The effect of Protexin on prevention of ileocecal infection by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in dairy calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Protexin (Probiotics International Ltd., South Petherton, UK) in the prevention of ileocecal infection by Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in dairy calves in the field situation. Forty Holstein bull calves whose dams were paratuberculosis negative (confirmed by serum ELISA test and fecal nested PCR) were randomly selected in 2 groups. All calves were fed raw milk collected from the bulk tank in a paratuberculosis-infected dairy farm, which was confirmed by PCR. The treatment group (20 calves) was given 2 g of Protexin from birth until weaning (90 d). The control group (20 calves) did not consume Protexin. The calves were culled at 12 mo of age and the ileocecal lymph nodes were sampled. The lymph nodes were tested by nested PCR to evaluate MAP infection. In the treatment group, 2 out of 20 calf (10%) ileoceca were infected by MAP, whereas in the control group, 8 out of 20 calf (40%) ileoceca were infected by MAP. A significant difference existed between ileocecal infection by MAP in treatment and control groups. Thus, Protexin showed a significant effect in decreasing the ileocecal infection by MAP.     

Analytical evaluation of two monovarietal virgin olive oils cultivated in the south of Tunisia: Jemri‐Bouchouka and Chemlali‐Tataouin cultivars

BACKGROUND: The characterisation of virgin olive oils from two Tunisian cultivars, growing in the Tataouin zone, namely Jemri‐Bouchouka, a rare olive cultivar, and Chemlali‐Tataouin, was carried out. Several analytical parameters were evaluated; these include quality index, fatty acids, phenolic, chlorophyll, carotenoid, squalene, α‐tocopherol compositions and oxidative stability. RESULTS: Jemri‐Bouchouka olive oil had the highest value of oleic acid (74.50%) while Chemlali‐Tataouin was characterised by a high percentage of palmitic acid (14.75%), which makes this oil freeze at a low temperature. On the other hand, Jemri‐Bouchouka oil was characterised by a low phenolic and α‐tocopherol content (267.72 mg GAE kg^?1 and 278.34 mg kg^?1, respectively). Ten phenolic compounds were identified. The main phenols found in the two olive oils were oleuropein aglycon and pinoresinol. All phenolic compounds showed significant correlations with oxidative stability. CONCLUSION: The analytical parameters of virgin olive oil that were determined in this study were greatly influenced by cultivar. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermal performance of different pond cells under actual climatic conditions in Qatar

Experimental work was undertaken to study the thermal performance of three different pond cells under actual climatic conditions of Qatar. The first cell was an open pond. In the second unit, a finned radiator, painted black, was placed over the pond. In the third cell, the water was contained in a polyethylene bag. Experimental results indicated that the exposed pond cell came out best, when considered in terms of how quickly the temperature of the stored water could be reduced, and how low that temperature could be. The water in the exposed pond was cooled directly (by evaporation and radiation to sky) whereas in the case of the finned radiator cell, heat had to be transferred from the stored water to the radiator, and then from the radiator to the surrounding. In the case of water-in-bag cell, evaporation was eliminated and radiative exchange with the sky was reduced due to the partial transparency of the polyethylene bag (in the infrared region).     

LASER SHORT-PULSE HEATING: INFLUENCE OF LASER POWER INTENSITY ON TEMPERATURE FIELDS

High-power-intensity and short-pulse laser heating of metallic surfaces results in thermal separation of electron and lattice subsystems. In this case, energy transport between the subsystems is governed mainly by the collisional process. Moreover, electron and lattice subsystems respond differently for different pulse intensities, despite the fact that the laser pulses have the same energy content. Consequently, in the present study, laser step-input pulse heating of gold substrate is considered and the thermal response of electron and lattice subsystems to four different intensity pulses with the same energy content is examined. The electron kinetic theory approach is introduced to model the nonequilibrium energy transport in the substrate material. It is found that electron temperature rises rapidly in the heating cycle while lattice temperature rise is gradual, which is more pronounced for laser short pulse lengths. In the cooling cycle (time after the laser pulse diminishes), electron temperature decay rate differs from the rate of lattice site temperature rise due to the specific heat ratios of electron and lattice sites.     

