On the existence and origin of sluggish diffusion in chemically disordered concentrated alloys

Concentrated single phase solid solutions, including medium- and high-entropy alloys, represent a new class of materials that have recently attracted significant interest due to exceptional functional and structural properties. Their fascinating properties are mainly attributed to the sluggish atomic-level diffusion and transport, but its controlling mechanisms are largely unknown and there is certain skepticism about its very existence. By using microsecond-scale molecular dynamics, on-the-fly and conventional kinetic Monte Carlo, we reveal the governing role of percolation effects and composition dependence of the vacancy migration energy in diffusion. Surprisingly, an increase of concentration of faster species (Fe) in face-centered cubic Ni-Fe alloy may decrease the overall atomic diffusion. Consequently, the composition dependence of tracer diffusion coefficient has a minimum near the site percolation threshold, ～20?at.%Fe. We argue that this coupled percolation and composition-dependent barriers for vacancy jumps within different subsystems in medium- and high-entropy alloys leads, indeed, to the sluggish diffusion. A fast method for preselecting materials with potentially desired properties is suggested.     

Influence of LiBO2 addition on the microstructure and lithium-ion conductivity of Li1+xAlxTi2−x(PO4)3(x = 0.3) ceramic electrolyte

Concerning the safety problems of conventional Li-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes, it is crucial to develop reliable solid-state electrolytes with high ionic conductivity. Li_1+xAl_xTi_2?x(PO₄)₃ (LATP, x = 0.3) is regarded as one of the most promising solid electrolytes due to its high ionic conductivity and excellent chemical stability to humidity.Herein, a new strategy is proposed for improving the sintering behavior and enhancing the ionic conductivity of LATP by using LiBO₂ as the sintering aid via liquid phase sintering. The as-prepared sample LATP with homogeneous microstructure and high relative density of 97.1% was successfully synthesized, yielding high total ionic conductivity of 3.5 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 and low activation energy of 0.39 eV at room temperature. It was found that the addition of LiBO₂ could effectively enhance the densification and increase the ionic conductivity of LATP electrolyte, proving an effective way to synthesis LATP ceramics by a simple and reliable route.     

Molecular Epidemiology of Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) Isolates of Hospitalized Children from Bolivia Reveal High Heterogeneity and Multidrug-Resistance

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is an emerging pathogen frequently associated with acute diarrhea in children and travelers to endemic regions. EAEC was found the most prevalent bacterial diarrheal pathogen from hospitalized Bolivian children less than five years of age with acute diarrhea from 2007 to 2010. Here, we further characterized the epidemiology of EAEC infection, virulence genes, and antimicrobial susceptibility of EAEC isolated from 414 diarrheal and 74 non-diarrheal cases. EAEC isolates were collected and subjected to a PCR-based virulence gene screening of seven virulence genes and a phenotypic resistance test to nine different antimicrobials. Our results showed that atypical EAEC (a-EAEC, AggR-negative) was significantly associated with diarrhea (OR, 1.62, 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.09, p < 0.001) in contrast to typical EAEC (t-EAEC, AggR-positive). EAEC infection was most prevalent among children between 7–12 months of age. The number of cases exhibited a biannual cycle with a major peak during the transition from warm to cold (April–June). Both typical and a-EAEC infections were graded as equally severe; however, t-EAEC harbored more virulence genes. aap, irp2 and pic were the most prevalent genes. Surprisingly, we detected 60% and 52.6% of multidrug resistance (MDR) EAEC among diarrheal and non-diarrheal cases. Resistance to ampicillin, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines was most common, being the corresponding antibiotics, the ones that are frequently used in Bolivia. Our work is the first study that provides comprehensive information on the high heterogenicity of virulence genes in t-EAEC and a- EAEC and the large prevalence of MDR EAEC in Bolivia.     

基于最小包容区域的球度误差评定方法

针对球度误差评定方法存在原理误差或模型误差,提出了一种符合最小包容区域定义的球度误差评定方法,即将几何搜索逼近算法与基于最小包容区域法的球度误差评定的几何结构和定义结合起来的准确评定方法。对仿真数据和其他文献中的数据进行了评定。所提方法与其他方法的评定结果表明,所提方法可以准确地找到最小包容区域球的球心并给出球度误差的精确解。     

Adaptive actuator failure compensation for cooperative robotic manipulators with parameter uncertainties

This article develops a new framework of adaptive actuator failure compensation control for cooperative manipulator systems with parameter uncertainties in addition to actuator failures, and designs and analyzes effective actuator failure compensation schemes for such robotic systems. The new adaptive control design uses an integration of multiple individual failure compensators and direct adaptation to handle various types of uncertainties in such robotic systems. The design can also be used for concurrent actuator failure cases, to expand the capability of adaptive actuator failure compensation. With a complete proof and performance analysis, it is shown that the proposed control scheme guarantees the desired closed-loop stability and asymptotic output tracking, despite actuator failures whose patterns, time instants and values are all unknown. Simulation results of a benchmark cooperative manipulator system are presented to verify the desired control performance of the system with both typical constant and square-wave actuator failure signals.     

