scholarly journals Water–Sulfuric Acid Foam as a Possible Habitat for Hypothetical Microbial Community in the Cloud Layer of Venus

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1034
Author(s):  
Dmitry A. Skladnev ◽  
Sergei P. Karlov ◽  
Yuliya Y. Khrunyk ◽  
Oleg R. Kotsyurbenko

The data available at the moment suggest that ancient Venus was covered by extensive bodies of water which could harbor life. Later, however, the drastic overheating of the planet made the surface of Venus uninhabitable for Earth-type life forms. Nevertheless, hypothetical Venusian organisms could have gradually adapted to conditions within the cloud layer of Venus—the only niche containing liquid water where the Earth-type extremophiles could survive. Here we hypothesize that the unified internal volume of a microbial community habitat is represented by the heterophase liquid-gas foam structure of Venusian clouds. Such unity of internal space within foam water volume facilitates microbial cells movements and trophic interactions between microorganisms that creates favorable conditions for the effective development of a true microbial community. The stabilization of a foam heterophase structure can be provided by various surfactants including those synthesized by living cells and products released during cell lysis. Such a foam system could harbor a microbial community of different species of (poly)extremophilic microorganisms that are capable of photo- and chemosynthesis and may be closely integrated into aero-geochemical processes including the processes of high-temperature polymer synthesis on the planet’s surface. Different complex nanostructures transferred to the cloud layers by convection flows could further contribute to the stabilization of heterophase liquid-gas foam structure and participate in chemical and photochemical reactions, thus supporting ecosystem stability.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhang-Xian Xie ◽  
Shu-Feng Zhang ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Ling-Fen Kong ◽  
Lin Lin ◽  
...  

AbstractThe deep ocean is the largest habitat on earth and holds diverse microbial life forms. Significant advances have been made in microbial diversity and their genomic potential in the deep ocean, however, little is known about microbial metabolic activity that is crucial to regulate the bathypelagic carbon sequestration. Here, we characterized proteomes covering large particulate (>0.7 μm), small particulate (0.2-0.7 μm) and dissolved (10 kDa-0.2 μm) fractions collected at a depth of 3000 m in the South China Sea. The Rhodospirillales, SAR324, SAR11, Nitrosinae/Tectomicrobia were the major contributors in the particulate fraction whereas Alteromonadales and viruses dominated the dissolved counterpart. Frequent detection of transcription or translation proteins in the particulate fractions indicated active metabolism of SAR324, Archaea, SAR11, and possible viable surface microbes, e.g. Prochlorococcus. Transporters for diverse substrates were the most abundant functional groups, and numerous spectra of formate dehydrogenases and glycine betaine transporters unveiled the importance of methylated compounds for the survival of deep-sea microbes. Notably, abundant non-viral proteins, especially transporters and cytoplasmic proteins, were detected in the dissolved fraction, indicating their potential roles in nutrient scavenging and the stress response. Our size-based proteomic study implied the holistic microbial activity mostly acting on the labile dissolved organic matter as well as the potential activities of surface microbes and dissolved non-viral proteins in the deep ocean.ImportanceThe deep ocean produces one third of the biological CO2 in the ocean. However, little is known about metabolic activity of the bathypelagic microbial community which is crucial for understanding the biogeochemical cycling of organic matter, especially the formation of bulk refractory dissolved organic matter (DOM), one of the largest reservoirs of reduced carbon on Earth. This study provided the protein evidence firstly including both particulate and dissolved fractions to comprehensively decipher the active microbes and metabolic processes involved in the DOM recycling in the deep ocean. Our data supported the hypothesis of the carbon and energy supply from the labile DOM after the solution of sinking particles to the bathypelagic microbial community.


