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An Actinobacteria – Kitasatospora sp. K002 – was isolated from the soil of Cerrado, a savanna-like Brazilian biome. Herein, we conducted a phylogenetic, phenotypic and physiological characterization, revealing its potential for biotechnological applications. Kitasatospora sp. K002 is an aerobic, non-motile, Gram-positive bacteria that forms grayish-white mycelium on solid cultures and submerged spores with vegetative mycelia on liquid cultures. The strain showed antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Genomic analysis indicated that Kitasatospora xanthocidica JCM 4862 is the closest strain to K002, with a dDDH of 32.8–37.8% and an ANI of 86.86% and the pangenome investigations identified a high number of rare genes. A total of 60 gene clusters of 22 different types were detected by AntiSMASH, and 22 gene clusters showed low similarity (< 10%) with known compounds, which suggests the potential production of novel bioactive compounds. In addition, phylogenetic analysis and morphophysiological characterization clearly distinguished Kitasatospora sp. K002 from other related species. Therefore, we propose that Kitasatospora sp. K002 should be recognized as a new species of the genus Kitasatospora – Kitasatospora brasiliensis sp. nov. (type strains = K002).

High quality nuclear data lie at the heart of accurately modelling stellar systems and terrestrial nuclear reactors. However, some key reaction cross sections have large uncertainties, which limit such models in predicting isotopic abundances and other aspects of stellar evolution, along with key operational parameters for nuclear reactors. Reactions involving neutrons are particularly difficult to measure experimentally in laboratories, not least due to the unique challenges involved when detecting neutrons. We present a new approach to measuring nuclear reactions involving neutrons by exploiting the Thick-Target Inverse Kinematics (TTIK) approach. For such measurements, a new detector called ATTIKUS (A Thick-Target Inverse Kinematics detector by Universities in Sheffield) is under construction. Here we present designs and Geant4 Monte-Carlo simulations of the detector. The simulations indicate that a neutron position reconstruction resolution of 10 cm is obtainable and demonstrate how this device could be applied to the 13C(α,n) reaction, which is considered to be the main neutron source for the s-process in low-mass Asymptotic Giant Branch stars. In the TTIK method, the emission position of the neutron (the nuclear interaction position in a gaseous target) is directly linked to the centre-of-mass energy of the reaction. Therefore, a position resolution will translate into an energy resolution, depending on the beam-target combination. The inverse reaction, 16O(n,α), causes a large uncertainty in calculating the effective neutron multiplication factor, Keff in nuclear reactors, so improvements are required here.

The aim of this study is to investigate in detail the specific tendencies of conflict management strategies displayed by trained and untrained synchronous computer-mediated communication (CMC) teams over time. A laboratory experiment was carried out with 54 virtual teams of four members each randomly assigned to the two conditions: experimental condition and control condition. In the experimental condition 28 teams received a training program for improving virtual team functioning among session 1 and 2, consisting in a team self-guided training. These results were compared with 26 control teams, who did not receive any training program. Content analysis of the chat was used as research method. Our results showed that trained synchronous CMC teams use more frequently functional conflict management strategies, like open communication and rotating responsibilities, and less dysfunctional conflict management strategies (avoiding) over time. In contrast, untrained synchronous CMC teams tend to use more frequently dysfunctional conflict management strategies (avoiding) and less frequently functional conflict management strategies (rotating responsibility) over time. Our study shows that team self-guided training can be useful for virtual teams. Feedback given to teams about their processes and results improves group conflict management in a virtual context.

In an oil well, high hydrogen content within the surrounding rocks is one indicator of the presence of hydrocarbons. Nuclear well-logging entails the deployment of a detector tool and neutron source downhole to characterise the strata properties as a function of depth. After neutron bombardment, the resulting distribution of radiation is sensitive to the hydrogen content. Current detectors favour use of radioisotopes, such as Am-Be or Cf-252 sources. Potential improvements in both safety and data collection capabilities are possible using Deuterium-Tritium Pulsed Neutron Generators (D-T PNGs) as an alternative neutron source when coupled with fast timing and position sensitive detectors. We propose a low-cost, modular detector system, that can measure the flux of thermal neutrons and gammas at various distances from a pulsed fast neutron source. The detector modules consist of in-house manufactured plastic scintillator coupled to BN:ZnS(Ag) thermal neutron converter foils. These mixed-field detectors show good figure of merit for neutron-gamma discrimination at low-cost, allowing us to construct positional and temporal distributions of detected neutrons and gammas. Based upon early simulations, these distributions are sensitive to the hydrogen content.

Infectious diseases are one of the major drivers of coral reef decline worldwide. White plague-like disease (WPL) is a widespread disease with a complex etiology that infects several coral species, including the Brazilian endemic species Mussismilia braziliensis. Gene expression profiles of healthy and WPL-affected M. braziliensis were analyzed in winter and summer seasons. The de novo assembly of the M. braziliensis transcriptome from healthy and white plague samples produced a reference transcriptome containing 119,088 transcripts. WPL-diseased samples were characterized by repression of immune system and cellular defense processes. Autophagy and cellular adhesion transcripts were also repressed in WPL samples, suggesting exhaustion of the coral host defenses. Seasonal variation leads to plasticity in transcription with upregulation of intracellular signal transduction, apoptosis regulation, and oocyte development in the summer. Analysis of the active bacterial rRNA indicated that Pantoea bacteria were more abundant in WPL corals, while Tistlia, Fulvivirga, and Gammaproteobacteria Ga0077536 were more abundant in healthy samples. Cyanobacteria proliferation was also observed in WPL, mostly in the winter. These results indicate a scenario of dysbiosis in WPL-affected M. braziliensis, with the loss of potentially symbiotic bacteria and proliferation of opportunistic microbes after the start of the infection process.

