Evolutionary genomics of Culex pipiens: global and local adaptations associated with climate, life-history traits and anthropogenic factors.

We present the first genome-wide study of recent evolution in Culex pipiens species complex focusing on the genomic extent, functional targets and likely causes of global and local adaptations. We resequenced pooled samples of six populations of C. pipiens and two populations of the outgroup Culex torrentium.

Neutron diffraction study of the (BiFeO3)1-x(PbTiO3)x solid solution: nanostructured multiferroic system.

Neutron diffraction studies performed on the solid solution of (BiFeO(3))(1-x)(PbTiO(3))(x) reveal a mixture of two nanoscale phases with different crystal structures: a rhombohedral BiFeO(3)-based phase and a tetragonal PbTiO3-based phase. The ratio of Fe(3)+ and Ti(4)+ ions in the two phases is practically constant; only the proportion of the phases changes. The magnetic moments in the BiFeO(3)-based phase, in contrast to BiFeO(3), deviate from the basal plane.

The RimL transacetylase provides resistance to translation inhibitor microcin C.

Peptide-nucleotide antibiotic microcin C (McC) is produced by some Escherichia coli strains. Inside a sensitive cell, McC is processed, releasing a nonhydrolyzable analog of aspartyl-adenylate, which inhibits aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. The product of mccE, a gene from the plasmid-borne McC biosynthetic cluster, acetylates processed McC, converting it into a nontoxic compound.