Effects of Combining Feed Grade Urea and a Slow-release Urea Product on Characteristics of Digestion, Microbial Protein Synthesis and Digestible Energy in Steers Fed Diets with Different Starch:ADF Ratios

Lopez-Soto, M.A.,Rivera-Mendez, C.R.,Aguilar-Hernandez, J.A.,Barreras, A.,Calderon-Cortes, J.F.,Plascencia, A.,Davila-Ramos, H.,Estrada-Angulo, A.,Valdes-Garcia, Y.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.2

As a result of the cost of grains, the replacement of grains by co-products (i.e. DDGS) in feedlot diets is a common practice. This change produces diets that contain a lower amount of starch and greater amount of fibre. Hypothetically, combining feed grade urea (U) with slow release urea (Optigen) in this type of diet should elicit a better synchrony between starch (high-rate of digestion) and fibre (low-rate of digestion) promoting a better microbial protein synthesis and ruminal digestion with increasing the digestible energy of the diet. Four cannulated Holstein steers ($213{\pm}4$ kg) were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to examine the combination of Optigen and U in a finishing diet containing different starch:acid detergent fibre ratios (S:F) on the characteristics of digestive function. Three S:F ratios (3.0, 4.5, and 6.0) were tested using a combination of U (0.80%) and Optigen (1.0%). Additionally, a treatment of 4.5 S:F ratio with urea (0.80% in ration) as the sole source of non-protein nitrogen was used to compare the effect of urea combination at same S:F ratio. The S:F ratio of the diet was manipulated by replacing the corn grain by dried distillers grain with solubles and roughage. Urea combination did not affect ruminal pH. The S:F ratio did not affect ruminal pH at 0 and 2 h post-feeding but, at 4 and 6 h, the ruminal pH decreased as the S:F ratio increased (linear, p<0.05). Ruminal digestion of OM, starch and feed N were not affected by urea combination or S:F ratio. The urea combination did not affect ADF ruminal digestion. ADF ruminal digestion decreased linearly (p = 0.02) as the S:F ratio increased. Compared to the urea treatment (p<0.05) and within the urea combination treatment (quadratic, p<0.01), the flow of microbial nitrogen (MN) to the small intestine and ruminal microbial efficiency were greater for the urea combination at a S:F ratio of 4.5. Irrespective of the S:F ratio, the urea combination improved (2.8%, p = 0.02) postruminal N digestion. As S:F ratio increased, OM digestion increased, but ADF total tract digestion decreased. The combination of urea at 4.5 S:F improved (2%, p = 0.04) the digestible energy (DE) more than expected. Combining urea and Optigen resulted in positive effects on the MN flow and DE of the diet, but apparently these advantages are observed only when there is a certain proportion of starch:ADF in the diet.

Channel Estimation for OFDM-based Indoor Broadband Power Line Communication Systems

Cortés, José A.,Cañete, Francisco J.,Díez, Luis 한국통신학회 2023 Journal of communications and networks Vol.25 No.2

State-of-the-art indoor broadband power line com-munications (PLC) systems use orthogonal frequency divi-sion multiplexing (OFDM) signals with constellations up to10 bits/symbol, which makes channel estimation a key aspect. This paper focuses on the initial channel estimation used in thepayload, which might be further adapted by means of a decision-directed strategy. This initial estimate has to be computed on aper-frame basis and can be accomplished from the preamble, theheader symbol (assuming that it has been correctly decoded) orfrom a combination of both. This work proposes simple channelestimation techniques for this problem and derives their mostappropriate parameters. They are compared with the linearminimum mean squared-error (LMMSE) estimator and otherscommonly used in wireless scenarios by considering both theirperformance and computational complexity. The factors limitingthe performance of the estimators based on the preamble and theheader symbols are analyzed and the implications of the differ-ences between PLC and wireless channels, such as the absenceof fading, in the design of estimation techniques that requireknowledge of the channel statistics are discussed. A performanceanalysis of the considered techniques is accomplished in a set of171 measured indoor PLC channels. Obtained results indicatethat estimators from the header perform better than those basedon the preamble symbols and we provide a computationallysimple estimator that gives nearly optimum performance bycombining estimates from both the preamble and the headersymbols.

Shell evolution of <i>N</i> = 40 isotones towards ⁶⁰Ca: First spectroscopy of ⁶²Ti

