We present the draft genome of the petroleum-degrading Thalassospira sp. strain HJ, isolated from tidal marine sediment. Knowledge of this genomic information will inform studies on electrogenesis and means to degrade environmental organic contaminants, including compounds found in petroleum.

We thank the World Bank for funding and Asli Demirguc-Kunt and participants at the World Bank conference on deposit insurance for their comments and suggestions. The views expressed are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect those of the World Bank, its Board of Directors, or the countries they represent.

The subject of government bank regulation is intimately intertwined with that of government deposit insurance. If the government is to insure bank deposits, it should also have some say in the risks that insured banks are allowed to take, otherwise it would leave itself wide open to unlimited potential losses. John H. Kareken (in this issue) comes close to arguing that banks without government ...

The improved cleanup of marine oil spills by stimulating biodegradation through the use of a slow-release fertilizer is reported. A paraffin-supported fertilizer containing MgNH4PO4 as active ingredient was developed and evaluated in laboratory and field experiments using quantitative infrared spectrometry and chromatographic techniques. The biodegradation of Sarir crude oil in the sea was cons...

Microbial populations' inhabitants in crude petroleum contaminated soils were analyzed in relation with the soil characteristics. A noticeable greater decline of bacterial counts and diversity but a prevalence of the genus Pseudomonas over the other identified genera in the fresh contaminated soils as compared to the old ones was observed.

This study tests for calendar anomalies in returns petroleum and products via the futures market, specifically, day-of-the-week (DOW) effect. The energy future contracts this are WTI (West Texas Intermediate), Brent, RBOB (Reformulated Blendstock Oxygenate Blending) Gasoline, Heating Oil, Natural Gas. Futures provide a more liquid insight into price movements relative to spot prices, where fina...