pebbles can be interpreted as marine-influenced fluvial sediments in marginal-marine settings.

Effect of solution cooling rates on microstructure and mechanical properties of K648 high chromium superalloy additive-manufactured by the extreme high-speed laser metal deposition

High chromium superalloy K648, additive-manufactured by extreme high-speed laser metal deposition (EHLMD) process, was heat treated by solution and then cooled at different cooling rates achieved by different conditions in this study. The investigation focused on the impact of solution cooling rates (water-cooling (WC), air-cooling (AC) and furnace-cooling (FC)) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of EHLMD K648 superalloy. As the solution cooling rates decrease, it was observed that grain sizes, carbide, and α-Cr grew larger. Simultaneously, the carbides at the grain boundary evolved from a discontinuous granular shape to a chain-like shape, while α-Cr transformed from short needle to a short rod shape. Concurrently, the quantities of secondary γʹ phase diminished, but the size of secondary γʹ phases enlarged as the cooling rate decreased. Additionally, a significant amount of small granular tertiary γʹ phase emerged in the FC superalloy. The microhardness of the EHLMD superalloy exhibited a substantial increase with the decrease of the solution cooling rate, to the point that the microhardness of FC superalloy reached 429 HV. The ultimate tensile strength and yield strength increase, but the elongation decreases significantly, with the ultimate tensile strength of FC superalloy reaching 1058.3 MPa. The fracture of EHLMD K648 superalloy gradually transformed into ductile fracture to ductile and brittle mixed fracture as solution cooling rates decreased.

A STUDY ONANTI-MICROBIAL RESISTANTENVIRONMENTAL BACTERIA FROM AURANGABAD CITY MUNICIPAL AREA MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

With rapid industrial development and progress of civilization, the problem of increase in waste generation becomes more complex in urban areas like Aurangabad fastest growing city in Asia in Marathwada, Maharashtra in India. In this study,we explorethe diversityofbacteriainsewagewastewater withthe assessment oftheantibiotic resistance of the isolated bacteria. The water samples: sewage wastewater was collectedfrominaround the Aurangabad City of Maharashtra, India, and was processed for isolation, which was characterized for identificationfollowingphenotypictechniques.A total of 09 bacteria were isolated from the sewage samples studied, among which 3 were gram-negative and 06 were gram-positive. Our present study evidently revealed that thesewageasconfirmedinthecurrentstudy,the growth ofgram-positive rods shape cocci, and evengram-negative rods too in which the diversity of gram-positivebacteria was found greater, as we compared to the gram-negative bacteria.Thesebacteria isolateshave the potential to cause infections andpossess varied antibiotic resistance. Thus,thisisimperativefortheregularvigilanceofsuchwastewaterbacteriatocombatbacterialmultipleantibioticresistance. We can conclude that the useful bacteria might be isolated from the Aurangabad city area which will be helpful for bioconversion of sewage/solid waste management.

Pseudodesulfovibrio nedwellii sp. nov., a mesophilic sulphate-reducing bacterium isolated from a xenic culture of an anaerobic heterolobosean protist.

A novel sulphate-reducing bacterium, strain SYKT, was isolated from a xenic culture of an anaerobic protist obtained from a sulphidogenic sediment of the saline Lake Hiruga in Fukui, Japan. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that SYKT clustered with the members of the genus Pseudodesulfovibrio. The closest relative of strain SYKT was Pseudodesulfovibrio sediminis SF6T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence identity of 97.43 %. Digital DNA-DNA hybridisation and average nucleotide identity values between SYKT and species of the genus Pseudodesulfovibrio fell below the respective thresholds for species delineation, indicating that SYKT represents a novel species of the genus Pseudodesulfovibrio. Cells measured 1.7-3.7×0.2-0.5 µm in size and were Gram-stain-negative, obligately anaerobic, motile by means of a single polar flagellum and had a curved rod or sigmoid shape. Cell growth was observed under saline conditions from pH 6.0 to 9.5 (optimum pH 8.0-9.0) and at a temperature of 10-30 °C (optimum 25 °C). SYKT used lactate, pyruvate, fumarate, formate and H2 as electron donors. It used sulphate, sulphite, thiosulphate and sulphur as terminal electron acceptors. Pyruvate and fumarate were fermented. Major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 1ω9c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The DNA G+C content of SYKT was 49.4 mol%. On the basis of the the genetic and phenotypic features, SYKT was determined to represent a novel species of the genus Pseudodesulfovibrio for which the name Pseudodesulfovibrio nedwellii sp. nov. is proposed with type strain SYKT (=DSM 114958T=JCM 35746T).

Bacillus cabrialesii subsp. cabrialesii subsp. nov. and Bacillus cabrialesii subsp. tritici subsp. nov., plant growth-promoting bacteria and biological control agents isolated from wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum) in the Yaqui Valley, Mexico.

