The Gospel of Truth: Christology, Deification and the Kingdom of God

The 'Gospel of Truth', rediscovered in 1945 as part of the Nag Hammadi Codices after being hidden in the fourth century, has been extensively studied by scholars in order to ascertain its genre, purpose and place in theological literature. It is agreed by most scholars that it is a Valentinian text and thus adheres to the beliefs of this heterodox early Christian sect, either in an early or advanced form. In contradistinction to this view, it is the position of the present dissertation that the 'Gospel of Truth' is best interpreted according to proto-orthodox Christian presuppositions as they relate to the eschatological Kingdom of God and the concomitant deification of Christians. In particular, it is argued that the gnosis of the Father made available through the metaphorical 'Book of the Living' published by Christ on the cross is designed to bring about the transformation of both Christians and the world

Mechanisms of Thermal Adaptation Revealed From the Genomes of the Antarctic Archaea Methanogenium frigidum and Methanococcoides burtonii

We generated draft genome sequences for two cold-adapted Archaea, Methanogenium frigidum and Methanococcoides burtonii, to identify genotypic characteristics that distinguish them from Archaea with a higher optimal growth temperature (OGT). Comparative genomics revealed trends in amino acid and tRNA composition, and structural features of proteins. Proteins from the cold-adapted Archaea are characterized by a higher content of noncharged polar amino acids, particularly Gin and Thr and a lower content of hydrophobic amino acids, particularly Leu. Sequence data from nine methanogen genomes (OGT 15degrees-98degreesC) were used to generate IIII modeled protein structures. Analysis of the models from the cold-adapted Archaea showed a strong tendency in the solvent-accessible area for more Gin, Thr, and hydrophobic residues and fewer charged residues. A cold shock domain (CSD) protein (CspA homolog) was identified in M. frigidum, two hypothetical proteins with CSD-folds in M. burtonii, and a unique winged helix DNA-binding domain protein in M. burtonii. This suggests that these types of nucleic acid binding proteins have a critical role in cold-adapted Archaea. Structural analysis of tRNA sequences from the Archaea indicated that GC content is the major factor influencing tRNA stability in hyperthermophiles, but not in the psychrophiles, mesophiles or moderate thermophiles. Below an OGT of 60degreesC, the GC content in tRNA was largely unchanged, indicating that any requirement for flexibility of tRNA in psychrophiles is mediated by other means. This is the first time that comparisons have been performed with genome data from Archaea spanning the growth temperature extremes. from psychrophiles to hyperthermophile

Novel Insights into the Diversity of Catabolic Metabolism from Ten Haloarchaeal Genomes

BACKGROUND: The extremely halophilic archaea are present worldwide in saline environments and have important biotechnological applications. Ten complete genomes of haloarchaea are now available, providing an opportunity for comparative analysis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We report here the comparative analysis of five newly sequenced haloarchaeal genomes with five previously published ones. Whole genome trees based on protein sequences provide strong support for deep relationships between the ten organisms. Using a soft clustering approach, we identified 887 protein clusters present in all halophiles. Of these core clusters, 112 are not found in any other archaea and therefore constitute the haloarchaeal signature. Four of the halophiles were isolated from water, and four were isolated from soil or sediment. Although there are few habitat-specific clusters, the soil/sediment halophiles tend to have greater capacity for polysaccharide degradation, siderophore synthesis, and cell wall modification. Halorhabdus utahensis and Haloterrigena turkmenica encode over forty glycosyl hydrolases each, and may be capable of breaking down naturally occurring complex carbohydrates. H. utahensis is specialized for growth on carbohydrates and has few amino acid degradation pathways. It uses the non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway instead of the oxidative pathway, giving it more flexibility in the metabolism of pentoses. CONCLUSIONS: These new genomes expand our understanding of haloarchaeal catabolic pathways, providing a basis for further experimental analysis, especially with regard to carbohydrate metabolism. Halophilic glycosyl hydrolases for use in biofuel production are more likely to be found in halophiles isolated from soil or sediment

"Von der Gelehrtenrepublik zum Dienstleistungsunternehmen" - Ausschnitt aus einer Deutungsmusteranalyse zur Erschließung kollektiver Bewußtseinslagen bei Protagonisten der gegenwärtigen Universitätsreform

Münte P, Franzmann A. "Von der Gelehrtenrepublik zum Dienstleistungsunternehmen" - Ausschnitt aus einer Deutungsmusteranalyse zur Erschließung kollektiver Bewußtseinslagen bei Protagonisten der gegenwärtigen Universitätsreform. In: Franzmann A, Wolbrink B, eds. Zwischen Idee und Zweckorientierung: Vorbilder und Motive von Hochschulreformen seit 1945. Wissenskultur und gesellschaftlicher Wandel. Vol 21. Berlin: Akademie Verlag; 2007: 215-229

The formation of malodorous dimethyl oligosulphides in treated groundwater: the role of biofilms and potential precursors.

