Fusarium: more than a node or a foot-shaped basal cell.

Recent publications have argued that there are potentially serious consequences for researchers in recognising distinct genera in the terminal fusarioid clade of the family Nectriaceae. Thus, an alternate hypothesis, namely a very broad concept of the genus Fusarium was proposed. In doing so, however, a significant body of data that supports distinct genera in Nectriaceae based on morphology, biology, and phylogeny is disregarded. A DNA phylogeny based on 19 orthologous protein-coding genes was presented to support a very broad concept of Fusarium at the F1 node in Nectriaceae. Here, we demonstrate that re-analyses of this dataset show that all 19 genes support the F3 node that represents Fusarium sensu stricto as defined by F. sambucinum (sexual morph synonym Gibberella pulicaris). The backbone of the phylogeny is resolved by the concatenated alignment, but only six of the 19 genes fully support the F1 node, representing the broad circumscription of Fusarium. Furthermore, a re-analysis of the concatenated dataset revealed alternate topologies in different phylogenetic algorithms, highlighting the deep divergence and unresolved placement of various Nectriaceae lineages proposed as members of Fusarium. Species of Fusarium s. str. are characterised by Gibberella sexual morphs, asexual morphs with thin- or thick-walled macroconidia that have variously shaped apical and basal cells, and trichothecene mycotoxin production, which separates them from other fusarioid genera. Here we show that the Wollenweber concept of Fusarium presently accounts for 20 segregate genera with clear-cut synapomorphic traits, and that fusarioid macroconidia represent a character that has been gained or lost multiple times throughout Nectriaceae. Thus, the very broad circumscription of Fusarium is blurry and without apparent synapomorphies, and does not include all genera with fusarium-like macroconidia, which are spread throughout Nectriaceae (e.g., Cosmosporella, Macroconia, Microcera). In this study four new genera are introduced, along with 18 new species and 16 new combinations. These names convey information about relationships, morphology, and ecological preference that would otherwise be lost in a broader definition of Fusarium. To assist users to correctly identify fusarioid genera and species, we introduce a new online identification database, Fusarioid-ID, accessible at www.fusarium.org. The database comprises partial sequences from multiple genes commonly used to identify fusarioid taxa (act1, CaM, his3, rpb1, rpb2, tef1, tub2, ITS, and LSU). In this paper, we also present a nomenclator of names that have been introduced in Fusarium up to January 2021 as well as their current status, types, and diagnostic DNA barcode data. In this study, researchers from 46 countries, representing taxonomists, plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, and students, strongly support the application and use of a more precisely delimited Fusarium (= Gibberella) concept to accommodate taxa from the robust monophyletic node F3 on the basis of a well-defined and unique combination of morphological and biochemical features. This F3 node includes, among others, species of the F. fujikuroi, F. incarnatum-equiseti, F. oxysporum, and F. sambucinum species complexes, but not species of Bisifusarium [F. dimerum species complex (SC)], Cyanonectria (F. buxicola SC), Geejayessia (F. staphyleae SC), Neocosmospora (F. solani SC) or Rectifusarium (F. ventricosum SC). The present study represents the first step to generating a new online monograph of Fusarium and allied fusarioid genera (www.fusarium.org).

Autonomous model protocell division driven by molecular replication.

The coupling of compartmentalisation with molecular replication is thought to be crucial for the emergence of the first evolvable chemical systems. Minimal artificial replicators have been designed based on molecular recognition, inspired by the template copying of DNA, but none yet have been coupled to compartmentalisation. Here, we present an oil-in-water droplet system comprising an amphiphilic imine dissolved in chloroform that catalyses its own formation by bringing together a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic precursor, which leads to repeated droplet division. We demonstrate that the presence of the amphiphilic replicator, by lowering the interfacial tension between droplets of the reaction mixture and the aqueous phase, causes them to divide. Periodic sampling by a droplet-robot demonstrates that the extent of fission is increased as the reaction progresses, producing more compartments with increased self-replication. This bridges a divide, showing how replication at the molecular level can be used to drive macroscale droplet fission.Coupling compartmentalisation and molecular replication is essential for the development of evolving chemical systems. Here the authors show an oil-in-water droplet containing a self-replicating amphiphilic imine that can undergo repeated droplet division.

