Impact of short-term storage on the quantity of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Escherichia coli in broiler litter under practical conditions

Applying broiler litter containing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)–producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) to arable land poses a potential risk for humans to get colonized by contact with contaminated soil or vegetables. Therefore, an inactivation of these bacteria before land application of litter is crucial. We performed 2 short-term litter storage trials (one in summer and winter, respectively), each covering a time span of 5 D to investigate the effectiveness of this method for inactivation of ESBL-producing E. coli in chicken litter. Surface and deep litter samples were taken from a stacked, ESBL-positive chicken litter heap in triplicates in close sampling intervals at the beginning and daily for the last 3 D of the experiments. Samples were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively for ESBL-producing E. coli, total E. coli, and enterococci. Selected isolates were further characterized by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). In the depth of the heap ESBL-producing E. coli were detected quantitatively until 72 h and qualitatively until the end of the trial in winter. In summer detection was possible quantitatively up to 36 h and qualitatively until 72 h. For surface litter samples a qualitative detection of ESBL-producing E. coli was possible in all samples taken in both trials. In the deep samples a significant decrease in the bacterial counts of over 2 Log10 was observed for total E. coli in the winter and for total E. coli and enterococci in the summer. Genetic differences of the isolates analyzed by WGS did not correlate with survival advantage. In conclusion, short-term storage of chicken litter stacked in heaps is a useful tool for the reduction of bacterial counts including ESBL-producing E. coli. However, incomplete inactivation was observed at the surface of the heap and at low ambient temperatures. Therefore, an extension of the storage period in winter as well as turning of the heap to provide aerobic composting conditions should be considered if working and storage capacities are available on the farms

Atomic scale coexistence of periodic and quasiperiodic order in a 2-fold Al-Ni-Co decagonal quasicrystal surface

Decagonal quasicrystals are made of pairs of atomic planes with pentagonal symmetry periodically stacked along a 10-fold axis. We have investigated the atomic structure of the 2-fold surface of a decagonal Al-Ni-Co quasicrystal using scanning tunneling microscopy. The surface consists of terraces separated by steps of heights 1.9, 4.7, 7.8, and 12.6 Å containing rows of atoms parallel to the 10-fold direction with an internal periodicity of 4 Å. The rows are arranged aperiodically, with separations that follow a Fibonacci sequence and inflation symmetry. The results indicate that the surfaces are preferentially Al-terminated and in general agreement with bulk models

Tribological properties of quasicrystals: Effect of aperiodic versus periodic surface order

We investigated the nanoscale tribological properties of a decagonal quasicrystal using a combination of atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum. This combination permitted a variety of in situ measurements, including atomic-scale structure, friction and adhesion force, tip-sample current, and topography. We found that thiol-passivated tips can be used for reproducible studies of the tip-quasicrystal contact while nonpassivated probes adhere irreversibly to the clean quasicrystalline surface causing permanent modifications. The most remarkable results were obtained on the twofold surface of the Al-Ni-Co decagonal quasicrystal where atoms are arranged periodically along the tenfold axis and aperiodically in the perpendicular direction. Strong friction anisotropy was observed on this surface, with high friction along the periodic direction and low friction in the aperiodic direction

Elastic and inelastic deformations of ethylene-passivated tenfold decagonal Al-Ni-Co quasicrystal surfaces

The adhesion and friction force properties between a tenfold Al‐Ni‐Co decagonal quasicrystal and a titanium nitride (TiN)-coated tip were investigated using an atomic force microscope in ultrahigh vacuum. To suppress the strong chemical adhesion found in the clean quasicrystal surfaces, the sample was exposed to ethylene that formed a protective passivating layer. We show that the deformation mechanism of the tip-substrate junction changes from elastic to inelastic at a threshold pressure of 3.8 to 4.0 GPa. Images of the indentation marks left above the threshold pressure indicate the absence of new steps, and indicate that surface damage is not accompanied by formation of slippage planes or dislocations, as found in plastically deforming crystalline materials. This is consistent with the lack of translational periodicity of quasicrystals. The work of adhesion in the inelastic regime is five times larger than in the elastic one, plausibly as a result of the displacement of the passivating layer. In the elastic regime, the friction dependence on load is accurately described by the Derjaguin-Müller-Toporov (DMT) model, consistent with the high hardness of both the TiN tip and the quasicrystal sample. Above the threshold pressure, the friction versus load curve deviates from the DMT model, indicating that chemical bond formation and rupture contribute to the energy dissipation

Some preliminary notes on the music of the Cwezi cult in Ankole (Western Uganda)

The Rev. Y. B. Bamunoba made a special study of the Cwezi cult in Ankole. In the Uganda Journal, Vol. 29, no. 1 (1965), he published an interesting article in joint authorship with F. B. Welbourn on the emandwa initiation which is still in vogue, though only to a limited extent and usually very locally. Their essay gives a detailed description of the ceremonial followed during the initiation rites and enumerates a few situations in which the emandwa rites are performed. More valuable information on the subject is recorded in another article ‘Diviners for the Abagabe’ (Uganda Journal, Vol. 29, no. 1). The content of both papers is related to the spirits of the legendary Cwezi rulers. Although incidental mention is made of ritual singing, dancing and flute playing, no further details on the music are give