• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.1896-1906
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• 2020

The BEAVRS (Benchmark for Evaluation and Validation of Reactor Simulation) benchmark calculations were performed by DeCART stand-alone and DeCART/MATRA multi-physics coupled code system to verify their accuracy. The solutions of DeCART stand-alone calculations for the control rod bank worth, detector signal, isothermal temperature coefficient, and critical boron concentration agreed very well with the measurements. The root-mean-square errors of the boron letdown curves for two-cycles were less than about 20 ppm, while the individual and total control rod bank worth agreed well within 7.3% and 2.4%, respectively. For the BEAVRS benchmark calculations at the beginning of burnup, the difference between DeCART simplified thermal-hydraulic stand-alone and DeCART/MATRA coupled calculations were not significantly large. Therefore, it is concluded that both the DeCART stand-alone code and the DeCART/MATRA multi-physics coupled code system have the capabilities to generate high fidelity transport solutions at core follow calculations.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.59-63
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• 2017

Chelating solutions can be damaged by strong acids during oil production. To design effective corrosion inhibitors and other alternatives for corrosion control, it is important to understand not only the behavior of the system under operating condition but also the kinetics of electrochemical reactions during the corrosion process. In this study, the electrochemical behaviors of P-110 steel in aqueous fluids based on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) compounds under various temperatures and hydrodynamic regime conditions were assessed. Electrochemical measurements were conducted using rotating disc electrodes manufactured. Electrolytes were prepared using aqueous compounds of EDTA like diammonium salt, disodium salt, and tetrasodium salt. Potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance, and mass loss tests were performed in order to assess the corrosion kinetic in electrolytes. Hydrodynamic effects were observed only in the cathodic polarization curve. This proves that hydrodynamic regime plays an important role in the corrosion of steel mainly in disodium and diammonium EDTA solutions. Two cathodic reactions controlled the corrosion process. However, oxygen level and pH of the electrolyte played the most important role in metal corrosion. Corrosion rates in those fluids were decreased drastically when oxygen concentration was reduced.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.17.1-17.4
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• 2014

Puberty is a stage of sexual development determined by the interaction of many loci and environmental factors. Identification of genes contributing to genetic variation in this character can assist with selection for early pubertal bulls, improving genetic progress in livestock breeding. Thyroid hormones play an important role in sexual development and spermatogenic function. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in thyroglobulin(TG) gene with age of puberty in Angus bulls. Four SNPs were genotyped in 273 animals using SEQUENOM technology and the association between markers and puberty age was analyzed. Results showed a significant association (P < 0.05) between these markers and puberty age estimated at a sperm concentration of 50 million and a progressive motility of 10%. This is the first report of an association of TG polymorphisms with age of puberty in bulls, and results suggest the importance of thyroidal regulation in bovine sexual development and arrival to puberty.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.405-417
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• 2023

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, is a significant but neglected tropical public health issue in Latin America due to the diversity of its genotypes and pathogenic profiles. This complexity is compounded by the adverse effects of current treatments, underscoring the need for new therapeutic options that employ medicinal plant extracts without negative side effects. Our research aimed to evaluate the trypanocidal activity of Bidens pilosa fractions against epimastigote and trypomastigote stages of T. cruzi, specifically targeting the Brener and Nuevo León strains-the latter isolated from Triatoma gerstaeckeri in General Terán, Nuevo León, México. We processed the plant's aerial parts (stems, leaves, and flowers) to obtain a methanolic extract (Bp-mOH) and fractions with varying solvent polarities. These preparations inhibited more than 90% of growth at concentrations as low as 800 ㎍/ml for both parasite stages. The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values for the Bp-mOH extract and its fractions were below 500 ㎍/ml. Tests for cytotoxicity using Artemia salina and Vero cells and hemolytic activity assays for the extract and its fractions yielded negative results. The methanol fraction (BPFC3MOH1) exhibited superior inhibitory activity. Its functional groups, identified as phenols, enols, alkaloids, carbohydrates, and proteins, include compounds such as 2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde (50.9%), pentadecyl prop-2-enoate (22.1%), and linalool (15.4%). Eight compounds were identified, with a match confirmed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST-MS) software through mass spectrometry analysis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.689-694
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• 2006

We investigated the potential use of various carbon sources (fructose, glucose, mannose, lactose, and glycerol) for culturing Phaeodactylum tricornutum UTEX-640 in mixotrophic and heterotrophic batch cultures. Concentrations of carbon substrates tested ranged from 0.005 M to 0.2 M. P. tricornutum did not grow heterotrophically on any of the C-sources used, but successive additions of organic carbon in mixotrophic growth mode substantially increased the biomass concentration and productivity relative to photoautotrophic controls. The maximum biomass productivities in mixotrophic cultures for glycerol, fructose, and glucose were 21.30 mg/l h, 15.80 mg/l h, and 10.20 mg/l h, respectively. These values were respectively 10-, 8-, and 5-fold higher than those obtained in the corresponding photoautotrophic control cultures. Mannose and lactose did not significantly affect microalgal growth. The biomass lipids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and pigments contents were considerably enhanced with glycerol and fructose in relation to photoautotrophic controls. The EPA content was barely affected by the sugars, but were more than 2-fold higher in glycerol-fed cultures than in photoautotrophic controls.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.245-250
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• 2006

