Application of a new portable microscopic somatic cell counter with disposable plastic chip for milk analysis

The somatic cell count (SCC) is one of the international standards for monitoring milk quality, and it is a useful indicator of mastitis. The current reference method for determining the SCC in raw milk is direct microscopic analysis, but this method requires well-trained staff to maintain its accuracy and reproducibility. To overcome these inconveniences, we developed a portable system (the C-reader system) that utilizes the capillary flow of a microfluidic chamber by surface modification of the hydrophilicity. The microfluidic technology of disposable microchips allows for low consumption of reagents, and a combination of ready-to-use reagents makes the daily work easier. The repeatability test of the C-reader using 10 composite bovine milk samples satisfied the recommended values for SCC equipment. In addition, an acceptable accuracy level of the natural logarithmic-transformed SCC [ln(SCC/1,000): ± 0.059 to 0.112] was achieved using composite raw milk samples and various somatic cell standard solutions from the American Eastern Laboratory and the Korean National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service. After testing 875 composite milk samples, the C-reader showed a high correlation coefficient (R² = 0.935 to 0.964) and a low mean difference value in log-transformed SCC (−0.088 to 0.004) compared with 3 automatic commercialized somatic cell counters (Fossomatic 4000, Somacount 150, and Somascope). In conclusion, the C-reader system is a new, easy-to-use automatic on-farm method with acceptable repeatability and accuracy for measuring SCC in large dairies and smaller laboratories.     

Thermal desorption of hydrogen from Mg2Ni hydrogen storage materials

In order to investigate the influence of HCS on the hydrogen occupation site of Mg2Ni alloy, the thermal desorption technique has been applied to Mg2Ni hydride made by hydriding combustion synthesis (HCS). Mg2Ni was made under low temperature in a short time by the HCS compared to conventional melting process. At various initial hydride wt% from 0.91 to 3.52, the sample was heated to 623 K at a rate of 1.0 K/min. The starting temperature of the evolution of hydrogen goes higher as the initial hydride wt% increases. Only one peak is shown in the case of the small initial hydride wt%. But two peaks appeared with increasing initial hydride wt%. The activation energies obtained by the first and second peaks are 113.0 and 99.5 kJ/mol respectively. The two site occupation model by Darriet et al. was proved. The influence of HCS on the hydrogen occupation site of Mg2Ni alloy is nonexistent.     

A Fair and QoS-Aware Resource Allocation Scheme in UWB WPANs with WiMedia Distributed MAC

Merits of distributed medium access control specified by WiMedia Alliance such as distributed nature and high data rate make it a favorite candidate standard for high rate wireless personal area network. However, the current WiMedia MAC standard has not considered supporting Quality of Service (QoS) even though QoS parameters such as a range of service rates are provided to each traffic stream (TS). Therefore, we propose a fair and QoS-aware resource allocation method that provides a fair and maximized QoS for all TSs according to the current traffic load condition and differentiates SoQ among different QoS classes while guaranteeing fairness of SoQ within a QoS class in a fully distributed manner. Even in case that the traffic load varies, each device independently recognizes the changes and calculates fair and maximum allowable service rates for TSs. From the simulation results, it is proven that the proposed method achieves high capacity of TSs and fair QoS provisioning under various traffic load conditions.     

Identification and partial characterization of lacticin BH5, a bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis BH5 isolated from Kimchi

Strain BH5 was isolated from naturally fermented Kimchi and identified as a bacteriocin producer that has bactericidal activity against Micrococcus flavus ATCC 10240. Strain BH5 was identified tentatively as Lactococcus lactis by API test. Lactococcus lactis BH5 showed a broad spectrum of activity against most of the nonpathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms tested by the modified deferred method. The activity of lacticin BH5, named tentatively as the bacteriocin produced by L. lactis BH5, was detected at the mid-log growth phase, reached its maximum during the early stationary phase, and decreased after the late stationary phase. Lacticin BH5 also showed a relatively broad spectrum of activity against nonpathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms as tested by the spot-on-lawn method. Its antimicrobial activity on sensitive indicator cells was completely destroyed by protease XIV. The inhibitory activities of lacticin BH5 were detected during treatments up to 100 degrees C for 30 min. Lacticin BH5 was very stable over a pH range of 2.0 to 9.0 and was stable with all the organic solvents examined. It demonstrated a typical bactericidal mode of inhibition against M. flavus ATCC 10240. The apparent molecular mass of lacticin BH5 was estimated to be in the region of 3 to 3.5 kDa, by the direct detection of bactericidal activity after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Mechanical properties of graphite/aluminum metal matrix composite joints by friction stir spot welding

Graphite/aluminum metal matrix composite (MMC) joints are successfully fabricated by friction stir spot welding (FSSW). During lap-joining processes of aluminum alloy sheets by FSSW, graphite/water colloid is applied between the tool shoulder and the upper plate. The Raman spectrum of the FSSW joint confirms that graphite/aluminum MMC is successfully induced in the stir zone. Quasi-static shear tests and micro hardness measurements of the FSSW joint also show that the strength and toughness of the joint are significantly improved by inducing graphite/aluminum MMC in the stir zone. The results of the present study suggest that the mechanical properties of structural components joined by spot welds can be easily enhanced by adopting MMC joints by FSSW, instead of changing the material or increasing the number of joints.     

The relationship between muscle fiber characteristics and meat quality traits of highly marbled Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) steers

To investigate the relationships between muscle fiber characteristics and meat quality traits of Korean native cattle, Hanwoo, Longissimus dorsi (LD), Psoas major (PM) and Semimembranosus (SM) muscles obtained from 18 Hanwoo steers and the muscle fiber characteristics were measured by histochemical analysis. Fiber number, area percentages and density of type IIA and IIB were lower in SM muscle, but higher in PM muscle than other muscles. LD muscle had higher pH_24h, L^? value and fat content whereas SM muscle had lower L^? value and fat content. The lowest WBSF with longer sarcomere length was observed in PM muscle, while SM muscle showed the highest WBSF with shorter sarcomere length. Consequently, the percentage of type I and IIB were highly correlated with meat quality traits and inversely correlated with fat content, L^? value and WBSF. Fiber number and area percentage of type I had a positive correlation with fat content and L^? value and a negative correlation with WBSF. These results suggest that Hanwoo steers had high marbling, more lightness and tenderness when the percentage of type I was high and the percentage of type IIB was low in muscle.     

Enhancing stability and bioavailability of sulforaphene in radish seed extracts using nanoemulsion made with high oleic sunflower oil

Food Science and Biotechnology - The effect of nanoemulsions on the stability and bioavailability of sulforaphene (SFEN) in radish seed extract (RSE) was investigated. Four types of oil were used...