Water distributed from the Wanneroo Groundwater Treatment Plant intermittently containsdimethyl trisulphide (DMTS). The compound is responsible for a "swampy odour" in the water. DMTS production from potential precursors was insignificant in the absence of biofilms when compared with DMTS production from precursors in the presence of biofilms in a biofilm reactor. Greatest dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) and DMTS production (> 3000 ng L-1 DMTS) occurred in the reactors when supplied with methane thio-containing compounds, such as methionine, S-methyl cysteine andmethyl-3-(methylmercapto)-propionate. Abiotic DMTS production from oligosulphides also occurredthrough the addition of the methylating agents, methyl iodide or methyl-p-toluene sulphonate. Significant DMTS production also occurred with Wanneroo water that contained added w-thio-containing compounds such as cysteine (1400 ngL-1 DMTS), and 3-mercapto propionate (210 ngL-1). Biomethylation, a ubiquitous response by microorganisms for the detoxification of toxic compounds, generated DMDS/TS from biofilm oligosulphides. Biofilms exposed to the toxic compounds selenate or 2,4,6- trichlorophenol methylated oligosulphides in addition to the toxins. Sodium sulphide also stimulated DMTS production. Easily Biodegradable Dissolved Organic Carbon (BDOC) probably contributed indirectly to DMTS production by the biofilms, although whether this was a result of its stimulation of greater microbial activity or consumption of oxygen, or both, remains unresolved. Stagnation of water in the biofilm reactors also increased DMTS production, which was concomitant with depletion of oxygen concentrations in the bulk water. Many processes, such as degradation of methane thio-containing compounds, methylation of sulphides and oligosulphides, and changes in contributions of different metabolic pathways upon depletion of oxygen concentrations upon water stagnation, probably contribute simultaneously to "swampy odour" production in the distribution system

Universalized third parties. The role of ‘scienticized’ observers in the construction of global competition between nation-states

Werron T. Universalized third parties. The role of ‘scienticized’ observers in the construction of global competition between nation-states. In: Jansen A, Franzmann A, Münte P, eds. Legitimizing Science. National and Global Publics (1800-2010). Frankfurt a.M.; New York: Campus; 2015: 307-326

Thieme Chemistry Journals Awardees – Where Are They Now? Molybdenum(V)-Mediated Synthesis of Nonsymmetric Diaryl and Aryl Alkyl Chalcogenides

Oxidative chalcogenation reaction using molybdenum(V) reagents provides fast access to a wide range of nonsymmetric aryl sulfides and selenides. The established protocol is tolerated by a variety of labile functions, protecting groups, and aromatic heterocycles. In particular, when labile moieties are present, the use of molybdenum(V) reagents provides superior yields compared to other oxidants

Tab. 3: Concentrations of selected chemical species at various depths in Ace Lake

This article reviews the history, chemical stratification, biology and biogeochemistry of Ace Lake, which is one of the many marine-derived meromictic (permanently stratified) lakes in the Vestfold Hills, Eastern Antarctica. The lake has an area of 18 ha, a maximum depth of 25 m, and a salinity range from 7 to 43 g l**-1. The lake mixes to a depth of 7 m in late winter as a result of brine freeze out during ice formation. Deeper mixing is precluded by a sharp halocline. The water beneath 12 m is permanently anoxic, The lake was formed approximately 10,800 yr BP as the polar ice cap melted. Sea level rise 7,800 yr BP resulted in invasion of seawater into the initially freshwater lake. Subsequently, sea level dropped, and the now saline lake became isolated from the ocean. The biota of the lake was derived from species trapped when the connection between the lake and the ocean was cut off. The oxic zone above 12 m supports a relatively simple community which includes microbial mats, four major species of phytoplankton (including a picocyanobacterium), two copepod species, and a variety of heterotrophic flagellates and ciliates. The anoxic zone contains populations of photosynthetic sulfur, sulfate reducing, fermentative and methanogenic bacteria, which combine to remineralise organic carbon which sediments from the upper waters. Research on the physics, biology and chemistry of Ace Lake has contributed significantly to knowledge of Antarctic meromictic lakes