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Precipitation changes among years and locations along gradients of mean annual precipitation (MAP). The way those changes interact and affect populations of soil organisms from arid to moist environments remains unknown. Temporal and spatial changes in precipitation could lead to shifts in functional composition of soil communities that are involved in key aspects of ecosystem functioning such as ecosystem primary production and carbon cycling. We experimentally reduced and increased growing-season precipitation for 2 y in field plots at arid, semiarid, and mesic grasslands to investigate temporal and spatial precipitation controls on the abundance and community functional composition of soil nematodes, a hyper-abundant and functionally diverse metazoan in terrestrial ecosystems. We found that total nematode abundance decreased with greater growing-season precipitation following increases in the abundance of predaceous nematodes that consumed and limited the abundance of nematodes lower in the trophic structure, including root feeders. The magnitude of these nematode responses to temporal changes in precipitation increased along the spatial gradient of long-term MAP, and significant effects only occurred at the mesic site. Contrary to the temporal pattern, nematode abundance increased with greater long-term MAP along the spatial gradient from arid to mesic grasslands. The projected increase in the frequency of extreme dry years in mesic grasslands will therefore weaken predation pressure belowground and increase populations of root-feeding nematodes, potentially leading to higher levels of plant infestation and plant damage that would exacerbate the negative effect of drought on ecosystem primary production and C cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For employers and employer associations, 2018 was in part a year of submissions to government inquiries, the 4-yearly modern wage review and the minimum wage review. Issues of numerical flexibility, including casual work, the gig economy and labour hire, also consumed much attention. It was also a year in which public discontent with the business world, particularly with big business, in relation to industrial relations and broader socio-political issues, and the questioning of its social licence to operate have escalated. In examining the major issues that concerned employers and their associations during the year, this article also discusses the pressures building for them in expressing and promoting their industrial relations agendas in response to a looming federal election, dynamic trade union campaigning and growing public discontent with the industrial relations system in its current form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A convenient, regioselective, novel, and elegant one-pot, four-component reaction was designed for synthesis of a series of new of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines using aryl glyoxal monohydrates, ethyl acetoacetate, hydrazine hydrate, and 2-aminopyridine in presence of tetrapropylammonium bromide under reflux in EtOH as solvent. The main advantages of this protocol include the availability and low cost of the starting materials, short reaction time, convenient operation, easy workup process, highly facile operation, nonhazardous byproducts, and high yield (82–94%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the Willmore functional on graphs, with an additional penalization of the area where the curvature is nonzero. Interpreting the penalization parameter as a Lagrange multiplier, this corresponds to the Willmore functional with a constraint on the area where the graph is flat. Sending the penalization parameter to ∞ and rescaling suitably, we derive the limit functional in the sense of Γ-convergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms as essential components of soils have important roles in biochemical cycles of organic matter conversion into nutrients available for an uptake by plants. Soil salinity is an important factor that affects microbial diversity and activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soil salinity on microbial biomass, nitrification rate and urease activity within the rhizosphere of sugarcane. Microbial activity, i.e., urease activity and nitrification rates in saline soil were lower than those in non-saline soil under sugarcane cultivation. Microbial diversity was assessed using different techniques for DNA extraction from the studied soils and the single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of DNA extracts. It was found that saline soil had lower microbial biomass and respiration rate, but higher diversity of soil bacteria as compared to those within non-saline soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The one‐pot, three‐component, synthesis of a new series of 4‐hydroxy‐3‐(2‐arylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridin‐3‐yl)quinolin‐2(1H)‐ones in the presence of DABCO as a catalyst has been achieved using aryl glyoxal monohydrates, quinoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione, and 2‐aminopyridine in H2O/EtOH under reflux conditions. The cheapness of organocatalyst, simple workup, operational simplicity, regioselectivity, and high yields are some advantages of this protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic flux ropes (MFRs) with twisted magnetic field lines are common in the solar system, most of which can be caused by magnetic reconnection or velocity shear. However, these two mechanisms have difficulties in explaining the formation of MFRs observed in the planetary ionosphere. Here we find that a dynamo process can be caused by the differential compression at different parts of a flux tube when it is sinking into the partially ionized ionosphere, leading to an increase in the magnetic energy. The differential compression also produces an azimuthal component of ▽×E, which generates azimuthal magnetic fields with twisted magnetic field lines and gives rise to an ionospheric MFR. Key Points: The differential compression of flux tube at different altitudes provides a dynamo process to increase the tube magnetic energyAzimuthal magnetic fields can be generated by (▽×E)ϕ associated with the differential compressionThe flux tube is twisted in different directions with opposite helical pitch angles on the two sides of the flux tube [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Integrons are genetic elements that promote rapid adaptation in bacteria by capturing exogenous, mobile gene cassettes. Recently, a subset of gene cassettes has facilitated the global spread of antibiotic resistance. However, outside clinical settings, very little is known about their diversity and spatial ecology. To address this question, we sequenced integron gene