Production of three anti-listerial peptides by Lactobacillus curvatus in MRS broth

Three novel bioactive peptides (BAP1–3) from Lactobacillus curvatus CWBI-B28 were isolated and purified using de Man, Rogosa and Sharp (MRS) broth by a three-step protein purification protocol including ammonium sulfate precipitation, hydrophobic C₁₈ Sep-Pak column and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). This procedure allowed the recovery of chromatographically pure antimicrobial peptides with the yields of 19%, 10% and 15% of BAP1, BAP2 and BAP3, respectively. The respective apparent molecular masses as determined by tricine-SDS-polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis were 6365, 3426 and 3496. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the BAPs and comparison of their sequences with those of international data bases indicated that BAP1 is more likely to be a casein-derived bioactive protein produced upon hydrolysis of the tryptone present in MRS broth by Lb. curvatus CWBI-B28 during active growth. However, the identity of BAP2 and BAP3 could not be determined with certainty; yet, they would be novel bacteriocins not fitting in any of the known classes of bacteriocins. Therefore, this strain would have the ability to produce intrinsic antimicrobial substances and also release bioprotective peptides from milk-proteins upon cultivation in milk or casein-containing food products due to its proteolytic activity. Thus, Lb. curratus CWBI-B28 possesses a good potential to be used in food preservation and safety.     

Effect of Anodic Oxidation on the Characteristics of Lattice-Matched AlInN/GaN Heterostructures

The effect of anodic oxidation on the electronic characteristics of lattice-matched AlInN/GaN heterostructures was investigated using field-effect transistor (FET) structures with the gate areas in direct contact with the electrolytes. The gate surface of the FETs was subjected to anodic oxidation in 0.1 M KOH. The oxidized heterostructures were analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and by modeling the characteristics of the electrolyte-gate FETs and the energy-band diagram of the heterostructures. This analysis suggested that the anodic treatment induced a bulk oxidation of the AlInN barrier. The Fermi level at the oxidized AlInN surface was shifted deep into the bandgap. The oxidation led to a reduction of the carrier mobility and to partial depletion of the channel.     

H∞ filtering of discrete-time switched singular systems with time-varying delays

In this article, the analysis and design problems of H_∞ filtering for a class of discrete-time switched singular systems with time-varying delay under an arbitrary switching signal are investigated. The main attention is focused on the design of a linear mode-dependent filter guaranteeing the regularity, causality, and asymptotic stability of the resulting filtering error system with a prescribed H_∞ performance bound. By using a multiple Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, and utilizing the linearization technique, novel sufficient conditions for the solvability of H_∞ problem are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Solving that, the desired filter gains can be determined. Any model transformation of system, which often leads the large computational burden is involved. The free weighting matrix technique is introduced to provide additional degree of freedom, which improves the conservativeness of the developed method. Finally, numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness and the merit of the proposed approach and to compare the obtained results with some previous works in the literature.     

Power measurement setup for large signal microwave characterization at 94 GHz

We report the development of a power measurement setup in order to characterize devices at 94GHz. A very careful calibration of the setup has been performed in order to take into account in a most accurate way the losses through the different parts of the bench and in particular through the tuner. These aware power measurements have allowed to demonstrate state of the art power results on two different devices. We reached at 94GHz an output power of 876mW/mm associated to a 7.5-dB power gain and a power added efficiency (PAE) of 33% on a pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (PHEMT) on GaAs substrate. We achieved a 260-mW/mm maximum output power density with 5.9-dB power gain and 11% PAE on an InAsP channel HEMT on InP substrate.     

Ultrathin barrier GaN-on-Silicon devices for millimeter wave applications

In this paper, the possibility to use GaN-on-Silicon devices for millimeter wave applications by means of ultrathin barrier layers is reviewed. In particular, an emerging double heterostructure high electron mobility transistor (DHFET) based on AlN/GaN/AlGaN grown on silicon substrate is described, which enables a unique simultaneous achievement of high breakdown voltage and high frequency performance. This configuration system allowed for state-of-the-art GaN-on-Silicon DC, RF output power and noise performances at 40 GHz, paving the way for high performance mmW cost-effective amplifiers. Preliminary reliability assessment has been performed for the first time on this new class of RF devices, showing promising device stability.     