Thermodynamic and Kinetic Fragility of Freon 113: The Most Fragile Plastic Crystal.

We present a dynamic and thermodynamic study of the orientational glass former Freon 113 (1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, CCl_{2}F-CClF_{2}) in order to analyze its kinetic and thermodynamic fragilities. Freon 113 displays internal molecular degrees of freedom that promote a complex energy landscape. Experimental specific heat and its microscopic origin, the vibrational density of states from inelastic neutron scattering, together with the orientational dynamics obtained by means of dielectric spectroscopy have revealed the highest fragility value, both thermodynamic and kinetic, found for this orientational glass former. The excess in both Debye-reduced specific heat and density of states (boson peak) evidences the existence of glassy low-energy excitations. We demonstrate that early proposed correlations between the boson peak and the Debye specific heat value are elusive as revealed by the clear counterexample of the studied case.

Chamber bioaerosol study: human emissions of size-resolved fluorescent biological aerosol particles.

Humans are a prominent source of airborne biological particles in occupied indoor spaces, but few studies have quantified human bioaerosol emissions. The chamber investigation reported here employs a fluorescence-based technique to evaluate bioaerosols with high temporal and particle size resolution. In a 75-m(3) chamber, occupant emission rates of coarse (2.5-10 µm) fluorescent biological aerosol particles (FBAPs) under seated, simulated office-work conditions averaged 0.9 ± 0.3 million particles per person-h. Walking was associated with a 5-6× increase in the emission rate. During both walking and sitting, 60-70% or more of emissions originated from the floor. The increase in emissions during walking (vs. while sitting) was mainly attributable to release of particles from the floor; the associated increased vigor of upper body movements also contributed. Clothing, or its frictional interaction with human skin, was demonstrated to be a source of coarse particles, and especially of the highly fluorescent fraction. Emission rates of FBAPs previously reported for lecture classes were well bounded by the experimental results obtained in this chamber study. In both settings, the size distribution of occupant FBAP emissions had a dominant mode in the 3-5 µm diameter range.

Glassy Dynamics versus Thermodynamics: The Case of 2-Adamantanone.

The heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the monoclinic and the fully ordered orthorhombic phases of 2-adamantanone (C10H14O) have been measured for temperatures between 2 and 150 K. The heat capacities for both phases are shown to be strikingly close regardless of the site disorder present in the monoclinic crystal which arises from the occupancy of three nonequivalent sites for the oxygen atom. The heat capacity curves are also well accounted for by an evaluation carried out within the harmonic approximation in terms of the g(ω) vibrational frequency distributions measured by means of inelastic neutron scattering. Such spectral functions show however a significant excess of low frequency modes for the crystal showing statistical disorder. In contrast, large differences are found for the thermal conductivity which contrary to what could be expected, shows the substitutionally disordered crystal to exhibit better heat transport properties than the fully ordered orthorhombic phase. Such an anomalous behavior is understood from examination of the crystalline structure of the orthorhombic phase which leads to very strong scattering of heat-carrying phonons due to grain boundary effects able to yield a largely reduced value of the conductivity as well as to a plateau-like feature at intermediate temperatures which contrasts with a bell-shaped maximum shown by data pertaining the disordered crystal. The relevance of the present findings within the context of glassy dynamics of the orientational glass state is finally discussed.

Muon spin relaxation study on itinerant ferromagnet CeCrGe3 and the effect of Ti substitution on magnetism of CeCrGe3.