cassettes from soils sampled across Australia and Antarctica. We recovered 44 970 open reading frames that encoded 27 215 unique proteins, representing an order of magnitude more cassettes than previous sequencing efforts. We found that cassettes have extremely high local richness, significantly greater than previously predicted, with estimates ranging from 4000 to 18 000 unique cassettes per 0.3 g of soil. We show that cassettes have a heterogeneous distribution across space, and that they exhibit rapid turnover with distance. Similarity between samples drops to between 0.1% and 10% at distances of as little as 100 m. Together, these data provide key insights into the ecology and size of the gene cassette metagenome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the loss of trust that occurs when individuals suffer from sudden and significant financial loss. We use a qualitative case study to show that individuals lose trust in a range of parties, including financial advisors, banks, credit providers, government and perhaps most damagingly of all, oneself. Such outcomes are concerning as all financial services are based on trust between various parties, and trust is important in making financial decisions. A lack of trust can lead to poorer individual and societal outcomes. It also suggests that trends to financial self‐sufficiency have risks, which impact well beyond monetary losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PAH ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases (PAH-RHDα) gene, a useful biomarker for PAH-degrading bacteria, has been widely used to examine PAH-degrading bacterial community in different contaminated sites. However, the distribution of PAH-RHDα genes in oilfield soils and mangrove sediments and their relationship with environmental factors still remain largely unclear. In this study, gene-targeted metagenomics was first used to investigate the diversity of PAH-degrading bacterial communities in oilfield soils and mangrove sediments. The results showed that higher diversity of PAH-degrading bacteria in the studied samples was revealed by gene-targeted metagenomics than traditional clone library analysis. Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, Ralstonia, Polymorphum gilvum, Mycobacterium, Sciscionella marina, Rhodococcus, and potential new degraders were prevailed in the oilfield area. For mangrove sediments, novel PAH degraders and Mycobacterium were predominated. The spatial distribution of PAH-RHDα gene was dependent on geographical location and regulated by local environmental variables. PAH content played a key role in shaping PAH-degrading bacterial communities in the studied samples, which would enrich PAH-degrading bacterial population and decrease PAH-degrading bacterial diversity. This work brings a more comprehensive and some new insights into the distribution and biodegradation potential of PAH-degrading bacteria in soil and sediments ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil properties and agricultural practices take a joint effect on the communities of soil bacteria. The aim of the present study was to survey Alphaproteobacterial communities as possible indicators of soil quality considering clay, loamy and sandy soils under conventional and organic farming. Alphaproteobacteria community composition were analysed by 16S rRNA gene with nested-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and denaturing gradient gelelectrophoresis (DGGE). Sequencing of partial 16S rRNA gene from the DGGE bands were performed. Conventional and organic farming resulted in significant differences in chemical properties of soils. According to the results community fingerprints were separated into groups depending on soil types and farming systems. This separation can be attributed mostly to soil pH, AL-P2O5,-K2O. The analysed sequences were identified as soil bacteria which could play the main role in nitrogen fixing, mineralisation and denitrification. The highest diversity index was revealed from the organic farming at sandy texture site, where mainly Mesorhizobium sp. and Rhizobium sp. were detected. The soil type and actual crop could have a stronger impact on the soil bacterial composition than the management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) through non-invasive sampling continues to gain popularity in the surveillance of organisms. Methodological improvement to ensure maximum DNA recovery from the samples would benefit future studies. We investigated the effects of DNA extraction methods and filter preservation methods on eDNA yield by analyzing field-collected water samples for eDNA of the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis). We tested whether the use of bead beating during DNA extraction, which likely facilitates removal of cells trapped on filters, would increase eDNA yield. We also examined whether preservation of filters in ethanol or storage at − 20 °C before extraction would yield more eDNA. Bead beating and preservation at − 20 °C significantly increased the estimated amount of eDNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the atomic mass of the ablating target on the formation and expansion of the interaction region in laterally colliding plasmas has been studied. Fast imaging and optical emission spectroscopy have been utilized as diagnostic tools to investigate the characteristic features of the seed plasma as well as interaction zone formed by different target materials (i.e., carbon, aluminium, and nickel). The present results reveal that dynamical, spectral, and geometrical features of the induced interaction zone depend on the mass of the ablated species and spatial separation between the interacting plumes. It has been observed that a sharp, intense, and more directional interaction zone is formed by the interaction of heavier plume species in comparison to that observed for a lighter atomic mass target. Further, the difference in the plasma parameters in seed and interaction regions are explained from the analysis of emission from both the regions for aluminium plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus is one of the main limiting and strong influencing factors of eutrophication, and phosphorus controlling in lake is of great significance for eutrophication. To do this, sediment materials were taken from Dianchi Lake, a typically eutrophic lake, and modified by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and ZnSO4 to remove phosphorus and inhibit alkaline phosphatase activity (APA). Results indicated that phosphorus removal efficiencies of sediments modified by CTAB (S-CTAB), ZnSO4 (S-Zn), and oxidized sediments (OS) were higher than that of the raw sediment (RS). Ability to absorb phosphorus varied, following the order S-Zn>S-CTAB>OS>RS. Sorption was influenced by ionic strength, with the