Strain TSO2T, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and biological control agent, was isolated from wheat rhizosphere sampled from the Yaqui Valley in Mexico. The strain was identified using a polyphasic approach. Based on its analysis of the full-length 16S rRNA gene, strain TSO2T was assigned to the genus Bacillus , which was supported by morphological and metabolic traits, such as Gram-positive staining, rod shape, spore formation, strictly aerobic metabolism, catalase-positive activity, starch, and casein hydrolysis, reduction of nitrate to nitrite, growth in presence of lysozyme and 2 % NaCl, citrate utilization, growth at pH 6.0, acid production from glucose and indole production from tryptophan. Additionally, strain TSO2T possesses swarming motility, presenting a featureless mat pattern that can cover the whole petri dish. The whole-genome phylogenetic relationship analysis elucidated that strain TSO2T is closely related to Bacillus cabrialesii TE3T. The maximum values for average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization from the genome-to-genome distance calculator (GGDC) were 97 and 73.4 %, respectively, related to Bacillus cabrialesii TE3T, where both ANI and GGDC values were barely above the species delimitation threshold, but below the subspecies limit. Also, strain TSO2T showed the ability to produce a fatty acid (C18 : 0) that is not present in closely related Bacillus species. These results provide evidence that strain TSO2T is a novel subspecies of the species Bacillus cabrialesii , for which the name Bacillus cabrialesii subsp. tritici subsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Bacillus cabrialesii subsp. tritici subsp. nov. is TSO2T (CM-CNRG TB52T=LBPCV TSO2T). The description of this novel subspecies automatically creates the subspecies Bacillus cabrialesii subsp. cabrialesii subsp. nov. for which the type strain is TE3T (CM-CNRG TB54T=CCStamb A1T).

Titanium dioxide nanostructures doped with nickel and its performance in photocatalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol

AbstractBackgroundIn this work, we investigated the effect of nickel on the photocatalytic properties of TiO2 nanostructures. The photocatalysts were obtained in a two‐stage procedure. First, the sol–gel method was used for obtaining TiO2 and Ni‐TiO2 at 1.0 wt% of Ni, which was then followed by hydrothermal treatment under highly alkaline conditions with NaOH at 110°C.ResultsThe obtained powders were thermally treated at 400°C. The main crystalline phase was anatase for all the samples, and a lower Eg value was estimated for the Ni/TiO2 sample (3.13 eV). The specific BET areas were obtained from N2 isotherms at 77 K, being 141 and 153 m2/g for pure TiO2 and 1.0% Ni‐TiO2 samples, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the rod shape of the particles with diameters between 10 and 20 nm and length between 100 and 400 nm. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed the presence of oxygen vacancies and surface hydroxyl oxygen species in all samples, but in a higher ratio for the Ni/TiO2‐HT‐400 sample. The photocatalytic test was performed using two different radiation sources: 254 nm and a simulated solar lamp (300 W), for the photoreduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol, which was followed by UV–vis spectroscopy.ConclusionsThe Ni/TiO2‐HT‐400 sample showed a high efficiency, reaching 100% reduction after 15 min (simulated solar radiation) and 40 min (λ = 254 nm) after the first cycle, while for the second cycle these values decreased to 63% and 78%, respectively. The increase in the photocatalytic reduction of TiO2 nanostructures was achieved mainly through the presence of oxygen vacancies along with the decrease in electron–hole recombination. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Quantitative analysis of morphogenesis and growth dynamics in an obligate intracellular bacterium.

Obligate intracellular bacteria of the order Rickettsiales include important human pathogens. However, our understanding of the biology of Rickettsia species is limited by challenges imposed by their obligate intracellular lifestyle. To overcome this roadblock, we developed methods to assess cell wall composition, growth, and morphology of Rickettsia parkeri, a human pathogen in the spotted fever group of the Rickettsia genus. Analysis of the cell wall of R. parkeri revealed unique features that distinguish it from free-living alphaproteobacteria. Using a novel fluorescence microscopy approach, we quantified R. parkeri morphology in live host cells and found that the fraction of the population undergoing cell division decreased over the course of infection. We further demonstrated the feasibility of localizing fluorescence fusions, for example, to the cell division protein ZapA, in live R. parkeri for the first time. To evaluate population growth kinetics, we developed an imaging-based assay that improves on the throughput and resolution of other methods. Finally, we applied these tools to quantitatively demonstrate that the actin homologue MreB is required for R. parkeri growth and rod shape. Collectively, a toolkit was developed of high-throughput, quantitative tools to understand growth and morphogenesis of R. parkeri that is translatable to other obligate intracellular bacteria.