Author(s):  
O. N. Izyumova

In the article the basic directions of influence of quality of regional legislation on investment and business activity of subjects of small and average business. The problems of fostering activity of entrepreneurship in the moment, the most important are the economy of the country as a whole and within each individual region. Since small business is more mobile, requires less investment, so less payback period. Small and medium entrepreneurship -effective development of the economy. Due to the effectiveness of entrepreneurship in the economy a direct interest in their own benefit in the development - entering new markets, increased profitability, increase in volumes of production and sales to ensure a decent standard of living and their employees. Therefore, at the legislative level, measures are taken to create a comfortable environment for business development: we have formed and refined by the Institute of public support and development of small business, open training and business centers, consulting and leasing firms, business incubators, technology parks. For example, on the territory of Russia opened industrial parks, concentrating not only investments (including joint with foreign companies and jobs). A study conducted in the framework of this article, is based on the results of the analysis which was conducted both in the structure of the SFD, and in the structure of the types.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-419
Author(s):  
T. M. Khlebodarova ◽  
V. A. Likhoshvai

Paleontologists define global extinctions on Earth as a loss of about three-quarters of plant and animal species over a relatively short period of time. At least five global extinctions are documented in the Phanerozoic fossil record (~500-million-year period): ~65, 200, 260, 380, and 440 million years ago. In addition, there is evidence of global extinctions in earlier periods of life on Earth – during the Late Cambrian (~500 million years ago) and Ediacaran periods (more than 540 million years ago). There is still no common opinion on the causes of their occurrence. The current study is a systematized review of the data on recorded extinctions of complex life forms on Earth from the moment of their occurrence during the Ediacaran period to the modern period. The review discusses possible causes for mass extinctions in the light of the influence of abiogenic factors, planetary or astronomical, and the consequences of their actions. We evaluate the pros and cons of the hypothesis on the presence of periodicity in the extinction of Phanerozoic marine biota. Strong evidence that allows us to hypothesize that additional mechanisms associated with various internal biotic factors are responsible for the emergence of extinctions in the evolution of complex life forms is discussed. Developing the idea of the internal causes of periodicity and discontinuity in evolution, we propose our own original hypothesis, according to which the bistability phenomenon underlies the complex dynamics of the biota development, which is manifested in the form of global extinctions. The bistability phenomenon arises only in ecosystems with predominant sexual reproduction. Our hypothesis suggests that even in the absence of global abiotic catastrophes, extinctions of biota would occur anyway. However, our hypothesis does not exclude the possibility that in different periods of the Earth’s history the biota was subjected to powerful external influences that had a significant impact on its further development, which is reflected in the Earth’s fossil record.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-71
Author(s):  
Anastasiya D. Savelieva ◽  
Dmitriy V. Milyaev ◽  
Dmitriy I. Dushenin

The authors consider the conditions under which the geological study of the identified structures can lead to a commercial industrially significant discovery of the Deposit. To achieve this goal, a non-standard approach was chosen - determining the minimum cost-effective parameters of object development using threshold analysis algorithms. It allows you to determine, on the one hand, the limitations of cost - effective development of objects that exist at the moment, to identify critical parameters that determine the unprofitability of the project, on the other - to create conditions in which development can become cost-effective in the future, thereby forming a vector in which decisions should be made at all stages of the project implementation. Application of the approach is demonstrated on a group of promising local objects in Paleozoic deposits located in the South of Western Siberia. The conditions for effective development of the objects under consideration are obtained, the probability of their achievement is estimated, and a list of recommendations on the order of search drilling is formulated. The complexity, convenience and applicability of this approach to the problem of searching for conditions for the formation of new resource and economic assets are proved.