former decreasing with the increase of the latter. Freundlich model well described the sorption isotherm, with an R2 ranging from 0.9168 to 0.9958. Furthermore, compared with the raw sediments, the maximum phosphorus sorption capacities of S-Zn and S-CTAB increased by 12.2% and 124.5%, respectively. Results of desorption studies suggest that the desorption rate of S-Zn was from 3.88 to 13.76%, lower than that of other sediment materials. APA was inhibited by S-CTAB and S-Zn at the same time, with inhibition rates from 29.6% and 61.0% when the concentrations of S-CTAB and S-Zn were 10 nmol L−1 and 0.2 nmol L−1, respectively. This study provides new insights into phosphorus removal and phosphatase activity inhibition in water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction between the Io plasma torus and Io exhibits significant dynamics resulting from temporal variations of both external conditions in the plasma torus and local conditions in Io's environment. We present analysis of an extensive simulation campaign of the Io plasma interaction under varying interaction conditions performed by using a hybrid multispecies simulation model. We test two models of electron impact ionization, one resulting in plasma production constrained to the upstream hemisphere of Io and the other producing a more symmetric distribution of the plasma with nonnegligible plasma production on the downstream side of Io. In the latter case, the simulation model provides high level of agreement with Galileo measurements of magnetic field obtained during the I0 flyby, where the model captures even smaller‐scale features of the magnetic field profile. Our simulated results provide strong support for the existence of Io's induced dipole field. In this model we assume that induced dipole field moment is antiparallel to the direction of the inducing magnetic field, equivalent to induction in a highly conductive Io. Our results further support the idea that Io's atmosphere collapsed during the Galileo I27 flyby, which manifests itself in the lack of ion heating due to pickup processes in the extended atmosphere. Our results show that the dominant torus species, O+ and S++, are depleted around Io and may exhibit temperature anisotropy, T⊥/T‖ < 1, resulting from merging of ion populations coming from opposite sides of Io along the magnetic field. Key Points: A nonnegligible ion source on the downstream side of Io is required to explain Galileo observationsSimulated results provide strong support for the existence of Io's induced dipole fieldDominant torus species have parallel temperature exceeding the perpendicular temperature close to Io [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a consensus that progestins and thus their cognate receptor molecules, the progesterone receptors (PRs), are essential in the development of the adult mammary gland and regulators of proliferation and lactation. However, a role for natural progestins in breast carcinogenesis remains poorly understood. A hint to that possible role came from studies in which the synthetic progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate was associated with an increased breast cancer risk in women under hormone replacement therapy. However, progestins have also been used for breast cancer treatment and to inhibit the growth of several experimental breast cancer models. More recently, PRs have been shown to be regulators of estrogen receptor signaling. With all this information, the question is how can we target PR, and if so, which patients may benefit from such an approach? PRs are not single unique molecules. Two main PR isoforms have been characterized, PRA and PRB, which exert different functions and the relative abundance of one isoform with respect to the other determines the response of PR agonists and antagonists. Immunohistochemistry with standard antibodies against PR do not discriminate between isoforms. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the expression of both PR isoforms in mammary glands, in experimental models of breast cancer and in breast cancer patients, to better understand how the PRA/PRB ratio can be exploited therapeutically to design personalized therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the assembly of three-fold axially compressed icosahedral arrays of the bowl shaped p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene molecules in the solid-state, intricately bound to dipicolinate and yttrium(iii) ions, with the compression reflected in Hirshfeld surface analyses. Solution studies show dissolution of the icosahedra intact, but with a geometrical rearrangement to regular icosahedra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: During the financial crisis, monetary policy was loosened significantly. Debate continues about the extent to which low interest rates and quantitative easing (QE) may have had adverse distributional impacts, whether by income, wealth, age or region. Using quantified simulations on micro data, I show that looser monetary policy had a significantly positive financial impact on the majority of cohorts of UK society. The impact of monetary policy loosening on income and wealth inequality was small and the overall impact on household welfare significantly positive. These results differ from public perceptions of monetary policy. Personalised information on the impact of monetary policy on household balance sheets could help to correct these misperceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we present ecophysiological studies of the anaerobic sulfide oxidizers considered critical to cryptic sulfur cycling in oceanic oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). We find that HS− oxidation rates by microorganisms in the Chilean OMZ offshore from Dichato are sufficiently rapid (18 nM h−1), even at HS− concentrations well below 100 nM, to oxidize all sulfide produced during sulfate reduction in OMZs. Even at 100 nM, HS− is well below published half-saturation concentrations and we conclude that the sulfide-oxidizing bacteria in OMZs (likely the SUP05/ARTIC96BD lineage of the gammaproteobacteria) have high-affinity (>105 g−1 wet cells h−1) sulfur uptake systems. These specific affinities for sulfide are higher than those recorded for any other organism on any other substrate. Such high affinities likely allow anaerobic sulfide oxidizers to maintain vanishingly low sulfide concentrations in OMZs driving marine cryptic sulfur cycling. If more broadly distributed, such high-affinity sulfur biochemistry could facilitate sulfide-based metabolisms and prominent S-cycles in many other ostensibly sulfide-free environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The naphthoquinone unit of the title compound, C13H8O3, is essentially planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.013 Å for the