A Muon spin relaxation (µSR) study has been performed on the Kondo lattice heavy fermion itinerant ferromagnet CeCrGe3. Recent investigations of bulk properties have revealed a long-range ordering of Cr moments at Tc = 70 K in this compound. Our µSR investigation between 1.2 K and 125 K confirm the bulk magnetic order which is marked by a loss in initial asymmetry below 70 K accompanied with a sharp increase in the muon depolarization rate. Field dependent µSR spectra show that the internal field at the muon site is higher than 0.25 T apparently due to the ferromagnetic nature of ordering. The effect of Ti substitution on the magnetism in CeCrGe3 is presented. A systematic study has been made on polycrystalline CeCr(1-x)Ti(x)Ge3 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) using magnetic susceptibility χ(T), isothermal magnetization M(H), specific heat C(T) and electrical resistivity ρ(T) measurements which clearly reveal that the substitution of Ti for Cr in CeCrGe3 strongly influences the exchange interaction and ferromagnetic ordering of Cr moments. The Cr moment ordering temperature is suppressed gradually with increasing Ti concentration up to x = 0.50 showing Tc = 7 K beyond which Ce moment ordering starts to dominate and a crossover between Cr and Ce moment ordering is observed with a Ce moment ordering Tc = 14 K for x = 1.0. The Kondo lattice behavior is evident from temperature dependence of ρ(T) in all CeCr(1-x)Ti(x)Ge3 samples.

Calculating electron momentum densities and Compton profiles using the linear tetrahedron method.

A method for computing electron momentum densities and Compton profiles from ab initio calculations is presented. Reciprocal space is divided into optimally-shaped tetrahedra for interpolation, and the linear tetrahedron method is used to obtain the momentum density and its projections such as Compton profiles. Results are presented and evaluated against experimental data for Be, Cu, Ni, Fe3Pt, and YBa2Cu4O8, demonstrating the accuracy of our method in a wide variety of crystal structures.

Metatranscriptomic analysis of ectomycorrhizal roots reveals genes associated with Piloderma-Pinus symbiosis: improved methodologies for assessing gene expression in situ.

Ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi form symbiotic associations with plant roots that regulate nutrient exchange between forest plants and soil. Environmental metagenomics approaches that employ next-generation sequencing show great promise for studying EM symbioses; however, metatranscriptomic studies have been constrained by the inherent difficulties associated with isolation and sequencing of RNA from mycorrhizae. Here we apply an optimized method for combined DNA/RNA extraction using field-collected EM fungal-pine root clusters, together with protocols for taxonomic identification of expressed ribosomal RNA, and inference of EM function based on plant and fungal metatranscriptomics. We used transcribed portions of ribosomal RNA genes to identify several transcriptionally dominant fungal taxa associated with loblolly pine including Amphinema, Russula and Piloderma spp. One taxon, Piloderma croceum, has a publically available genome that allowed us to identify patterns of gene content and transcript abundance. Over 1500 abundantly expressed Piloderma genes were detected from mycorrhizal roots, including genes for protein metabolism, cell signalling, electron transport, terpene synthesis and other extracellular activities. In contrast, Piloderma gene encoding an ammonia transporter showed highest transcript abundance in soil samples. Our methodology highlights the potential of metatranscriptomics to identify genes associated with symbiosis and ecosystem function using field-collected samples.

Investigations of the singlet ground state system: PrIrSi3.

We report our comprehensive study of physical properties of a ternary intermetallic compound PrIrSi3 investigated by dc magnetic susceptibility χ(T), isothermal magnetization M(H), thermo-remnant magnetization M(t), ac magnetic susceptibility χac(T), specific heat Cp(T), electrical resistivity ρ(T), muon spin relaxation (µSR) and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) measurements. A magnetic phase transition is marked by a sharp anomaly at Ttr = 12.2 K in χ(T) measured at low applied fields which is also reflected in the Cp(T) data through a weak anomaly at 12 K. An irreversibility between the zero field cooled and field cooled χ(T) data below 12.2 K and a very large relaxation time of M(t) indicates the presence of ferromagnetic correlation. The magnetic part of specific heat shows a broad Schottky-type anomaly near 40 K due to the crystal electric field (CEF) effect. An extremely small value of magnetic entropy below 12 K suggests a CEF-split singlet ground state which is confirmed from our analysis of INS data. The INS spectra show two prominent inelastic excitations at 8.5 meV and 18.5 meV that could be well accounted by a CEF model. The CEF splitting energy between the ground state singlet and the first excited doublet is found to be 92 K. Our µSR data reveal a possible magnetic ordering below 30 K, which is much higher than that found from the specific heat and magnetic susceptibility measurements. This could be due to the presence of short range correlations well above the long range magnetic ordering or due to the electronic changes induced by muons. The induced moment magnetism in the singlet ground state system PrIrSi3 with such a large splitting energy of 92 K is quite surprising.

