This article is devoted to contemporary return migrations by Kazakhs – a process of great significance for the population and cultural policies of the government of independent Kazakhstan. I examine ...the repatriation process of the Kazakh population from the point of view of the cultural transformations of Kazakh society itself, unveiling the intended and unintended effects of these return migrations. The case of the Kazakh returns is a historically unique phenomenon, yet it provides data permitting the formulation of broader generalisations. It illustrates the dual impact of culturally different environments, which leads to a simultaneous preserving and changing of the culture of the new immigrants. The analyses found in this article are based upon data collected during two periods of fieldwork conducted in June–July 2016 and March 2018 at several locations in Kazakhstan and in cooperation with a Kazakh university. The research methodology is anchored in multi-sited, multi-year fieldwork.
MicroRNAs are small, noncoding RNA molecules that regulate the expression of their target genes. The MIR444 gene family is present exclusively in monocotyledons, and microRNAs444 from this family ...have been shown to target certain MADS‐box transcription factors in rice and barley. We identified three barley MIR444 (MIR444a/b/c) genes and comprehensively characterised their structure and the processing pattern of the primary transcripts (pri‐miRNAs444). Pri‐microRNAs444 undergo extensive alternative splicing, generating functional and nonfunctional pri‐miRNA444 isoforms. We show that barley pri‐miRNAs444 contain numerous open reading frames (ORFs) whose transcripts associate with ribosomes. Using specific antibodies, we provide evidence that selected ORFs encoding PEP444a within MIR444a and PEP444c within MIR444c are expressed in barley plants. Moreover, we demonstrate that CRISPR‐associated endonuclease 9 (Cas9)‐mediated mutagenesis of the PEP444c‐encoding sequence results in a decreased level of PEP444 transcript in barley shoots and roots and a 5‐fold reduced level of mature microRNA444c in roots. Our observations suggest that PEP444c encoded by the MIR444c gene is involved in microRNA444c biogenesis in barley.
Phytophthora species are oomycetes that have evolved a broad spectrum of biological processes and improved strategies to cope with host and environmental challenges. A growing body of evidence ...indicates that the high pathogen plasticity is based on epigenetic regulation of gene expression linked to Phytophthora's rapid adjustment to endogenous cues and various stresses. As 5mC DNA methylation has not yet been identified in Phytophthora, the reversible processes of acetylation/deacetylation of histone proteins seem to play a pivotal role in the epigenetic control of gene expression in oomycetes. To explore this issue, we review the structure, diversity, and phylogeny of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) in six plant‐damaging Phytophthora species: P. capsici, P. cinnamomi, P. infestans, P. parasitica, P. ramorum, and P. sojae. To further integrate and improve our understanding of the phylogenetic classification, evolutionary relationship, and functional characteristics, we supplement this review with a comprehensive view of HATs and HDACs using recent genome‐ and proteome‐level databases. Finally, the potential functional role of transcriptional reprogramming mediated by epigenetic changes during Phytophthora species saprophytic and parasitic phases under nitro‐oxidative stress is also briefly discussed.
This review provides insight into histone (de)acetylation in epigenetic regulation of Phytophthora pathobiology, including the structure, diversity, and phylogeny of HATs and HDACs in view of nitro‐oxidative conditions.
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•Graphitic carbon is a poor mimic of diesel particulate.•Disordered carbon in diesel particulate combusts more readily than graphite.•Diesel particulate is rich in 3- and 4-ring ...polyaromatic hydrocarbons.•Polyaromatic hydrocarbons are difficult to combust using an Ag–K catalyst.•Additional catalytic functionality is required to target the polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
The particulate produced by internal combustion engines has a complex composition that includes a large proportion of porous soot within which condensed and adsorbed organic molecules are trapped. However, many studies of the catalytic combustion of particulate are based on the assumption that commercially produced carbon can be used as a reliable mimic of engine soot. Here we show that soot removed from a diesel particulate filter is rich in the polyaromatic molecules that are the precursors of the solid particulate. Through a combination of solvent extraction and evolved gas analysis, we have been able to track the release and transformation of these molecules in the absence and presence of combustion catalysts. Our results reveal that, although the rate of combustion of the elemental carbon in diesel soot is higher than that of graphite, deep oxidation of the polyaromatic molecules is a more demanding reaction. An active and stable Ag–K catalyst lowers the combustion temperature for elemental carbon by >200°C, but has little effect on the condensed polyaromatic molecules. The addition of a secondary catalyst component, with aromatic-oxidation functionality is required to target these molecules. Although the combined catalyst would not enable a completely passive regeneration system for diesel passenger cars, it would improve the efficiency of existing active systems by reducing the amount of fuel-injection required for trap regeneration.