non-H atoms. The essentially linear propargyl group is tilted by ca 113° relative to the naphthoquinone plane. In the crystal, molecules are linked via a pair of O--H...O hydrogen bonds, forming an inversion dimer. The dimers are further linked via pairs of C--H...O hydrogen bonds into a tape structure along [201]. No π-π stacking is observed in the present case as it could be expected for naphthoquinone derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous missions to Venus have revealed that encounters with plasma irregularities of atmospheric origin outside the atmosphere are not uncommon. A number of mechanisms have been proposed to discuss their origins as well as their roles in the atmospheric evolution of Venus. One such mechanism involves an ionopause with a wavelike appearance. By utilizing the magnetic field and plasma data from Venus Express, we present the first observational statistical analysis of the ionospheric boundary wave phenomena at Venus using data from 2006 to 2014. Results from the minimum variance analysis of all the photoelectron dropout events in the ionosphere reveal that the ionopause of Venus does not always appear to be smooth but often exhibits a wavelike appearance. In the northern polar region of Venus, the normal directions of the rippled ionospheric boundary crossings lie mainly in the terminator plane with the largest component predominantly along the dawn‐dusk (YVSO) direction. The average estimated wavelength of the boundary wave is 212 ± 12 km, and the average estimated velocity difference across the ionopause is 104 ± 6 km/s. The results suggest that the rippled boundary is a result of Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability. Analysis reveals a correlation between the normal directions and the locations of the boundary wave with respect to Venus. This indicates that the draping of magnetic field lines may play a role in enhancing the plasma flow along the dawn‐dusk direction, which could subsequently set up a velocity shear that favors the excitation of ionospheric boundary wave by the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability along the dawn‐dusk direction. Key Points: The ionospheric boundary is not always smooth; it is often observed to exhibit a wavelike appearanceCharacteristics of the boundary wave are consistent with a Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability‐induced waveDraping patterns of magnetic field lines set up favorable conditions for boundary wave excitation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The variations of plasma sheet proton properties during magnetospheric substorms at Earth and Mercury are comparatively studied. This study utilizes kappa distributions to interpret proton properties at both planets. Proton number densities are found to be around an order of magnitude higher, temperatures several times smaller, and κ values broader at Mercury than at Earth. Protons become denser and cooler during the growth phase, and are depleted and heated after the dipolarizations in both magnetospheres. The changes of κ at Earth are generally small (<20%), indicating that spectrum‐preserving processes, like adiabatic betatron acceleration, play an important role there, while variations of κ at Mercury are large (>60%), indicating the importance of spectrum‐altering processes there, such as acceleration due to nonadiabatic cross‐tail particle motions and wave‐particle interactions. This comparative study reveals important intrinsic properties on the energization of protons in both magnetospheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The study of the interplay between different self‐replicating molecules constitutes an important new phase in the synthesis of life and in unravelling the origin of life. Here we show how existing replicators can direct the nature of a newly formed replicator. Starting from the same building block, 6‐ring replicators formed when the mixture was exposed to pre‐existing 6‐membered replicators, while pre‐formed 8‐membered replicators funneled the building block into 8‐ring replicators. Not only ring size, but also the mode of assembly of the rings into stacks was inherited from the pre‐existing replicators. These results show that the nature of self‐replicating molecules can be strongly influenced by the interplay between different self‐replicators, overriding preferences innate to the structure of the building block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: ZIF‐8 nanoribbons, with tunable morphology and pore structure, were synthesized by using the tri‐block co‐polymer Pluronic F127 as a soft template. The as‐synthesized ZIF‐8 nanoribbons were converted into carbon nanoribbons by thermal transformation with largely preserved morphology and porosity. The resulting carbon nanoribbons feature both micro‐ and meso‐pores with high surface areas of over 1000 m2 g−1. In addition, nitrogen‐doping in the carbon nanoribbons was achieved, as confirmed by XPS and EELS measurements. The hybrid carbon nanoribbons provide pseudo‐capacitance that promotes electrochemical performance, rendering a high specific capacitance of up to 297 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 in a three‐electrode system. A long cycle life was also demonstrated by recording a 90.26 % preservation of capacitance after 10 000 cycles of charge–discharge at a current density of 4.0 A g−1. Furthermore, a symmetrical supercapacitor is fabricated by employing the carbon nanoribbons, which shows good electrochemical performance with respect to energy, power and cycle life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emission of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) can occur during biological nutrient removal. Denitrifying enhanced biological phosphorus removal (d-EBPR) systems are an efficient means of removing phosphate and nitrogen, performed by denitrifying polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (d-PAOs). The aim of this work was to study the effect of various combinations of electron acceptors, nitrate (NO3−), nitrite (NO2−), and N2O, on the denitrification pathway of a d-EBPR system. Batch tests were performed with different electron acceptor combinations, to explore the denitrification pathway. Reverse transcriptase-qPCR (RT-qPCR) and high-throughput sequencing, combined with chemical analysis, were used to study gene expression, microbial diversity, and denitrification kinetics. The potential for N2O production was greater than the potential for its reduction in most tests. A strong correlation was observed between the N2O reduction rate and the relative gene expression of nitrous oxide reductase per nitrite reductase (nosZ/(nirS + nirK)), suggesting that the expression of denitrifying marker genes is a strong predictor of the N2O reduction rate. The d-EBPR community maintained a core population with low variations throughout the study. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses of the studied marker genes revealed that the organisms actively involved in denitrification were closely related to Thauera sp., Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis, and Candidatus Competibacter denitrificans. Moreover, Competibacter-related OTUs seem to be important contributors to the N2O reduction capacity of the system, likely scavenging the N2O produced by other organisms. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the microbial biochemistry and the genetics involving biological denitrification removal, important to minimize N2O emissions in wastewater treatment plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five silver(I) complexes containing a mixed ligand system of phosphine and thiazolidine were successfully synthesized. The structural information of the complexes was assembled using various spectroscopic techniques such as CHN elemental analysis, Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR), 1H, 13C, and 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A bidentate phosphine ligand acted as a chelating agent which bond to the silver in 1 : 2 molar ratios. Meanwhile, thiazolidine was attached to the silver in a 1 : 1 molar ratio. The antiplasmodial properties of all synthesized complexes were investigated on chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum parasite via HRP2 assays and cytotoxicity tests on Vero cells. Of all the synthesized complexes, complex 2 showed the highest SI value (more than 12.4) followed by complex 5 (6.6). The potent properties of compounds 2 and 5 were also noted in the in vitro antiproliferative assays involving MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines as well as HT-29 colon cancer cell line. Complex 2 was selective for MDA-MB-231 cells (GI50 = 1.9 ± 0.3 µM), while complex 5 acted predominantly on breast carcinoma cells (GI50 MDA-MB-231 = 4.7 ± 1.1 µM; MCF-7 = 2.9 ± 0.9 µM) instead of colon carcinoma (HT-29) cells (GI50 = 15.1 ± 1.9 µM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activity-based screening of metagenomic DNA libraries is a promising approach to fish out genes encoding novel bioactive compounds/enzymes of industrial importance. The starting point of such functional screening in fosmid vectors is isolation of high molecular weight (HMW) DNA of sufficient purity from diverse environments. Metagenomic DNA isolation protocols mostly employ mechanical cell lysis that yields fragmented DNA. Those established for HMW DNA using enzymatic lysis have not considered samples with high lignocellulose or humic acid content. Enzymes from such environments are in great demand for bioenergy, paper, and related industries. Thus, an improved method was standardized that has three key features, i.e., use of harvested microbial biomass instead of raw samples, removal of humic substances prior to cell lysis by aluminum sulfate flocculation, and enzymatic/chemical lysis of cells with a lysozyme, mutanolysin, proteinase K, and SDS cocktail followed by phenol-chloroform extraction and precipitation of DNA by polyethylene glycol and NaCl. HMW DNA (~ 40 kb) was efficiently isolated from garden and forest soils, rice straw compost, and degrading wood from a hypersaline lake. The humic acid removal efficiency across samples was 96-98%. The isolated DNA was of high quality/purity and could be successfully used in downstream applications like PCR, ligation, and fosmid cloning. In fact, the DNA was directly used without any size selection, for fosmid library preparation with 70-90% efficiency as compared to the control insert. Thus, the method could suitably be used for HMW DNA isolation for the functional screening of enzymes from diverse humic acid-/lignocellulose-rich environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kerala has one of the highest suicide rates in India. Prior studies conducted in Thiruvananthapuram in the south of Kerala and Kozhikkode which is a northern district have identified the demographic profile and the methods used for committing suicides. The present study, conducted in Ernakulam district which lies in central Kerala attempted to analyze the methods employed for committing suicide, as well as the age and sex profile of the suicides. The cases autopsied at a teaching hospital in central Kerala during an 18 month period were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA for this purpose. The study revealed that the female preference of self immolation (P 0.000) is statistically significant. Males on the other hand, showed a significant preference for poisoning (P 0.048). Senior citizens (aged above 60) had a less strong preference for hanging as a method of suicide (P 0.038), but they showed a statistically significant preference for self immolation (P 0.027). Those aged 30 or less showed statistically significant preference for drowning as a method for committing suicide (P 0.011). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methods for fungal genomic DNA isolation for PCR amplification, including commercially available kits, must often be adapted in order to produce sufficient amounts of high-quality DNA from specific fungal species. The aim of this study was to select an optimal method for the isolation of DNA from Aspergillus flavus suitable for PCR reaction. Four different methods were compared according to their efficiency in isolating pure DNA, their price and time consumption. DNA quantification and purity estimation were performed using the NanoDropTM 1000 UV/VIS spectrophotometer and DNA integrity and PCR products were determined by gel-electrophoresis. DNA quantity ranged from 92.77 ± 11.52 to 5477.4 ± 22.03 ng/µL, with A260/280 from 1.14 ± 0.10 to 1.94 ± 0.16, and A260/230 0.37 ± 0.05 to 1.91 ± 0.17. There were also great differences in time consumption per sample, ranging from 1 hr 15 min to 7 hr 5 min. The determined costs per sample were ranging from 0.12 € to 2.29 € per sample. All tested methods were suitable for the isolation of A. flavus genomic DNA and subsequently for PCR reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrido[1,2-α]benzimidazole is one of the most important azaheterocyclic compounds consisting of three fused aromatic rings. Molecules containing this core have displayed a wide range of applications in the field of medicinal chemistry. The synthesis of pyrido[1,2- α]benzimidazole and its derivatives has attracted organic chemists because of its tremendous utility in interdisciplinary branches of chemistry. In this context, this review discusses the main advances in the synthesis of pyrido[1,2-α]benzimidazoles via metal-mediated and metalfree reactions from 2000 to 2016. 