Wolbachia-bacteriophage WO is a good model system for studying interactions between bacteria and viruses. Previous surveys of insect hosts have been conducted via sampling from open or semi-open communities; however, no studies have reported the infection patterns of phage WO of insects living in a closed community. Figs and fig wasps form a peculiar closed community in which the Ficus tree pro...

Multiple emulsions are also known as emulsions of emulsions, liquid membrane system or double emulsion. These have been proposed to have numerous uses including their use for enhancement of bioavailability or as a prolonged drug delivery system. Multiple emulsions are often stabilized using a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfactants. The ratio of these surfactants is important in ...

Light hydrocarbons in water emulsions are formed in many gas refinery wastewaters, and its stability depends on some parameters such as temperature, pH and salinity. In this study, different surfactants have been used to prepare gas condensates in water emulsion along with four surfactant kinds namely, Span 80, Tween 80, CTAB, SDS and Span 80 and Tween 80 mixture. For this purpose,...

A tungsten trioxide (WO₃) nanoplate array is fabricated directly on the FTO/glass substrate and used as a platinum (Pt) nanoscale supporter for a highly efficient and low Pt-consumption counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). A Pt/WO₃ composite structure, with Pt nanoparticles having a diameter of 2-3 nm, increases the electrochemical catalytic activity in catalyzing the re...

Tungsten trioxide (WO₃) nanorods are synthesized on the surface of graphene (GR) sheets by using a one-step in-situ hydrothermal method employing sodium tungstate (Na₂WO₄·2H₂O) and graphene oxide (GO) as precursors. The resulting WO₃/GR nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectro...

Multiple phase emulsions are increasingly used as alternatives to simple emulsions in personal care products. One of the major advantages of these emulsions over simple emulsions is slow and controlled release of their ingredients. Other favorite cosmetic characteristics of multiple emulsions include occlusivity (in O/W/O emulsions), esthetics and consumer acceptance. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) ...

Tungsten oxide (WO₃) is prepared by a low-temperature ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method in air atmosphere, and it is used as an anode buffer layer (ABL) for organic solar cells (OSCs). The properties of the WO₃ transition metal oxide material as well as the mechanism of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis processes are investigated. The results show that the ultrasonic spray pyrolysized WO₃ ABL exhibits...

In recent years, it has become increasingly fashionable to attribute a myriad 0f our economic and social difficulties to excessive government regulation. If we are to believe the rhetoric, government regulation is partly or largely to blame for soaring inflation, lagging growth in GNP, declining productivity growth, the decline in the value of the dollar, and even general reductions in the anim...

A traditional semiconductor (WO₃) was synthesized from different precursors via hydrothermal crystallization targeting the achievement of three different crystal shapes (nanoplates, nanorods and nanostars). The obtained WO₃ microcrystals were analyzed by the means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). These methods contributed...