Recovery of Hydroxytyrosol Rich Extract from Two‐Phase Chemlali Olive Pomace by Chemical Treatment

Abstract: A very simple method is proposed to produce hydroxytyrosol, a commercially unavailable compound with well‐known biological properties which justify a potential commercial application. The 2‐phase Chemlali olive pomace is selected as substrate for chemical treatment. Different conditions of chemical treatment, including concentration of acid and alkaline solutions, time and temperature, were assayed. A high amount of hydroxytyrosol (1360 mg/kg of fresh 2‐phase olive pomace) was obtained using water bath after treatment at 80 °C for 90 min with 1 M of H₃PO₄. However, treatment of 2‐phase Chemlali olive pomace using autoclave apparatus could produce a large amount of hydroxytyrosol (1993.60 and 1515.88 mg/kg of fresh alperujo, 1 M acid and basic catalyst, respectively). By taking into consideration practical and economic aspects, acid‐catalyzed treatment was more effective using autoclave conditions, whereas the alkali catalyzed conditions were not very suitable. This study could provide useful information for industry to produce the potentially bioactive compound. Practical Application: The 2‐phase Chemlali olive pomace is selected as substrate for chemical treatment. Treatment of “alperujo” using water bath or autoclave apparatus was carried out. A high amount of hydroxytyrosol was obtained using autoclave apparatus.     

A state machine approach in modelling the heating process of a building

Process models and their applications have gradually become an integral part of the design, maintenance and automation of modern buildings. The following state machine model outlines a new approach in this area. The heating power described by the model is based on the recent inputs as well as on the past inputs and outputs of the process, thus also representing the states of the system. Identifying the model means collecting, assorting and storing observations, but also effectively utilizing their inherent relationships and nearest neighbours. The last aspect enables to create a uniform set of data, which forms the characteristic, dynamic behaviour of the HVAC process. The state machine model is non-parametric and needs no sophisticated algorithm for identification. It is therefore suitable for small microprocessor devices equipped with a larger memory capacity. The first test runs, performed in a simulated environment, were encouraging and showed good prediction capability.     

Axial Compression of Footings in Cohesionless Soils. II: Bearing Capacity

An extensive database of full-scale field load tests was used to examine the bearing capacity for footings in cohesionless soils. Each load test curve was evaluated consistently to determine the interpreted failure load (i.e., bearing capacity) using the L1-L2 method. This test value then was compared with the theoretical bearing capacity, computed primarily using the basic Vesi? model. The comparisons show that, for footing widths B>1?m, the field results agree very well with the Vesi? predictions. However, for B<1?m, the results indicated a relationship between B and the predicted-to-measured bearing capacity ratio. Accordingly, a simple modification was made to the bearing capacity equation, and the resulting predictions are very good.     

Thermal comfort and use of thermostats in Finnish homes and offices

Thermal comfort and use of thermostats in homes and office rooms were examined by a quantitative interview survey with a nationally representative sample in Finland. The total number of respondents was 3094. The results show that thermal comfort levels are lower in offices than in homes. People feel cold and hot more often in offices than in homes during both the winter and summer seasons. The perceived control over room temperature is remarkably low in offices. Higher thermal comfort levels and perceived control in homes are supported by greater adaptive opportunities. In offices people have fewer opportunities to control the thermal environment, people deal worse with thermostats, and people have lower opportunities to adapt to different thermal environments.     

Catalytic combustion of carbon tetrachloride

The catalytic combustion of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) by metal oxide catalysts coated on the monolith support was investigated. The prepared catalysts were tested at temperatures between 300 and 800 degrees C and at varying gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) values with an excess air ratio of 3100%. The catalyst, whose composition was 18% Cr2O3, 2% Ce2O3 and 80% gamma-Al2O3, was found to almost completely oxidize CCl4. The operating conditions proposed are 5702 h(-1) for GHSV, 3100% excess air and a temperature slightly higher than 800 degrees C. The reaction rate expression was found to be independent of oxygen partial pressure but strongly dependent on CCl4 partial pressure.