Population Genomics of the Maize Pathogen Ustilago maydis: Demographic History and Role of Virulence Clusters in Adaptation.

The tight interaction between pathogens and their hosts results in reciprocal selective forces that impact the genetic diversity of the interacting species. The footprints of this selection differ between pathosystems because of distinct life-history traits, demographic histories, or genome architectures. Here, we studied the genome-wide patterns of genetic diversity of 22 isolates of the causative agent of the corn smut disease, Ustilago maydis, originating from five locations in Mexico, the presumed center of origin of this species.

Droplet flow-assisted heterogeneous electro-Fenton reactor for degradation of beta-blockers: response surface optimization, and mechanism elucidation.

In this study, we report an effective degradation method for trace level beta-blockers (propranolol and acebutolol) in hospital wastewater using a new droplet flow-assisted heterogeneous electro-Fenton reactor (DFEF) system. Biogenic iron-carbon nanocomposites (RHS/C-x% Fe) as eco-friendly and low-cost heterogeneous Fenton catalysts were synthesized from rice husk via hydrolytic sol-gel routes. Here, we demonstrate the use of natural air as a nebulizing agent for fast and continuous catholyte air saturation and Fenton catalyst transfer to the cathode electrode.

Sol-gel based biogenic silica composite as green nanosorbent for chemometric optimization of micro-solid-phase extraction of beta blockers.

An environmentally friendly micro-solid phase extraction (μ-SPE) method utilizing a plant based nanocomposite as a sorbent for determination of trace level beta blockers (ß-blockers) in hospital wastewater prior to Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. μ-SPE extraction conditions were evaluated using a multivariate chemometric approach. Rice husk silica-carbon nanocomposite (5-20Wt.

Investigation of the carbon monoxide gas sensing characteristics of tin oxide mixed cerium oxide thin films.

Thin films of tin oxide mixed cerium oxide were grown on unheated substrates by physical vapor deposition. The films were annealed in air at 500 °C for two hours, and were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and optical spectrophotometry. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy results reveal that the films were highly porous and porosity of our films was found to be in the range of 11.

Scanning tunneling microscopy and surface simulation of zinc-blende GaN(001) intrinsic 4x reconstruction: linear gallium tetramers?

Scanning tunneling microscopy images confirm electron diffraction studies that the zinc-blende GaN(001)-4x reconstruction consists of rows aligned along [110] with a spacing along [110] of 4a. Dual-bias imaging shows a 180 degree shift of the corrugation maximum position between the profiles of empty and occupied states, in agreement with surface simulations based on the 4 x 1 linear tetramer model of Neugebauer et al. [Phys.