Gypsum endolithic phototrophs under moderate climate (Southern Sicily): their diversity and pigment composition

In this study, we used microscopic, spectroscopic, and molecular analysis to characterize endolithic colonization in gypsum (selenites and white crystalline gypsum) from several sites in Sicily. Our results showed that the dominant microorganisms in these environments are cyanobacteria, including: Chroococcidiopsis sp., Gloeocapsopsis pleurocapsoides, Gloeocapsa compacta, and Nostoc sp., as well as orange pigmented green microalgae from the Stephanospherinia clade. Single cell and filament sequencing coupled with 16S rRNA amplicon metagenomic profiling provided new insights into the phylogenetic and taxonomic diversity of the endolithic cyanobacteria. These organisms form differently pigmented zones within the gypsum. Our metagenomic profiling also showed differences in the taxonomic composition of endoliths in different gypsum varieties. Raman spectroscopy revealed that carotenoids were the most common pigments present in the samples. Other pigments such as gloeocapsin and scytonemin were also detected in the near-surface areas, suggesting that they play a significant role in the biology of endoliths in this environment. These pigments can be used as biomarkers for basic taxonomic identification, especially in case of cyanobacteria. The findings of this study provide new insights into the diversity and distribution of phototrophic microorganisms and their pigments in gypsum in Southern Sicily. Furthemore, this study highlights the complex nature of endolithic ecosystems and the effects of gypsum varieties on these communities, providing additional information on the general bioreceptivity of these environments.This project was supported by the Czech Science Foundation (Grant/Award No. 17-04270S and 21-03322S), Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic, National Programme of Sustainability I (Grant/Award No. LO1416), Charles University (Grant/Award Nos. UNCE/SCI/006 and UNCE 204069), ALGAMIC (Grant/Award No. CZ.1.05/2.1.00/19.0392). JM was supported by the Czech Science Foundation (GAČR) Project No. 22-06374S to accomplish phylogenetic and taxonomic analysis. JW was thankful for the financial support by the PGC2021-124362NB-I00 grant from MCI/AEI (Spain) and FEDER.Peer reviewe

UK higher education viewed through the marketization and marketing lenses

This paper uses the Economic Market mechanisms and the 4P Marketing Mix as lenses to review the context of UK higher education (HE) and to explore the relationship between the market and marketing disciplines and practice. Four Economic Market mechanisms – autonomy, competition, price and information – are contrasted with the four Ps of marketing: product, price, place and promotion. This paper demonstrates how market forces influence HE institutions and, in contrast, how HE institutions shape the environment via marketing practice. Knowing how one discipline relates to another is crucial for those who strive to understand the context of HE

Tolerance of pennate diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) to experimental freezing : comparison of polar and temperate strains

Although polar regions are characterised by extreme environment conditions with overall low temperatures and often pronounced diurnal to seasonal temperature fluctuations, diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) thrive in a wide range of nonmarine polar habitats, suggesting that they are well adapted to these harsh conditions. In this study, tolerance to freezing of vegetative and resting cells of 17 polar and nine temperate diatom strains, belonging to different morphospecies and originating from both freshwater and terrestrial habitats, was experimentally tested. Most strains were newly isolated from sites in Maritime Antarctica (James Ross Island and Vega Island), the High Arctic (Spitsbergen) and Europe. Cultures were exposed to five freezing treatments differing in temperature (-4, -20, -40 and -180 degrees C), freezing rate (gradual, abrupt), time (1 h, 12 h) and thawing rate (slow, fast). Results indicated that diatoms were sensitive to experimental freezing. Freezing temperatures had a significant effect on strain survival: all strains survived -4 degrees C; most survived -20 degrees C; five survived -40 and four of these (all belonging to the Pinnularia borealis complex) survived freezing in liquid nitrogen (-180 degrees C). The cooling and thawing rate had a significant impact on survival: abrupt cooling and slow thawing resulted in much lower survival rates than gradual cooling and fast thawing. Resting cells showed better growth than vegetative cells after freezing treatment but only in the -4 degrees C treatment. Surprisingly, no striking differences in growth recovery were observed between polar and temperate strains