Enhancing the sustainability and energy conservation in heritage buildings: The case of Nottingham Playhouse

Today, there is a growing interest in developing energy efficient buildings since it is estimated that buildings account for about 40% of the total primary energy consumption in the world. In relation to existing buildings, energy efficiency retrofits have become an important opportunity to upgrade the energy performance of commercial, public and residential buildings that may reduce the energy consumption, demand and cost. In this paper we cover the energy efficiency deep retrofit process that has been carried out for Nottingham Playhouse theatre building for the aim of enhancing its environmental performance and analysing the energy efficiency gained after implementing certain proposed modifications. It is a nationally protected historic building, listed as Grade II1 on The National Heritage List for England (NHLE). The building has had insulation enhancement, doors modifications, solar energy installations, energy-saving lights, in addition to improved heating and air conditioning system. The paper presents a novel methodology; and its results indicate significant improvements in the building's energy performance which is demonstrated using infrared thermographic images and data logger sensors where significant energy savings to the building's thermal performance are obtained. The energy saving measures have been completed while maintaining the heritage building's general appearance and architectural features, which have received a Commendation Certificate from The Nottingham Civic Society for this achievement.     

Biocontrol of Listeria monocytogenes in a model cultured milk (lben) by in situ bacteriocin production from Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis

Bacteriocin‐producing (Bac⁺) Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis CCMM/IAV/BK1 isolated from traditional lben was used in the preparation of lben from pasteurized milk to assess its potential inhibitory activity against Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644. Production of bacteriocin (arbitrary units, AU) in MRS broth fortified with yeast extract (MRSY) in a fermentor under controlled and uncontrolled pH conditions was also investigated. This Bac⁺ strain yielded about 35 times more bacteriocin when the pH was maintained constant at 6.5 than under varying pH conditions. To test the effect of in situ bacteriocin production against L. monocytogenes, lben was made from cow's milk artificially contaminated with approximately 10⁷ cfu/mL and fermented with a mixed mesophilic starter culture consisting of the lactococcal Bac⁺ organism and Lc. lactis ssp. lactis biovar diacetylactis 66, a diacetyl‐producing strain, in a ratio of 1 : 1. Numbers of L. monocytogenes were monitored during fermentation and storage of lben at refrigeration temperature (c. 7°C) for up to 6 days. Performances of the Bac⁺ starter were compared to those of an isogenic Bac^? derivative strain obtained from the Bac⁺ starter by curing with ethidium bromide. The results showed that the amount of L. monocytogenes decreased to below the detectable level in a 1‐mL sample within 24 h of storage at 7°C in lben fermented with the Bac⁺ starter culture. On the contrary, L. monocytogenes survived for 6 days of storage at 7°C in lben made with the Bac^? starter. The Bac⁺ wild strain of the starter studied could be adequately used to produce lben or similar indigenous fermented milks of improved hygienic quality on an industrial scale. Alternatively, it could be used as an adjunct in minimally processed products or in products obtained from raw milk to add a safety factor.     

Staphylococcal enterotoxins and enterotoxin-like toxins with special reference to dairy products: An overview

Staphylococcal Enterotoxins (SEs) have been raising health concerns for food safety due to their association with staphylococcal foodborne poisoning (SFP). As superantigens, they also cause the life threatening toxic shock syndrome (TSS), the transmission of which via food cannot be ruled out despite the lack of epidemiological evidence. To date, at least 23 of these exotoxins are known and separated into SEs and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin-like (SEl) depending on whether or not they invoke emesis. This work presents an up-to-date overview on the presently known SEs/SEls from the perspective of their classification, pathogenesis, and genetic organisation. The incidence of these toxins in dairy products, the risk this poses to the public health, and possible control means are also reviewed.     

Behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes in raw sausages (merguez) in presence of a bacteriocin-producing lactococcal strain as a protective culture

The effectiveness of a bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis M in reducing population level and growth of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644 in fermented merguez sausage was examined. Two different formulas (with or without added nitrites) were assayed and predetermined numbers of Listeria (ca 10⁶ cfu g⁻¹) were added to sausage mixture. The effect of in situ production of the bacteriocin by Lactococcus lactis M on Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644 during fermentation and storage of merguez sausages at room (ca 22 °C) or at refrigeration (ca 7 °C) temperature was tested. Results indicated that counts of Listeria monocytogenes were decreased during fermentation of merguez samples fermented with either the bacteriocin-producing Lactococcus lactis M (Bac⁺) or a nonbacteriocin-producing Lactococcus lactis J (Bac⁻). However, reduction in Listeria cfu's was greater in samples fermented with the Bac⁺ than in those fermented with the Bac⁻ starter. In merguez sausage made without nitrites addition, the Bac⁺ starter induced further decrease in Listeria counts by 1.5 log cycles compared with that induced by the Bac⁻ starter. While in merguez samples with added nitrites (0.4%), the effect of the bacteriocin produced in situ was less important than in those made without nitrites addition.