Estrogen is a negative regulator of lymphopoiesis and provides an experimental tool for probing relationships between lymphocyte precursors and stem cells. We found that expression of lymphocyte-associated genes and immunoglobulin (Ig) gene rearrangement occurred before CD45R acquisition. Lymphoid-restricted progenitors that were Lin − IL-7Rα + c-kit lo TdT + (lineage marker − , interleukin receptor 7α + , c-kit lo and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase + ) were selectively depleted in estrogen-treated mice; within a less differentiated Lin − c-kit hi fraction, functional precursors of B and T, but not myeloid, cells were also selectively depleted. TdT and an Ig heavy chain transgene were detected within a hormone-regulated Lin − c-kit hi Sca-1 + CD27 + Flk-2 + IL-7Rα − subset of this multipotential progenitor population. Identification of these extremely early lymphoid precursors should facilitate investigation of the molecular mechanisms that control lineage-fate decisions in hematopoiesis.

Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by autoantibodies against cardiolipins (aCL), lupus anticoagulant, and independent β2-glycoprotein (β2GPI). Controversy exists as to whether vaccination triggers the development of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Patients with SLE (101) and matched controls (101) were enrolled from 2005–2009 and received seasonal influenza vaccinations. Sera were tested by ELISA for aCL at baseline, 2, 6, and 12 weeks after vaccination. Vaccine responses were ranked according to an overall anti-influenza antibody response index. Individuals with positive aCL were further tested for β2GPI antibodies. Results: Patients with SLE and healthy controls can develop new-onset aCL post vaccination, although at rates which do not differ between patients and controls (12/101 cases and 7/101 controls, OR 1.81, p = 0.34). New-onset moderate aCL are slightly enriched in African American SLE patients (5/36 cases; p = 0.094). The optical density measurements for aCL reactivity in patients were significantly higher than baseline at 2 weeks (p < 0.05), 6 weeks (p < 0.05), and 12 weeks (p < 0.05) post vaccination. No new β2GPI antibodies were detected among patients with new aCL reactivity. Vaccine response was not different between patients with and without new-onset aCL reactivity (p = 0.43). Conclusions: This study shows transient increases in aCL, but not anti-β2GPI responses, after influenza vaccination.

Members of the recently proposed genus Parasynechococcus ( Cyanobacteria ) are extremely abundant throughout the global ocean and contribute significantly to global primary productivity. However, the taxonomy of these organisms remains poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to propose a new taxonomic framework for Parasynechococcus based on a genomic taxonomy approach that incorporates genomic, physiological and ecological data. Through in silico DNA–DNA hybridization, average amino acid identity, dinucleotide signatures and phylogenetic reconstruction, a total of 15 species of Parasynechococcus could be delineated. Each species was then described on the basis of their gene content, light and nutrient utilization strategies, geographical distribution patterns throughout the oceans and response to environmental parameters.

This paper reports the development and detailed properties of about 13 metric tons of gadolinium sulfate octahydrate, $\\rm Gd_2(\\rm SO_4)_3\\cdot \\rm 8H_2O$, which has been dissolved into Super-Kamiokande (SK) in the summer of 2020. We evaluate the impact of radioactive impurities in $\\rm Gd_2(\\rm SO_4)_3\\cdot \\rm 8H_2O$ on diffuse supernova neutrino background searches and solar neutrino observation and confirm the need to reduce radioactive and fluorescent impurities by about three orders of magnitude from commercially available high-purity $\\rm Gd_2(\\rm SO_4)_3\\cdot \\rm 8H_2O$. In order to produce ultra-high-purity $\\rm Gd_2(\\rm SO_4)_3\\cdot \\rm 8H_2O$, we have developed a method to remove impurities from gadolinium oxide, Gd2O3, consisting of acid dissolution, solvent extraction, and pH control processes, followed by a high-purity sulfation process. All of the produced ultra-high-purity $\\rm Gd_2(\\rm SO_4)_3\\cdot \\rm 8H_2O$ is assayed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and high-purity germanium detectors to evaluate its quality. Because of the long measurement time of high-purity germanium detectors, we have employed several underground laboratories for making parallel measurements including the Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc in Spain, Boulby in the UK, and Kamioka in Japan. In the first half of production, the measured batch purities were found to be consistent with the specifications. However, in the latter half, the $\\rm Gd_2(\\rm SO_4)_3\\cdot \\rm 8H_2O$ contained one order of magnitude more 228Ra than the budgeted mean contamination. This was correlated with the corresponding characteristics of the raw material Gd2O3, in which an intrinsically large contamination was present. Based on their modest impact on SK physics, they were nevertheless introduced into the detector. To reduce 228Ra for the next stage of gadolinium loading to SK, a new process has been successfully established.