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Microbial conversion to generate value-added chemicals from diverse biomass is one of the keystones of energy biotechnology. Programmable synthetic biology tools offer versatile, standardized options for developing microbial cell factories. These tools thus can be reprogrammed in a user-defined manner for flexible wiring of stimuli and response, highly efficient genome engineering, and extensive perturbation of metabolic flux and genetic circuits. They also can be modularly assembled to construct elaborate and unprecedented biological systems with unique features. This review highlights recent advances in programmable synthetic biology tools based on biosensors, CRISPR-Cas, and RNA devices for developing microbial cell factories that have the potential to be utilized for energy biotechnology.

Background The Delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was the predominant variant worldwide at the time of this study. However, its transmission dynamics were unclear. Methods We analyzed 405 local cases infected with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 and temporal patterns of viral shedding identified between 22 June and 31 July 2021 in Daejeon, South Korea. Results Overall, 20% were presymptomatic at the time of epidemiological investigation. We identified 6 clustered outbreaks, and all were associated with indoor facilities. In 23 household contacts, the secondary attack rate was 63%. We estimated the mean serial interval as 3.26 days (95% credible interval, 2.92–3.60), and 15% (95% confidence interval, 13%–18%) of cases seeded 80% of all local transmission. Analysis of the nasopharyngeal swab samples identified virus shedding from the presymptomatic cases and the highest viral load was observed 2 days after symptom onset. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the Delta variant is highly transmissible in indoor settings and households. Rapid contact tracing, isolation of the asymptomatic contacts, strict adherence to public health measures, and increased uptake of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, including booster doses, are needed to reduce community transmission of the Delta variant.

Background The delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 is now the predominant variant worldwide. However, its transmission dynamics remain unclear. Methods We analyzed all case patients in local clusters and temporal patterns of viral shedding using contact tracing data from 405 cases associated with the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 between 22 June and 31 July 2021 in Daejeon, South Korea. Results Overall, half of the cases were aged under 19 years, and 20% were asymptomatic at the time of epidemiological investigation. We estimated the mean serial interval as 3.26 days (95% credible interval 2.92, 3.60), and 12% of the transmission occurred before symptom onset of the infector. We identified six clustered outbreaks, and all were associated with indoor facilities. In 23 household contacts, the secondary attack rate was 63% (52/82). We estimated that 15% (95% confidence interval, 13–18%) of cases seeded 80% of all local transmission. Analysis of the nasopharyngeal swab samples identified virus shedding from asymptomatic patients, and the highest viral load was observed two days after symptom onset. The temporal pattern of viral shedding did not differ between children and adults (P = 0.48). Conclusions Our findings suggest that the delta variant is highly transmissible in indoor settings and households. Rapid contact tracing, isolation of the asymptomatic contacts, and strict adherence to public health measures are needed to mitigate the community transmission of the delta variant.

Engine oil is an oil used for lubrication of various internal combustion engines. The main function is to reduce wear on moving parts; it also cleans, inhibits corrosion, improves sealing, and cools the engine by carrying heat away from moving parts. In engines, there are parts which move against each other. Otherwise, the friction wastes the useful power by converting the kinetic energy to heat. Those parts were worn away, which could lead to lower efficiency and degradation of the engine. It increases fuel consumption, decreases power output, and can induce the engine failure. This study was conducted to evaluate the relation between engine oil property changes and engine performance for the diesel engine. This test was performed by using 12L, 6 cylinder, heavy duty engines. Low SAPS 10W30 engine oil (two type engine oils) was used. Test procedure and method was in accordance with the modified CEC L-57-T97 (OM441LA) method. In this study, TAN, TBN, KV and metal components, engine power, blowby gas, A_F were presented to evaluate the relation with engine oil property changes and engine performance. TAN, TBN, KV and metal We found that the components were generally increased but engine performance did not change. This results mean that property changes did not affect on engine performance because those were not enough to affect engine performance.

A potent enzymatic inducer, 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, stimulates iron transport in the intestine of the rat. The stimulatory site in the intestine is more available to the inducer given orally than parenterally. Effects on intestinal absorptive mechanisms may be additional public health hazards of enzyme inducers such as 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) has been measured as benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase in the intestine and liver of rats and mice treated with a single dose of different polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons. Maximal stimulation of liver AHH activity is reached with a dose of 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) half as great as that necessary for maximal stimulation of the intestine. The duration of the effect of TCDD on intestinal AHH differs from the constant increase that occurs in the liver. Although the magnitude of the stimulation by 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) is less than that of TCDD, the qualitative changes in intestinal and liver AHH are similar. The changes in activity of intestinal and hepatic AHH were not directly correlated in the tissues of rats treated with several other polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons. Liver and intestinal AHH activity were affected differently by fasting. These results suggest that AHH activity in the intestine and liver has different control mechanisms.

A single oral dose of 200 mg/kg polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) maximally increased the serosal transfer of iron about 50% in duodenal gut sacs prepared from treated rats. Smaller doses caused inconstant changes in iron transport. The effect, which was maximal at 2 days after treatment, returned to normal at 4 days, and then was increased 16 and 24% at 7 and 18 days, respectively. Iron absorption in vivo increased 29% in rats given 0.1 mg orally five times weekly for 5 weeks. The stimulation of iron absorption was accompanied by an 18% increase in serum iron. The activities of the intestinal and hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase was increased in a manner that did not directly correlate with the effects on iron transport, suggesting that the control mechanism for the different biochemical effects are not directly related.