The effects of aliphatic hydrocarbons (n-hexadecane and n-dodecane) on the volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient $(k_L\;a)$ were studied in flat alveolar airlift reactor and continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs). In the flat alveolar airlift reactor, high aeration rates (>2vvm) were required in order to obtain efficient organic-aqueous phase dispersion and reliable $k_La$ measurements. Addition of 1% (v/v) n-hexadecane or n-dodecane increased the $k_La$ 1.55- and 1.33-fold, respectively, compared to the control (superficial velocity: $25.8{\times}10^{-3}m/s$, sparger orifice diameter: 0.5 mm). Analysis of the gas-liquid interfacial area a and the liquid film mass transfer coefficient $k_L$ suggests that the observed $k_La$ increase was a function of the media's liquid film mass transfer. Addition of 1% (v/v) n-hexadecane or n-dodecane to analogous setups using CSTRs led to a $k_La$ increase by a factor of 1.68 and 1.36, respectively (superficial velocity: $2.1{\times}10^{-3}m/s$, stirring rate: 250 rpm). These results propose that low-concentration addition of oxygen-vectors to aerobic microbial cultures has additional benefit relative to incubation in purely aqueous media.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.1117-1123
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• 2012

The effect of duckweed (DW) supplementation was evaluated on dry matter intake (DMI), presence and duration of estrus, percentage of ewes repeating estrus and pregnancy rate, as well as the concentration of progesterone ($P_4$) in multiparous crossbred ewes from Pelibuey, Dorper, and Katahdin breeds, fed with Taiwan grass hay (TWH). Eighteen ewes with $39.7{\pm}4kg$ mean body weight, kept in individual pens, were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: $T_1$: TWH, $T_2$: TWH plus 200 g DW, $T_3$: TWH plus 300 g DW. The ewes were synchronized with 40 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) and 400 UI equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using the GLM procedure. DW supplementation had no effect on dry matter intake (p>0.05); however, a slight decrease of TWH intake was observed as DW supplementation increased. No differences (p>0.05) were found in the beginning of estrus, percentage of ewes presenting it, its duration, or pregnancy rate. There were no differences (p>0.05) on $P_4$ concentration among treatments, or $treatment{\times}period$ interaction (p>0.05). However the period was significant (p<0.01), since the $P_4$ levels increased as time increased after the removal of the FGA device and eCG application.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.1104-1113
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• 2014

The effects of feeding pelleted citrus pulp (PCP) as a natural antioxidant source on the performance and milk quality of dairy cows fed highly polyunsaturated fatty acid (FA) diets were evaluated. Four lactating Holstein cows were assigned to a $4{\times}4$ Latinsquare. Treatments, on a dry matter (DM) basis, were i) control diet; ii) 3% soybean oil; iii) 3% soybean oil and 9% PCP and; iv) 3% soybean oil and 18% PCP. When cows fed on citrus pulp, the DM intake tended to decrease. The total tract apparent digestibility of DM and ether extract decreased when cows fed on the control diet compared to other diets. Cows fed PCP had higher polyphenols and flavonoids content and higher total ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in milk compared to those fed no pelleted citrus pulp. Cows fed 18% PCP showed higher monounsaturated FA and lower saturated FA in milk fat compared with cows fed the other diets. The lowest n-6 FA proportion was in milk fat from cows fed control. The present study suggests that pelleted citrus pulp added to 9% to 18% DM increases total polyphenols and flavonoids concentration, and the FRAP in milk.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.234-241
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• 2017

Potato peels (PP) contain several bioactive compounds. These compounds are known to provide human health benefits, including antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In addition, these compounds could have effects on human enteric viruses that have not yet been reported. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the phenolic composition, antioxidant properties in the acidified ethanol extract (AEE) and water extract of PP, and the antiviral effects on the inhibition of Av-05 and MS2 bacteriophages, which were used as human enteric viral surrogates. The AEE showed the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Chlorogenic and caffeic acids were the major phenolic acids. In vitro analysis indicated that PP had a strong antioxidant activity. A 3 h incubation with AEE at a concentration of 5 mg/ml was needed to reduce the PFU/ml (plaque-forming unit per unit volume) of Av-05 and MS2 by 2.8 and $3.9log_{10}$, respectively, in a dose-dependent manner. Our data suggest that PP has potential to be a source of natural antioxidants against enteric viruses.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.57-72
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• 2016

The Poisson ratio reduction of symmetric hygrothermal aged $[{\theta}_m/90_n]_s$ composite laminates containing a transverse cracking in mid-layer is predicted by using a modified shear-lag model. Good agreement is obtained by comparing the prediction models and experimental data published by Joffe et al. (2001). The material properties of the composite are affected by the variation of temperature and transient moisture concentration distribution in desorption case, and are based on a micro-mechanical model of laminates. The transient and non-uniform moisture concentration distribution give rise to the transient Poisson ratio reduction. The obtained results represent well the dependence of the Poisson ratio degradation on the cracks density, fibre orientation angle of the outer layers and transient environmental conditions. Through the presented study, we hope to contribute to the understanding of the hygrothermal behaviour of cracked composite laminate.