Measurement of magnetic exchange in ferromagnet-superconductor La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/YBa2Cu3O7 bilayers.

The existence of coherent magnetic correlations in the normal phase of cuprate high-temperature superconductors has proven difficult to measure directly. Here we report on a study of ferromagnetic-superconductor bilayers of La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/YBa2Cu3O7 (LCMO/YBCO) with varying YBCO layer thicknesses. Using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, we demonstrate that the ferromagnetic layer induces a Cu magnetic moment in the adjacent high-temperature superconductor. For thin samples, this moment exists at all temperatures below the Curie temperature of the LCMO layer. However, for a YBCO layer thicker than 12 unit cells, the Cu moment is suppressed for temperatures above the superconducting transition, suggesting this to be a direct measurement of magnetic coherence in the normal state of a superconducting oxide.

From incommensurate correlations to mesoscopic spin resonance in YbRh2Si2.

Spin fluctuations are reported near the magnetic field-driven quantum critical point in YbRh(2)Si(2). On cooling, ferromagnetic fluctuations evolve into incommensurate correlations located at q(0) = ±(δ,δ), with δ = 0.14 ± 0.04 r.l.u. At low temperatures, an in-plane magnetic field induces a sharp intradoublet resonant excitation at an energy E(0) = gµ(B)µ(0)H with g = 3.8 ± 0.2. The intensity is localized at the zone center, indicating precession of spin density extending ξ = 6 ± 2 Å beyond the 4f site.

Vibron quasibound state in the noncentrosymmetric tetragonal heavy-fermion compound CeCuAl3.

We have investigated the noncentrosymmetric tetragonal heavy-fermion antiferromagnetic compound CeCuAl3 (T(N)=2.5 K) using inelastic neutron scattering (INS). Our INS results unequivocally reveal the presence of three magnetic excitations centered at 1.3, 9.8, and 20.5 meV. These spectral features cannot be explained within the framework of crystal-electric-field models and recourse to Kramers' theorem for a 4f(1) Ce(3+) ion. To overcome these interpretational difficulties, we have generalized the vibron model of Thalmeier and Fulde for cubic CeAl(2) to tetragonal point-group symmetry with the theoretically calculated vibron form-factor. This extension provides a satisfactory explanation for the position and intensity of the three observed magnetic excitations in CeCuAl3, as well as their dependence on momentum transfer and temperature. On the basis of our analysis, we attribute the observed series of magnetic excitations to the existence of a vibron quasibound state.

Spin and orbital Ti magnetism at LaMnO3/SrTiO3 interfaces.

In systems with strong electron-lattice coupling, such as manganites, orbital degeneracy is lifted, causing a null expectation value of the orbital magnetic moment. Magnetic structure is thus determined by spin-spin superexchange. In titanates, however, with much smaller Jahn-Teller distortions, orbital degeneracy might allow non-zero values of the orbital magnetic moment, and novel forms of ferromagnetic superexchange interaction unique to t(2g) electron systems have been theoretically predicted, although their experimental observation has remained elusive. In this paper, we report a new kind of Ti(3+) ferromagnetism at LaMnO(3)/SrTiO(3) epitaxial interfaces. It results from charge transfer to the empty conduction band of the titanate and has spin and orbital contributions evidencing the role of orbital degeneracy. The possibility of tuning magnetic alignment (ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic) of Ti and Mn moments by structural parameters is demonstrated. This result will provide important clues for understanding the effects of orbital degeneracy in superexchange coupling.

Reinforced postmating reproductive isolation barriers in Neurospora, an Ascomycete microfungus.

Maladaptive hybridization promotes reinforcement, selection for stringent reproductive isolation barriers during speciation. Reinforcement is suspected when barriers between sympatric populations are stronger than allopatric barriers, and particularly when stronger barriers evolve in the species and sex suffering the greatest costs of hybridization. Canonically, reinforcement involves premating barriers. Selection for postmating barriers is controversial, but theoretically possible. We examined geographical patterns in reproductive isolation barriers between Neurospora crassa and Neurospora intermedia, fungi with pheromone-mediated mate recognition and maternal care. We find that isolation is stronger between sympatric populations than allopatric populations, and stronger barriers are associated with the species (N. crassa) and mating role (maternal) suffering the greater costs of hybridization. Notably, reinforced isolation involves a postmating barrier, abortion of fruitbodies. We hypothesize that fruitbody abortion is selectively advantageous if it increases the likelihood that maternal Neurospora individuals successfully mate conspecifically after maladaptive hybrid fertilization.