M/C Journal ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Rockeymoore

who b we? we b the cyber-denizens of the net: those who go forth proclaiming n flaming, emoticonning the digimasses, engaging n macro-enhanced keystroking at the speed of electronic might, parsing gigabytes by the light of the midnight sun, surfing the net n search of n outlet. b we real or b we memorexical repeticons of archetypes long gone - matrices of sentience, cybotyk nomads - born of form n chaos reconceived, nanocyte n picobyte leaves on the conceptual eaves of a graphically-interfaced wildwood built of silicon n silt, carbon n steel n a realm of technological disutopian damnation. b we infinidimensional, digitally delineated representations of finidimensional life forms losing focus n clarity with each enunciation n e-proclamation of self n purpose? b we user-name alone - attributes inscribed n stone - bones cloned by vitronome? ego complexes n sexes that circumscribe tribes with deceptive ways n days out of phase? or the forces of mind that find time 2 mine the chatrooms n forums 4 blue moons n quorums? b we lurkers consuming content our thoughts bent n resent, exporting dross until holy crosses r embossed? a schism exists, betwixt here n there, i n we, u n me. a fracture of stature n infinite dimensions. flaming swords of righteousness thunder heavenward renting conceptual sky n earth alike n electronic quakes of spite spewing vitriolic lakes reality dolomited -- sans the soulless n the blighted hear me fight the power c we electronically glower b-boy stance uncowered b free cybotycysm relieved inanely quiescent calm dead space follows the storm race laced with traces of spin place reflects the sin of the heartless human spirals n waves of content reiteration define a nation as slave 2 unspent aggression wallowing n spacious formlessness samizdat released west-east ideopolitico-shell-game ceased collective zeitgeist appeased hype vs. reality sequels equal n opposite dichotomies me u n god we b discourse defines the moment of knowing, of internal logic cum external postulations; n the equation of 1 the containment of all resides. access 2 the mentifacts of self require objectification: the modeling of subjectivity on n infinite level of aggregation, egress n entrance regulated by the physically-sated. sociofacts of the collective employ the artifacts of technogogic wizardry 2 sublime effect presaging the realization that higher thought is tantamount 2 godliness n the context of human expression. i, self equals god. the cybotyk imperative is the compulsion of creation; of original knowledge; original sin; a return 2 the garden of the edomites. deus ex machina incarnates, dancing ghostly quadrilles while decrying xenophobic self-immolation n favor of cyborg dreams n streams of energetic cream. smart cards - n reality personality shards - tossed across cyber-space; traces of ascetic interfaces, diligent wanderers ponder frightmares of self-hatred loosed from their subconscious vaults n cages. lurking, lurking beyond the pale shade of hades replayed over n over again on the webpages of sages: they b lost, tossed by seas of need but freed by decree, their manifest destiny subsumed 2 the technological imperative of their creation. no one knows the trouble i've seen. swing low n blow droves of cloves through hallucinogenic treasure troves n emote 2 free us all. postmodern faith n godless alliances n 4gotten sciences inform the dialectical narrative of the net, encompassing all belief systems, philosophical schools n religious dogma. mentative gurus of the technogogic imperative abound, framing their illogical discourses n shades of i am n we b, thereby speaking 2 me, n u 2. self-definition implies a contradiction n terms since self is intuitively unknowable 2 the cyber-bound, who re4mat themselves 4 use with different media; exemplified by the lack of strict boundaries; possessing a fluid n ever-changing form; evolving beyond the moment n2 future conceptions of perception; switching identities, user names 2 manifest multitudinous aspects of the individuated ego complex; becoming what we wish 2 b n what we c. heralds trumpet the death of the self: the birth of the infinidimensional traveler. the cybot: she who holds the key 2 eternity n his pantone-hued grasp n strides across vast n wondrous vistas of imagination n vision realized. 2 the east, blackwards, the clan stands firm, staves of steel n hand, divine wills chilled on demand. united, we stand. 2 the west, dressed n white n shining might, death follows love 2night. divided, we fall. the cybotycystyk schism is real, y'all. split n twain 4 monetary gain n soulless trains of thought. who b we? we b the denizens of the cybernetic wildwood. we b the cybots of thought. we b those who c. we b. we.  


Author(s):  
Renata Lima Oliveira ◽  
Ana Carolina Miano ◽  
Leodinilde Pinto Caetano ◽  
Mercedes Queiroz Zuliani ◽  
Daniela Queiroz Zuliani

In late 2019, an infectious disease with a high rate of human-to-human transmission was identified in Wuhan, China, which was called Covid-19. In a short time, this disease affected several regions of the world and became a pandemic, with huge impacts on people's lives and the environment. This article aims to investigate the existing relationships between health and the environment, at the moment of confronting Covid-19 in Brazil, focusing on the socioenvironmental issues of sanitation and agglomeration and its consequences/limits for prevention/care in Public Health. For the development of the research, a systematic review was carried out between May and June 2020. The article brings aspects about the industrial revolution and its relationship with life forms; the issue of sanitation, agglomeration as a reflection of geographical inequalities and their impact on combating Covid-19. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the various health measures that dialogue with environmental, social and political actions that need to be built, in the various dimensions, in order to fight socio-environmental inequalities.


