Metabolism of novel potential syntrophic acetate-oxidizing bacteria in thermophilic methanogenic chemostats.

Acetate is a major intermediate in the anaerobic digestion of organic waste to produce CH. In methanogenic systems, acetate degradation is carried out by either acetoclastic methanogenesis or syntrophic degradation by acetate oxidizers and hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Due to challenges in the isolation of syntrophic acetate-oxidizing bacteria (SAOB), the diversity and metabolism of SAOB and the mechanisms of their interactions with methanogenic partners are not fully characterized.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy in the evaluation of urban rail transit drivers' mental workload under simulated driving conditions.

The objective of this study is to investigate the potential of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) combined with heart rate variability indices, for the evaluation of the mental workload of urban rail transit drivers under simulated driving conditions, particularly during task engagement and disengagement. Experienced metro drivers wearing fNIRS monitoring systems were asked to drive for 90 min in a professional metro driving simulator. Workload stimulus tasks were added and an n-back task (n = 3) was implemented to induce workload in the simulated driving experiment.