Production of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides in Iranian ultrafiltered white cheese prepared with Lactobacillus brevis KX572382

In this study, ultrafiltered (UF) Iranian white cheese made with adjunct cultures including six Lactobacillus isolates (Lactobacillus brevis, L. casei and L. plantarum) from traditional Iranian Motal cheese. The peptide extract (<5 kDa) of cheese samples were assessed for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity during ripening (5 °C). Among the strains used, L. brevis KX572382 (M8) was selected because of the greater increase in (ACE)-inhibitory activity in the cheese (P < 0.05). The highest activity of M8 extract was observed on the 28th (71.72%) day of ripening (P < 0.05). Proteolytic activity assessment and RP-HPLC peptide profile of M8 water-soluble extracts (WSEs) indicated the effect of M8 on further protein degradation due to secondary proteolysis. A total of 7 different peptide sequences, previously known in the literature for their ACE-inhibitory activity, were tentatively identified by LC/ESI-MS in 28-day M8 peptide extract. Although the effect of M8 on pH and the proteolysis development in cheese was significant, no adverse effect was observed on the sensory properties. In conclusion, M8 strain can enhance the functional properties of Iranian UF white cheese.     

油莎豆白酒发酵工艺优化及其品质指标检测

以油莎豆饼和高粱为原料，分别采用固态和液态发酵工艺酿造油莎豆白酒，对油莎豆白酒的发酵工艺进行选择。在此基础上，采用单因素试验及正交试验探究发酵温度、糖化酶添加量以及活性干酵母添加量对油莎豆白酒发酵及理化指标的影响，从而确定油莎豆白酒的最佳固态发酵工艺条件，并对油莎豆白酒发酵过程中酒醅的发酵指标进行实时监测。结果表明，油莎豆白酒的最佳发酵工艺为固态发酵，最佳发酵工艺条件为发酵温度23 ℃，糖化酶添加量190 U/g、活性干酵母添加量0.5‰。在此优化条件下，油莎豆白酒的酒精度为9.2%vol，总酯含量为2.96 g/L，总酸含量为1.45 g/L，乙酸乙酯含量为2.42 g/L，出酒率达到41%。油莎豆白酒发酵过程中，酒精含量逐渐升高，最后趋于平缓，发酵结束后，酒精度达9.2%vol；发酵温度先上升后下降，第6天时酒醅温度达到峰值（27.9 ℃）；剩余淀粉含量逐渐下降，发酵结束后，淀粉消耗12.21%。     

Effect of co-fermentation and sequential fermentation of Candida versatilis and Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris on unsalted pork hydrolysates components

In this study, the effect of co-fermentation and sequential fermentation with a typical halophilic soy sauce yeast Candida versatilis and a non-halophilic dairy bacterium Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris in pork hydrolysates was explored for the first time with regard to their viability, physicochemical changes and volatile compound production. It was observed that the growth of C. versatilis was suppressed (only 0.6 - 1.5 log CFU mL⁻¹ increase), whilst L. lactis subsp. cremoris was stimulated (total cell counts exceeded 9.0 log CFU mL⁻¹) in mixed-cultures relative to the respective monocultures. There were no significant differences between co-inoculation and sequential inoculation regarding glucose consumption, organic acid production and free amino acids utilisation. Some distinct volatile compounds such as methionol, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one and gamma-nonalactone were found in both co-inoculated and sequentially inoculated samples, with slightly different concentrations. These results suggest that the mixed-inoculation of C. versatilis and L. lactis have a positive impact on the volatile compounds formation in pork hydrolysates.     

Coherent control of symmetric and asymmetric diffraction grating via relative phase

ABSTRACT

We present a theoretical model to realize the symmetric and asymmetric diffraction grating in a four-level atomic medium. The proposed atomic medium follows a double lambda configuration where four fields interact with it. We get control over symmetric and asymmetric behavior of the diffraction grating by manipulating the relative phase of the fields. Interestingly, the symmetric and asymmetric diffraction grating become prominent when the vortex beam is used instead of the plane wave. Enhanced first, second, and third-order diffraction gratings are achieved via the vortex beam. Further, we find control over asymmetric diffraction gratings by the relative phase of the fields. Coherent control of asymmetric diffraction grating in negative and positive diffracted angles is also achieved via the relative phase.