High-quality permanent draft genome sequence of the type strain USDA 76, isolated from (L.) Merr.

USDA 76 (INSCD = ARAG00000000), the type strain for , is an aerobic, motile, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming rod that was isolated from an effective nitrogen-fixing root nodule of (L. Merr) grown in the USA. Because of its significance as a microsymbiont of this economically important legume, USDA 76 was selected as part of the DOE Joint Genome Institute 2010 sequencing project.

High-quality draft genome sequence of strain STM6155, a microsymbiont from New Caledonia.

STM6155 (INSCD = ATYY01000000) is an aerobic, motile, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming rod that can exist as a soil saprophyte or as an effective nitrogen fixing microsymbiont of the legume L.. STM6155 was isolated in 2009 from a nodule of the trap host grown in nickel-rich soil collected near Mont Dore, New Caledonia.

From waste to sustainable materials management: Three case studies of the transition journey.

Waste policy is increasingly moving on from the 'prevention of waste' to a 'sustainable materials policy' focused agenda recognising individual wastes as a resource. In order to comparatively analyse policy developments in enhanced waste management, three case studies were selected; San Francisco's Zero Waste Program, Flanders's Sustainable Materials Management Initiative and Japan's Sound Material-Cycle Society Plan. These case studies were chosen as an opportunity to investigate the variety of leading approaches, governance structures, and enhanced waste policy outcomes, emerging globally.

Evolution of a multi-step phosphorelay signal transduction system in Ensifer: recruitment of the sigma factor RpoN and a novel enhancer-binding protein triggers acid-activated gene expression.

Most Ensifer strains are comparatively acid sensitive, compromising their persistence in low pH soils. In the acid-tolerant strain Ensifer medicae WSM419, the acid-activated expression of lpiA is essential for enhancing survival in lethal acidic conditions. Here we characterise a multi-step phosphorelay signal transduction pathway consisting of TcsA, TcrA, FsrR, RpoN and its cognate enhancer-binding protein EbpA, which is required for the induction of lpiA and the downstream acvB gene.

The orientation of disaster donations: differences in the global response to five major earthquakes.

This study analyses the influence of gift giving, geographical location, political regime, and trade openness on disaster donation decisions, using five severe earthquakes that occurred between 2008 and 2012 as case studies. The results show that global disaster donation is not dominated by only philanthropy or trade interests, and that the determinants of donation decisions vary with the scale of the natural disaster and the characteristics of the disaster-affected countries. While gift giving exists in the case of middle-size earthquakes, political regimes play a very important part in the overall donation process.

Policy on global warming: fiddling while the globe burns?

Objective: To assess the extent that the health consequences of global warming and the responses to it take due account of its impact on poverty and inequality.

Method: Reviewing the relevant literature on global warming, proposed solutions and the impact.

Results: To date, too little attention has been paid to the health consequences arising from the increased poverty and inequality that global warming will bring.