A mixed oxide support containing Ce, Zr, and Al was synthesized using a physical grinding method and applied in the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane using CO2 as the oxidant. The activity of the ...support was compared with that of fully formulated catalysts containing palladium. The Pd/CeZrAlO x material exhibited long-term stability and selectivity to propene (during continuous operation for 140 h), which is not normally associated with dehydrogenation catalysts. From temperature-programmed desorption of NH3 and CO2 it was found that the catalyst possessed both acidic and basic sites. In addition, temperature-programmed reduction showed that palladium promoted both the reduction and reoxidation of the support. When the role of CO2 was investigated in the absence of gas-phase oxidant, using a temporal analysis of products (TAP) reactor, it was found that CO2 dissociates over the reduced catalyst, leading to formation of CO and selective oxygen species. It is proposed that CO2 has the dual role of regenerating selective oxygen species and shifting the equilibrium for alkane dehydrogenation by consuming H2 through the reverse water-gas-shift reaction. These two mechanistic functions have previously been considered to be mutually exclusive.
This study focuses on a comparison of two sets of in-depth, face-to-face interviews among Romanians living in Poland about their perceptions of the country and society, and their migrant experiences. ...The interviews were conducted five years apart, using the same guide, but carried out by Polish interviewers in the first case, and by a Romanian interviewer in the second. Comparative analysis of the material gained in this process reveals that, despite similar content in interviewee responses, the standing of the interviewer was by no means neutral. Crucial for the volume, type, and nature of the collected data as well as for its interpretation is the interviewers identity. In this regard, the study draws on Michaels Herzfelds concept of cultural intimacy to explain the mutual reproduction of different levels of identity and to develop a framework for analyzing the interaction between the social scientists and their interlocutors.
Gold (Au) on ceria–zirconia is one of the most active catalysts for the low‐temperature water–gas shift reaction (LTS), a key stage of upgrading H2 reformate streams for fuel cells. However, this ...catalyst rapidly deactivates on‐stream and the deactivation mechanism remains unclear. Using stop–start scanning transmission electron microscopy to follow the exact same area of the sample at different stages of the LTS reaction, as well as complementary X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we observed the activation and deactivation of the catalyst at various stages. During the heating of the catalyst to reaction temperature, we observed the formation of small Au nanoparticles (NPs; 1–2 nm) from subnanometer Au species. These NPs were then seen to agglomerate further over 48 h on‐stream, and most rapidly in the first 5 h when the highest rate of deactivation was observed. These findings suggest that the primary deactivation process consists of the loss of active sites through the agglomeration and possible dewetting of Au NPs.
After the Gold Rush: Stop–start scanning transmission electron microscopy was used to track gold (Au) species formed during the low‐temperature water–gas shift reaction over Au/CeZrO4. Au nanoparticles formed during the heating of the catalyst to reaction temperature agglomerate under reaction conditions. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that catalyst deactivation is an outcome of particle agglomeration.
Circle dances are observed in various cultures and times. The paper indicates certain social, political and situational contexts of the phenomenon of communal circle dances in remote territories: ...Catalonia, Balcans, Sakha (Yakutia), Buriatya and USA. The author offers an interpretation of chosen cases in terms of Victor Turner’s concept of communitas. During the communal dances – sardana, corlu mari, yokhor, osuokhai and ghost dance – the idea of community, equality and unity is dominating over social structure divisions and resulting in forming the psychological and social communitas. This is why all analysed circle dances arise in the context of serious menace and destruction of ethnic integrity. Being together in a very literal sense through physical closeness during the same motoric behaviours, common singing produces feeling of power and unification, reinforcing social identity and affirmation to a group. Circle dances are analysed in association with attempts to preserve group cultural and often even biological integrity.
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