Feshbach resonances in 3He*-4He* mixtures

We discuss the stability of homonuclear and heteronuclear mixtures of 3He and 4He atoms in the metastable 2^3S_1 state (He*) and predict positions and widths of Feshbach resonances by using the Asymptotic Bound-state Model (ABM). All calculations are performed without fit parameters, using \emph{ab-initio} calculations of molecular potentials. One promising very broad Feshbach resonance (\Delta B=72.9^{+18.3}_{-19.3} mT) is found that allows for tuning of the inter-isotope scattering length.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure

Broad Feshbach resonance in the 6Li-40K mixture

We study the widths of interspecies Feshbach resonances in a mixture of the fermionic quantum gases 6Li and 40K. We develop a model to calculate the width and position of all available Feshbach resonances for a system. Using the model we select the optimal resonance to study the 6Li/40K mixture. Experimentally, we obtain the asymmetric Fano lineshape of the interspecies elastic cross section by measuring the distillation rate of 6Li atoms from a potassium-rich 6Li/40K mixture as a function of magnetic field. This provides us with the first experimental determination of the width of a resonance in this mixture, Delta B=1.5(5) G. Our results offer good perspectives for the observation of universal crossover physics using this mass-imbalanced fermionic mixture.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Feshbach spectroscopy and scattering properties of ultracold Li+Na mixtures

We have observed 26 interspecies Feshbach resonances at fields up to 2050 G in ultracold $^6$Li+$^{23}$Na mixtures for different spin-state combinations. Applying the asymptotic bound-state model to assign the resonances, we have found that most resonances have d-wave character. This analysis serves as guidance for a coupled-channel calculation, which uses modified interaction potentials to describe the positions of the Feshbach resonances well within the experimental uncertainty and to calculate their widths. The scattering length derived from the improved interaction potentials is experimentally confirmed and deviates from previously reported values in sign and magnitude. We give prospects for $^7$Li+$^{23}$Na and predict broad Feshbach resonances suitable for tuning.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, version as published in PR

Influence of post-treatment on the microstructural and tribomechanical properties of suspension thermally sprayed WC-12 wt%Co nanocomposite coatings.

The potential to improve the tribomechanical performance of HVOF-sprayed WC-12Co coatings was studied by using aqueous WC-12Co suspensions as feed-stock. Both as-sprayed and hot-isostatic-pressed (HIPed) coatings were studied. Mathematical models of wear rate based on the structure property relationships, even for the conventionally sprayed WC-Co hardmetal coatings, are at best based on the semiempirical approach. This paper aims to develop these semiempirical mathematical models for suspension sprayed nanocomposite coatings in as-sprayed and heat-treated (HIPed) conditions. Microstructural evaluations included transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The nanohardness and modulus of the coated specimens were investigated using a diamond Berkovich nanoindenter. Sliding wear tests were conducted using a ball-on-flat test rig. Results indicated that the HIPing post-treatment resulted in crystallization of amorphous coating phases and increase in elastic modulus and hardness. Influence of these changes in the wear mechanisms and wear rate is discussed. Results are also compared with conventionally sprayed high-velocity oxy-fuel hardmetal WC-Co coatings

Preparation and Characterization of Macroporous Carrageenan Beads for Enhanced Gel Filtration

Macroporous K-carrageenan beads were prepared by two–step emulsion method, chemically cross-linked characterized, and then employed for gel filtration. It has recently been recognized that convection (i.e. bulk fluid movement) through large pores (i.e. macropores ) is an effective way of enhancing the performance of chromatographic separation by improving mass transfer. The aim of our study was to determine if this concept was true for macroporous and carrageenan beads. The pore structure of the beads was analyzed by environmental scanning electronic microscopy and characterized by measuring  the total surface area and packing density. An increasing toluene content in the first emulsion was found to play an important role in creating more pores and in determining the pore structure. In addition, heat treatment of the beads was very effective for increasing the cross linking density and reducing the bead volume swelling in saline. However, treatment with steam reduced the bead surface area suggesting a change in pore structure. The cross linked hydrogel beads were stable in the pH range 1-13 and in KCI solutions at a concentration over 0.07 M. The bead size increased with a decrease in ionic strength. At low ionic strength, two of the proteins studied, cytochrome C and lysozyme, were found to adsorb to the carrageenan beads. The ionic stength also affected the fractionation range of the beads for gel filtration. The elution volume of various non-adsorbed proteins was reduced with a decrease in ionic stength. The efficiency (i.e. resolution and reduced plate heights) of carrageenanbeads in chromatographic separation was better than that of commercial Sepharose CL-6B beads , especially at high flow rates

Sliding wear investigation of suspension sprayed WC-Co nanocomposite coatings.

Sliding wear evaluation of nanostructured coatings deposited by Suspension High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (S-HVOF) and conventional HVOF (Jet Kote (HVOF-JK) and JP5000 (HVOF-JP)) spraying were evaluated. S-HVOF coatings were nanostructured and deposited via an aqueous based suspension of the WC-Co powder, using modified HVOF (TopGun) spraying. Microstructural evaluations of these hardmetal coatings included X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). Sliding wear tests on coatings were conducted using a ball-on-flat test rig against steel, silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramic and WC-6Co balls. Results indicated that nanosized particles inherited from the starting powder in S-HVOF spraying were retained in the resulting coatings. Significant changes in the chemical and phase composition were observed in the S-HVOF coatings. Despite decarburization, the hardness and sliding wear resistance of the S-HVOF coatings was comparable to the HVOF-JK and HVOF-JP coatings. The sliding wear performance was dependent on the ball-coating test couple. In general a higher ball wear rate was observed with lower coating wear rate. Comparison of the total (ball and coating) wear rate indicated that for steel and ceramic balls, HVOF-JP coatings performed the best followed by the S-HVOF and HVOF-JK coatings. For the WC-Co ball tests, average performance of S-HVOF was better than that of HVOF-JK and HVOF-JP coatings. Changes in sliding wear behavior were attributed to the support of metal matrix due to relatively higher tungsten content, and uniform distribution of nanoparticles in the S-HVOF coating microstructure. The presence of tribofilm was also observed for all test couples

The host metabolite D-serine contributes to bacterial niche specificity through gene selection

Escherichia coli comprise a diverse array of both commensals and niche-specific pathotypes. The ability to cause disease results from both carriage of specific virulence factors and regulatory control of these via environmental stimuli. Moreover, host metabolites further refine the response of bacteria to their environment and can dramatically affect the outcome of the host–pathogen interaction. Here, we demonstrate that the host metabolite, D-serine, selectively affects gene expression in E. coli O157:H7. Transcriptomic profiling showed exposure to D-serine results in activation of the SOS response and suppresses expression of the Type 3 Secretion System (T3SS) used to attach to host cells. We also show that concurrent carriage of both the D-serine tolerance locus (dsdCXA) and the locus of enterocyte effacement pathogenicity island encoding a T3SS is extremely rare, a genotype that we attribute to an ‘evolutionary incompatibility’ between the two loci. This study demonstrates the importance of co-operation between both core and pathogenic genetic elements in defining niche specificity