1997 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 491-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Westall

AbstractThe oldest cell-like structures on Earth are preserved in silicified lagoonal, shallow sea or hydrothermal sediments, such as some Archean formations in Western Australia and South Africa. Previous studies concentrated on the search for organic fossils in Archean rocks. Observations of silicified bacteria (as silica minerals) are scarce for both the Precambrian and the Phanerozoic, but reports of mineral bacteria finds, in general, are increasing. The problems associated with the identification of authentic fossil bacteria and, if possible, closer identification of bacteria type can, in part, be overcome by experimental fossilisation studies. These have shown that not all bacteria fossilise in the same way and, indeed, some seem to be very resistent to fossilisation. This paper deals with a transmission electron microscope investigation of the silicification of four species of bacteria commonly found in the environment. The Gram positiveBacillus laterosporusand its spore produced a robust, durable crust upon silicification, whereas the Gram negativePseudomonas fluorescens, Ps. vesicularis, andPs. acidovoranspresented delicately preserved walls. The greater amount of peptidoglycan, containing abundant metal cation binding sites, in the cell wall of the Gram positive bacterium, probably accounts for the difference in the mode of fossilisation. The Gram positive bacteria are, therefore, probably most likely to be preserved in the terrestrial and extraterrestrial rock record.


Author(s):  
A. V. Crewe

The high resolution STEM is now a fact of life. I think that we have, in the last few years, demonstrated that this instrument is capable of the same resolving power as a CEM but is sufficiently different in its imaging characteristics to offer some real advantages.It seems possible to prove in a quite general way that only a field emission source can give adequate intensity for the highest resolution^ and at the moment this means operating at ultra high vacuum levels. Our experience, however, is that neither the source nor the vacuum are difficult to manage and indeed are simpler than many other systems and substantially trouble-free.


Author(s):  
Burton B. Silver

Sectioned tissue rarely indicates evidence of what is probably a highly dynamic state of activity in mitochondria which have been reported to undergo a variety of movements such as streaming, divisions and coalescence. Recently, mitochondria from the rat anterior pituitary have been fixed in a variety of configurations which suggest that conformational changes were occurring at the moment of fixation. Pinocytotic-like vacuoles which may be taking in or expelling materials from the surrounding cell medium, appear to be forming in some of the mitochondria. In some cases, pores extend into the matrix of the mitochondria. In other forms, the remains of what seems to be pinched off vacuoles are evident in the mitochondrial interior. Dense materials, resembling secretory droplets, appear at the junction of the pores and the cytoplasm. The droplets are similar to the secretory materials commonly identified in electron micrographs of the anterior pituitary.


Author(s):  
J. S. Wall

The forte of the Scanning transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) is high resolution imaging with high contrast on thin specimens, as demonstrated by visualization of single heavy atoms. of equal importance for biology is the efficient utilization of all available signals, permitting low dose imaging of unstained single molecules such as DNA.Our work at Brookhaven has concentrated on: 1) design and construction of instruments optimized for a narrow range of biological applications and 2) use of such instruments in a very active user/collaborator program. Therefore our program is highly interactive with a strong emphasis on producing results which are interpretable with a high level of confidence.The major challenge we face at the moment is specimen preparation. The resolution of the STEM is better than 2.5 A, but measurements of resolution vs. dose level off at a resolution of 20 A at a dose of 10 el/A2 on a well-behaved biological specimen such as TMV (tobacco mosaic virus). To track down this problem we are examining all aspects of specimen preparation: purification of biological material, deposition on the thin film substrate, washing, fast freezing and freeze drying. As we attempt to improve our equipment/technique, we use image analysis of TMV internal controls included in all STEM samples as a monitor sensitive enough to detect even a few percent improvement. For delicate specimens, carbon films can be very harsh-leading to disruption of the sample. Therefore we are developing conducting polymer films as alternative substrates, as described elsewhere in these Proceedings. For specimen preparation studies, we have identified (from our user/collaborator program ) a variety of “canary” specimens, each uniquely sensitive to one particular aspect of sample preparation, so we can attempt to separate the variables involved.


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