One-dimensional magnetic fluctuations in the spin-2 triangular lattice alpha-NaMnO2.

The S=2 anisotropic triangular lattice alpha-NaMnO2 is studied by neutron inelastic scattering. Antiferromagnetic order occurs at T< or =45 K with opening of a spin gap. The spectral weight of the magnetic dynamics above the gap (Delta approximately equal to 7.5 meV) has been analyzed by the single-mode approximation. Excellent agreement with the experiment is achieved when a dominant exchange interaction (|J|/k(B) approximately 73 K), along the monoclinic b axis and a sizable easy-axis magnetic anisotropy (|D|/k(B) approximately 3 K) are considered. Despite earlier suggestions for two-dimensional spin interactions, the dynamics illustrate strongly coupled antiferromagnetic S=2 chains and cancellation of the interchain exchange due to the lattice topology. alpha-NaMnO2 therefore represents a model system where the geometric frustration is resolved through the lowering of the dimensionality of the spin interactions.

Spin-lozenge thermodynamics and magnetic excitations in Na(3)RuO(4).

We report inelastic and elastic neutron scattering, magnetic susceptibility, and heat capacity measurements for polycrystalline sodium ruthenate (Na(3)RuO(4)). Previous work suggests that this material consists of isolated tetramers of S = 3/2  Ru(5+) ions in a so-called lozenge configuration. Comparisons of magnetic susceptibility and inelastic and elastic neutron scattering results with analytic calculations for several cluster models show that although there may be significant spin-spin correlations within the lozenge cluster, a simple isolated lozenge model is not appropriate for Na(3)RuO(4).

Bulk spin polarization of Co(1-x)Fe(x)S2.

We report on a new method to determine the degree of bulk spin polarization in single crystal Co(1-x)Fe(x)S2 by modeling magnetic Compton scattering with ab initio calculations. Spin-dependent Compton profiles were measured for CoS2 and Co0.9Fe0.1S2. The ab initio calculations were then refined by rigidly shifting the bands to provide the best fit between the calculated and experimental directional profiles for each sample. The bulk spin polarizations, P, corresponding to the spin-polarized density of states at the Fermi level, were then extracted from the refined calculations. The values were found to be P=-72+/-6% and P=18+/-7% for CoS2 and Co0.9Fe0.1S2, respectively. Furthermore, determinations of P weighted by the Fermi velocity (v(F) or v(F)2) were obtained, permitting a rigorous comparison with other experimental data and highlighting the experimental dependence of P on v(F).

Bose-Einstein condensation in solid 4He.

We present neutron scattering measurements of the atomic momentum distribution n(k) in solid helium under a pressure p=41 bar (molar volume Vm=20.01+/-0.02 cm3/mol) and at temperatures between 80 and 500 mK. The aim is to determine whether there is Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) below the critical temperature, Tc=200 mK, where a superfluid density has been observed. Assuming BEC appears as a macroscopic occupation of the k=0 state below Tc, we find a condensate fraction of n0=(-0.10+/-1.20)% at T=80 mK and n0=(0.08+/-0.78)% at T=120 mK, consistent with zero. The shape of n(k) also does not change on crossing Tc within measurement precision.

Correlated atomic motions in liquid deuterium fluoride studied by coherent quasielastic neutron scattering.

The collective dynamics of liquid deuterium fluoride are studied by means of high-resolution quasielastic and inelastic neutron scattering over a range of four decades in energy transfer. The spectra show a low-energy coherent quasielastic component which arises from correlated stochastic motions as well as a broad inelastic feature originating from overdamped density oscillations. While these results are at variance with previous works which report on the presence of propagating collective modes, they are fully consistent with neutron diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared/Raman experiments on this prototypical hydrogen-bonded fluid.