1 Introduction 2 Synthetic Approaches to Pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles 2.1 Type I: Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Methods 2.2 Type II: Metal-Free Approaches 3 Conclusion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) have recently witnessed remarkable growth driven by their holistic business model. The key differentiator of IFIs is their Shari’a-based business proposition which often requires some financial sacrifices, e.g. being ethical, responsible and philanthropic. It also requires them to refrain from investments in tobacco, alcohol, pornography or earning interest. For IFIs’ sponsors and managers, however, the key motivational factor for entering the Islamic financial market is not the achievement of Shari’a objectives through the holistic business model, but rather the urge to tap this highly profitable market where customers are inclined to pay a premium for Shari’a compliance. In order for IFIs to be accepted by the market, their financial instruments need to be approved by Shari’a scholars, known for their integrity and expertise in Shari’a. One can therefore expect potential tensions between IFIs’ managers and Shari’a scholars. The purpose of this research is to probe the hidden struggle between managers and Shari’a scholars in pursuit of their respective objectives. The study investigates this phenomenon using grounded theory as a methodological framework based on data collected from three IFIs from two countries. The findings reveal that Shari’a scholars and managers of IFIs have divergent objectives, which creates incongruence of objectives at the strategic level. The findings illustrate the tension and latent struggle for Shari’a compliance, which has been termed as ‘Fatwa Repositioning’ resulting in four possible consequences: deep, reasonable, minimum and superficial Shari’a compliance. Fatwa Repositioning is the core category of this study, which exhibits how managers and Shari’a scholars struggle to position the Shari’a compliance of their institutions so as to best serve their respective objectives. Interestingly, Shari’a scholars are seemingly not always in control of what they are supposed to be controlling, i.e. Shari’a compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bacterial strain (designated as YP1) was isolated from an aerobic granular sequence batch reactor (SBR) performing simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal. Based on the morphological, biochemical characteristics, and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence, YP1 was identified as Pseudoxanthomonas sp. strain. Strain YP1 was confirmed to have the ability to conduct denitrifying phosphorus removal (DPR). The optimal conditions for YP1 were pH 8.0, phosphorus (PO43−-P) concentration of 8.0 mg/L, sodium citrate as carbon source, and nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) concentration of 30 mg/L. The functional genes including ppk and ppx, narG and narA, nirS and nirK were amplified for understanding the DPR pathways. The results provide more information about denitrifying polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (DPAOs) in aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and lay the foundations for full-scale DPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoscale compartments formed by hierarchical protein self-assembly are valuable platforms for nanotechnology development. The well-defined structure and broad chemical functionality of protein cages, as well as their amenability to genetic and chemical modification, have enabled their repurposing for diverse applications. In this review, we summarize progress in the engineering of the cage-forming enzyme lumazine synthase. This bacterial nanocompartment has proven to be a malleable scaffold. The natural protein has been diversified to afford a family of unique proteinaceous capsules that have been modified, evolved and assembled with other components to produce nanoreactors, artificial organelles, delivery vehicles and virus mimics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present research, a type of cycloaliphatic silicone–epoxy resin is synthesized and then compounded with acrylates as well as photoinitiators to obtain hybrid photopolymers. The photocuring rate of the hybrid photopolymers, the morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of the cured samples with different silicone–epoxy/acrylate ratios are studied in detail. Scanning electron microscopy images prove that interpenetrating polymer network structure is formed. To improve the mechanical properties, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A is added and finally a type of hybrid photopolymer suitable for stereolithography 3D printing is obtained. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and photo‐differential scanning calorimeter measurements show that the hybrid photopolymer has a high curing rate, while thermal property tests prove that the cured sample has high thermal stability. Mechanical property tests show that the cured samples have a tensile strength of 40.3 MPa with a break elongation of 6.7%. The objects printed with the hybrid photopolymer exhibit high resolution and dimension accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lunar Thorn Selenia lunularia (Hübner, 1788) has undergone an upwards shift in altitude in the north-east English county of Yorkshire and is now rarely found on the lower ground. The rate of shift can be calculated over a twenty-year period and can be compared with similar species which appear to have become scarcer in lowland areas. Climatic change is probably the main driver for change though other factors such as land use may play a part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of high throughput sequencing and single-cell genomics technologies, many uncultured bacterial communities have been dissected by combining these two techniques. Especially, by simultaneously leveraging of single-cell genomics and metagenomics, researchers can greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of obtaining whole genome information from complex microbial communities, which not only allow us to identify microbes but also link function to species, identify subspecies variations, study host-virus interactions and etc. Here, we review recent developments and the challenges need to be addressed in single-cell metagenomics, including potential contamination, uneven sequence coverage, sequence chimera, genome assembly and annotation. With the development of sequencing and computational methods, single-cell metagenomics will undoubtedly broaden its application in various microbiome studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the impacts of the Mount Polley tailings impoundment failure on chemical, physical, and microbial properties of substrates within the affected watershed, comprised of 70 