Effects of lauric and myristic acids on ruminal fermentation, production, and milk fatty acid composition in lactating dairy cows

The objectives of this experiment were to investigate the effects of lauric (LA) and myristic (MA) acids on ruminal fermentation, production, and milk fatty acid (FA) profile in lactating dairy cows and to identify the FA responsible for the methanogen-suppressing effect of coconut oil. The experiment was conducted as a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square. Six ruminally cannulated cows (95 ± 26.4 DIM) were subjected to the following treatments: 240 g/cow per day each of stearic acid (SA, control), LA, or MA. Experimental periods were 28 d and cows were refaunated between periods. Lauric acid reduced protozoal counts in the rumen by 96%, as well as acetate, total VFA, and microbial N outflow from the rumen, compared with SA and MA. Ruminal methane production was not affected by treatment. Dry matter intake was reduced 35% by LA compared with SA and MA, which resulted in decreased milk yield. Milk fat content also was depressed by LA compared with SA and MA. Treatment had no effect on milk protein content. All treatments increased milk concentration of the respective treatment FA. Concentration of C12:0 was more than doubled by LA, and C14:0 was increased (45%) by MA compared with SA. Concentration of milk FA < C16 was 20% lower for LA than MA. Concentrations of trans 18:1 FA (except trans 12) and CLA isomers were increased by LA compared with SA and MA. Overall, the concentrations of saturated FA in milk fat were reduced, and that of > C16 FA and MUFA were increased, by LA compared with the other treatments. In this study, LA had profound effects on ruminal fermentation, mediated through inhibited microbial populations, and decreased DMI, milk yield, and milk fat content. Despite the significant decrease in protozoal counts, however, LA had no effect on ruminal methane production. Thus, the antimethanogenic effect of coconut oil, observed in related studies, is likely due to total FA application level, the additive effect of LA and MA, or a combination of both. Both LA and MA modified milk FA profile significantly.     

The Relationship of Glass Transition Temperature to Adhesive Strength

The effects of glass transition temperature (T_g) on mechanical properties have been further demonstrated by the observation of adirect relationship between the T_g of an epoxy adhesive and its lap shear bond strength to metal at elevated test temperatures. An additive (coupling agent) which lowers the T_g from a point near or above the test temperature to below it causes a subsequent decrease in the strength of the system and generally increased cohesive failure. Therefore effects on the T_g of the adhesive are more important than on interfacial properties. The end result is that differential thermal analysis (DTA) can be utilized as a effective screening method for adhesives and additives, and can be a good indicator of maximum use temperature. From these data T_g can also be used to estimate adhesive strength at a given use temperature.     

Dependencies and autonomy in research performance: examining nanoscience and nanotechnology in emerging countries

Scientometrics - International collaboration in the creation of knowledge is changing the structural stratification of science, with implications for science policy. Analyses of collaboration in...     

Calcium peroxide (CaO2) for use in modified Fenton chemistry

The use of calcium peroxide (CaO2) powder as a source of H2O2 to promote modified Fenton (MF) chemistry was studied. First, the rate of production and yield of H2O2 from CaO2 dissolving in water at pH 6-9, and 12-13 (i.e., unbuffered CaO2) was measured. The rate of CaO2 dissolution increased as pH decreased, from 62 h for complete dissolution at pH 12-13 to only 4h at pH 6. The yield of H2O2 also increased with decreasing pH, from zero at pH 12-13 to 82% at pH 6. The ability of CaO2 to promote MF oxidation of PCE was demonstrated with a hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenger (2-propanol) at pH 8. The scavenger inhibited PCE oxidation, but 97% of the PCE was oxidized without it. Release of Cl(-) showed that PCE was mineralized. Finally, PCE oxidation was compared with liquid H2O2 (pH 7) and with CaO2 (pH 6, 7, 8, 9). Liquid H2O2 showed the lowest efficiency (mol H2O2 consumed/mol PCE oxidized) and the greatest temperature increase, disproportionation to O2, and PCE volatilization. CaO2 was a more efficient oxidant than liquid H2O2 at all pH values because it only releases H2O2 upon dissolution, reducing the loss to O2 and volatilization. CaO2 performed optimally at pH 8.     

InP sample preparation for the TEM by photochemical etching, ion milling, and chemical thinning.

Photochemical etching (PCE) as a method for preparation of InP semiconductor plan view samples for the transmission electron microscope is demonstrated and compared to the methods of ion milling and chemical thinning. PCE can produce small area samples for TEM analysis quickly and accurately. Also, the resulting thin regions are surrounded by a built-in stabilizing structure that improves handleability and reduces the occurrence of handling induced fracture.     

Recording of electric signal passing through a pylon in direct skeletal attachment of leg prostheses with neuromuscular control

Direct recordings were made of electrical signals emanating from the muscles in a rabbit's residuum. The signals were transmitted via wires attached on one end to the muscles, and on the other to an external recording system. The cable was held in a titanium tube inside a pylon that had been transcutaneously implanted into the residuum's bone. The tube was surrounded by porous titanium cladding to enhance its bond with the bone and with the skin of the residuum. This study was the first known attempt to merge the technology of direct skeletal attachment of limb prostheses with the technology of neuromuscular control of prostheses, providing a safe and reliable passage of the electrical signal from the muscles inside the residuum to the outside recording system.     

A systems view of temporary housing projects in post‐disaster reconstruction

Natural cataclysms (earthquakes, hurricanes and so forth) become natural disasters when they coincide with vulnerabilities; unfortunately, informal settlements in developing countries are only too often highly vulnerable – a reality amply and unhappily confirmed by available statistics. In this context, reconstruction projects are sandwiched between the short‐term necessity to act promptly and the long‐term requirements of sustainable community development – a situation that is currently reflected in alternative and conflicting paradigms at the policy level.

Adopting a case‐study approach, we explore the use of temporary housing within two post‐disaster environments, where the impact of different organizational designs leads to fundamentally different solutions to the short‐term housing problem.

Our research adopts a dynamic systems approach, associating strategic organizational team design with the development of tactical technical proposals. Two case studies from Turkey and Colombia show that a coherent approach to the sequential stages of providing immediate shelter, temporary housing and permanent reconstruction is not always obtained. The research results emphasize that the performance of reconstruction projects is directly linked to the design and management of the project team.     

Enhanced open-circuit voltage in organic photovoltaic cells with partially chlorinated zinc phthalocyanine

The open-circuit voltage (V _OC) in organic photovoltaic cells has been shown to depend on a number of parameters including the energy levels of the active materials, active layer structure, illumination intensity, and operating temperature. Here we report, a significant increase in V _OC from 0.43 to 0.63 V in zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc)/C₆₀ planar heterojunction photovoltaic cells operated at room temperature under 1 sun AM1.5G solar illumination, when a home-synthesized and purified ZnPc source materials was used instead of a commercially obtained (and home purified) ZnPc source. While the two ZnPc source materials have nearly identical UV–Vis and IR absorption properties, the home-synthesized ZnPc contains chlorinated derivatives and has half of the electrical defect density (on the order of 10¹⁶ cm^?3) as compared to the commercial ZnPc. The improved V _OC in devices with the home-synthesized ZnPc is contributed from both a lower dark current and a higher magnitude of photocurrent. Additional experiments revealed that the different device characteristics are mostly associated with processes occurring at the ZnPc/C₆₀ interface, which we attribute to nongeminate recombination of charges built-up on either side of the interface.