hectares of riparian wetlands and 40 km of stream and lake shore. We established a biomonitoring network in October of 2014, two months following the disturbance, and evaluated riparian and wetland substrates for microbial community composition and function via 16S and full metagenome sequencing. A total of 234 samples were collected from substrates at 3 depths and 1,650,752 sequences were recorded in a geodatabase framework. These data revealed a wealth of information regarding watershed-scale distribution of microbial community members, as well as community composition, structure, and response to disturbance. Substrates associated with the impact zone were distinct chemically as indicated by elevated pH, nitrate, and sulphate. The microbial community exhibited elevated metabolic capacity for selenate and sulfate reduction and an abundance of chemolithoautotrophs in the Thiobacillus thiophilus/T. denitrificans/T. thioparus clade that may contribute to nitrate attenuation within the affected watershed. The most impacted area (a 6 km stream connecting two lakes) exhibited 30% lower microbial diversity relative to the remaining sites. The tailings impoundment failure at Mount Polley Mine has provided a unique opportunity to evaluate functional and compositional diversity soon after a major catastrophic disturbance to assess metabolic potential for ecosystem recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hospitalized patients can suffer from Candida and Crytptococcus infections, aggravating underlying health conditions. Due to the development of drug-resistant microorganisms, we report here on the potential of some arylidene-thiobarbiturate to control five Candida spp. and one Cryptococcus species of medical interest. Initially, a bismuth nitrate catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation with thiobarbituric acid and aromatic aldehydes was developed. This new procedure generated seven new and thirteen known arylidene-thiobarbiturate derivatives (1-20) with excellent yields (81-95%), with a reaction time within 20 min. The antimicrobial activities of all compounds were evaluated against Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. lusitaniae, C. dubliniensis, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Several compounds were as active as the commercially available drugs (IC50 < 1.95 µg mL−1) towards at least one microbial strain. The results suggest that some of the new compounds can serve as leads for new antimicrobial agents for the treatment of human fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bombyliinae, one of the largest subfamilies of Bombyliidae, including 78 genera assigned to four tribes, is distributed on all continents except Antarctica. Their larvae are parasitoids, and adults are important pollinators. The Australian Bombyliinae currently has 17 described genera and 87 described species. The purpose of this study is to establish the phylogeny of the Australian members of the subfamily Bombyliinae, including the boundaries and relationships of the genera, using morphological characters. One maximum parsimony tree was generated from 83 morphological characters scored for 50 species, representing all recognised genera and some unplaced species that we considered may represent new genera. Phylogenetic analysis recovered the relationships between the recognised Australian genera of Bombyliinae and clarified generic limits. The group comprises five main clades, with the genus Pilosia being sister to the remaining Bombyliinae. On the basis of this analysis, four new genera are described: Lambkinomyia Li & Yeates, gen. nov., Dissodesma Bowden & Li, gen. nov., Nigromyia Li & Yeates, gen. nov. and Robertsmyia Li & Yeates, gen. nov. Ten new species are described: Dissodesma immaculata Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Dissodesma flava Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Dissodesma smarti Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia collessi Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia crocea Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia flavimana Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia longistriata Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia pantherina Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia parva Li & Yeates, sp. nov. and Nigromyia tomentosa Li & Yeates, sp. nov. Two new junior synonyms are identified: Apiformyia is a junior synonym of Eristalopsis and Brychosoma is a junior synonym of Staurostichus. The following new combinations are proposed: from Apiformyia: Eristalopsis australis (Yeates), comb. nov.; from Bombylius: Dissodesma primogenita (Walker) comb. nov.; from Brychosoma: Staurostichus aureolatus (Walker), comb. nov., Staurostichus hilaris (Walker), comb. nov. and Staurostichus pictipennis (Macquart), comb. nov.; from Laurella: Robertsmyia pallidoventris (Roberts), comb. nov.; from Mandella: Lambkinomyia cinctiventris (Roberts), comb. nov., Lambkinomyia flavovillosa (Roberts), comb. nov., Lambkinomyia pallida (Roberts), comb. nov. and Lambkinomyia rubida (Roberts), comb. nov.; and from Meomyia: Mandella australis (Guérin-Méneville), comb. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of molecular tools, coupled with improvements in paternity assignment computation, offer breeders a cost-effective and readily implementable breeding tool to improve the rate of genetic gain in forages. Molecular marker paternity assays may improve genetic gain in white clover (Trifolium repens L.) half-sib family breeding programs by utilizing a larger coeffi- cient of additive genetic variation. To evaluate the potential to improve breeding outcomes by use of a molecular marker paternity assay in allotetraploid white clover (2n = 4x = 32), seven single-locus, homoeologue-specific simple sequence repeat markers were genotyped and analyzed on 1277 half-sib progeny and their 20 parents from a polycross pollinated by bumble bees (Bombus sp.). Paternity was assigned to 88.9% of progeny using a likelihood algorithm implemented in Cervus. Estimates of additive genetic variances from multisite, space-planted field experiments established in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were used to predict selection responses. Joint maternal and molecular-marker-assayed paternal half-sib family selection offered improved theoretical selection gains relative to conventional maternal half-sib family selection for herbage yield and trifoliate center leaflet width. The estimated selection responses based on empirical parameters demonstrated the theoretical wisdom of incorporating molecular-marker-assayed paternity in white clover breeding programs as an effective tool to improve selection responses per cycle of selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The 3‐component hemolysin BL (Hbl) and non‐hemolytic enterotoxin (Nhe) are probably associated with Bacillus cereus diarrheal outbreaks. In this study, toxin transcription of 18 biochemically positive isolates isolated from 80 beef burgers containing different percentage of meat (30, 60, and 90%) were evaluated using PCR method. Bacterial growth curves were further obtained by Bioscreen C to predict B. cereus population of uncooked and fried burgers kept at refrigerator and at room temperatures. The results showed that 22.5% of beef burgers (18 of 80 burgers) were contaminated with B. cereus where 14/18 and 5/18 of the samples contaminated to B. cereus with Nhe and Hbl genes, respectively. No significant growth was observed in burgers stored at 4 °C, although after 8 hr the uncooked burgers and within 10 hr the fried burgers stored at 20 °C were considered as spoiled by reaching B. cereus counts of >106 cfu/g. Practical applications: Bacillus cereus is recognized as a causative agent of emetic and diarrheal foodborne poisoning. To differentiate the encoding chromosomal genes of Nhe (i.e., nheA, nheB, and nheC) and Hbl (i.e., hblC, hblD, and hblA), multiplex PCR was quite selective to perform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressures are mounting upon Australian retailers including their ability to grow profit. Price deflation for many items, a lack of wage growth, and, the rise of huge online platforms is just some of the factors now creating difficulties for retailers. In the absence of sales growth, profit can only be improved with a focus on the cost side of the business. And, it is this focus that has brought about the potential for unethical decision making. This case study examines the role of accountants in influencing this decision making. Accountants are often seen as the experts when it comes to cost control. Consequently, they have a unique opportunity to use their position to help ensure that when governance processes surrounding cost (and profit) management are established, or when key decisions are made, these are undertaken on an ethical basis. This teaching case explores this issue within three scenarios relevant to the current Australian retail industry. Firstly, the ethical concerns of the use of power by the big retailers to reduce costs within international and domestic supply chains are examined. Secondly, recent instances of questionable practices to inflate profits through rebate, and other, accounting methods are analysed. Finally, the design of remuneration systems is discussed within the context of whether these are creating unethical biases within organisational decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate and comment on the factors used by Australian students to select their bank and the products and services they utilise, based on responses to an online questionnaire.Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methods, was used to investigate this research issue. Convenience sampling resulted in 276 completed online responses. Mean ranking and factor analysis methods were employed to identify the key factors used in selecting a bank and frequency analysis used to examine the products and services utilised by students.Findings The key factors used by students to select a bank in Australia were bank competence, recommendations and outside influences, bank costs, returns and services, and finally location. The main bank products and services used by students were automated teller machines (ATMs), savings accounts, internet and telephone banking, and debit cards.Research limitations/implications The use of an online survey which limits the pool of respondents to internet users and, the sample size limits generalisability of the findings.Practical implications Banks can better target and understand the key determinants used by students in selecting a bank and the products and services this group values. This will allow Australian banks to develop programs to better attract and retain student customers.Originality/value Provides insight to and understanding of the determinants used by students to select their bank and the products and services they utilise. Furthermore, this study fills a gap in the literature by focusing on the banking behaviour of Australian students, an important segment of bank customers previously under-researched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploration of a green carrier to avoid potential systemic toxicity and the unclear metabolic mechanism of traditional nanocarriers is of high importance for cancer therapy. Hence, we developed a carrier-free nanosystem for co-delivery of dual anti-cancer drugs ursolic acid (UA) and doxorubicin (DOX) using a “green” and simple method. The co-assembled nanodrug was further modified with a HER2 aptamer by electrostatic interactions. The co-assembled dual nanodrug presented a spherical morphology with a uniform size (∼108.9 nm) and in a pH-triggered drug release manner. It made UA sensitize DOX to display synergistic anticancer effects at a low dose of DOX. Further, the aptamer surface decoration improved the intracellular drug retention of UA and DOX to as much as 2-fold in HER2 overexpressing cancer cells. In addition, the in vivo results further proved that the co-assembled nanodrug could significantly inhibit the tumor growth with a little side effects. In a word, this novel carrier-free dual-drug nanodelivery system could be a potential drug candidate for HER2 overexpressing cancer therapy, and UA could be used as a “green” nanocarrier for delivery of hydrophobic drugs and fluorescent dyes in cancer treatment and diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent discovery that malignant neoplastic lesions date back nearly 2 million years ago not only highlights the antiquity of cancer in the human lineage, but also provides remarkable insight into ancestral hominin disease pathology. Using these Early Pleistocene examples as a point of departure, we emphasize the prominent role of viral and bacterial pathogens in oncogenesis and evaluate the impact of pathogens on human evolutionary processes in Africa. In the Shakespearean vernacular 'what's past is prologue,' we highlight the significance of novel information derived from ancient pathogenic DNA. In particular, and given the temporal depth of human occupation in sub- Saharan Africa, it is emphasized that the region is ideally positioned to play a strategic role in the discovery of ancient pathogenic drivers of not only human mortality, but also human evolution. Ancient African pathogen genome data can provide novel revelations concerning human-pathogen coevolutionary processes, and such knowledge is essential for forecasting the ways in which emerging zoonotic and increasingly transmissible diseases might influence human demography and longevity in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]