Corté,s, M.L.,Rodriguez, W.,Doornenbal, P.,Obertelli, A.,Holt, J.D.,Lenzi, S.M.,Mené,ndez, J.,Nowacki, F.,Ogata, K.,Poves, A.,Rodrí,guez, T.R.,Schwenk, A.,Simonis, J.,Stroberg, S.R. North-Holland Pub. Co 2020 Physics letters. Section B Vol.800 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Excited states in the N = 40 isotone <SUP>62</SUP>Ti were populated via the <SUP>63</SUP>V ( p , 2 p ) <SUP>62</SUP>Ti reaction at ∼200 MeV/nucleon at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory and studied using <I>γ</I>-ray spectroscopy. The energies of the 2 1 + → 0 gs + and 4 1 + → 2 1 + transitions, observed here for the first time, indicate a deformed <SUP>62</SUP>Ti ground state. These energies are increased compared to the neighboring <SUP>64</SUP>Cr and <SUP>66</SUP>Fe isotones, suggesting a small decrease of quadrupole collectivity. The present measurement is well reproduced by large-scale shell-model calculations based on effective interactions, while ab initio and beyond mean-field calculations do not yet reproduce our findings. The shell-model calculations for <SUP>62</SUP>Ti show a dominant configuration with four neutrons excited across the N = 40 gap. Likewise, they indicate that the N = 40 island of inversion extends down to Z = 20 , disfavoring a possible doubly magic character of the elusive <SUP>60</SUP>Ca.</P>

The Output Regulation Problem for Unmodeled Reference/Disturbance Signals Using High-gain Observers

Jesús Alberto Meda-Campaña,Ricardo Ismael Ancona-Bravo,Jonathan Omega Escobedo-Alva,Tonatiuh Hernández-Cortés,Ricardo Tapia-Herrera 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2023 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.21 No.4

Based on the regulation theory and high-gain observers, in this paper, a controller for tracking and/or rejecting unmodeled but measurable signals is designed. Considering that the measurable reference/disturbance signals are bounded and smooth, it is proven that the missing dynamical models for such signals can be estimated by high-gain observers of dimensions equal to or greater than one. Then, the corresponding high-gain observers are embedded into an auxiliary system, known as the exosystem, allowing in this way, that the regulation theory can be applied and the new equations to be solved are also given. Because the exosystem is directly constructed from the high-gain observers, the proposed controller is robust in the sense that it is capable of tracking/rejecting any bounded and smooth signal as long as the estimations of the high-gain observers are sufficiently accurate. The existence conditions for such a controller are given, and numerical experiments are used to illustrate the efficacy of the proposed approach.

Risk Factors for Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: An Overview in a Mexican Population

( Arturo Cortés-tellés ),( Stephanie López-romero ),( Roberto Mancilla-ceballos ),( Diana Lizbeth Ortíz-farías ),( Nelda Núñez-caamal ),( Esperanza Figueroa-hurtado ) 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 2020 Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases Vol.83 No.-

Background: Currently, Mexico ranks third worldwide in mortality due to coronavirus disease pandemic 2019 (COVID-19) and reliable information is scarce, with the available data focused on epidemiological characteristics. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with mortality and outcomes in hospitalized Mexican patients with COVID-19. Methods: We prospectively assessed patients admitted to a COVID-19 reference center in southeast Mexico between March 28 and June 30, 2020. Mortality was defined as survivors or non-survivors and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the association of the clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters with mortality. Results: We included 200 patients with a mean age of 55 years, 69% were men and 72% had at least one chronic comorbidity. Eighty-six patients required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) with an overall mortality rate of 82.5%. Only 51% of the patients with IMV were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), with a survival rate of 27.3%, but only 7.2% for patients without ICU admissions (p=0.014). The multivariate analysis found that a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥9 (odds ratio [OR], 4.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.05-10.53) albumin <3.5 g/dL (OR, 3.76; 95% CI, 1.56-9.07), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level ≥725 U/L (OR, 5.45; 95% CI, 2.36-12.57), and IMV (OR, 64.7; 95% CI, 15.20-275.39) were independent risk factors associated with mortality. Conclusion: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, LDH, albumin, and IMV were independent risk factors for mortality in Mexican patients with COVID-19. Also, the availability of ICU resources is invaluable for better outcomes in critically ill patients. Our results could provide clinical information for timely decision-making in low-and-middle income countries to overcome the pandemic.

Thermo-rheological and tribological properties of novel bio-lubricating greases thickened with epoxidized lignocellulosic materials

E. Cortés-Triviño,C. Valencia,M.A. Delgado,J.M. Franco 한국공업화학회 2019 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.80 No.-

We examined the rheological and tribological behavior of novel formulations based on castor oil andepoxidized cellulose pulp intended for use as biodegradable lubricating greases. Epoxidized cellulosepulp was found to thicken castor oil to a variable extent depending on its modification degree andthe epoxide compound. Greases were subjected to small-amplitude oscillatory shear tests, evaluating thetemperature-dependence of the plateau modulus. In addition, friction coefficient and wear weredetermined in a steel–steel ball-on-three-plates tribological configuration, at two different temperatures(25 and 95 C), generally obtaining smaller values of both parameters when using aromatic diepoxidesinstead of aliphatic to modify the cellulose pulp.

This text is called (an) article: Referring nouns in name-informing quotation

Álvaro Cortés Rodríguez,Holden Härtl,Natascha Raue,Kristina Weissbecker 경희대학교 언어정보연구소 2022 언어연구 Vol.39 No.2

This paper examines quotations involving predicates like call or refer to that inform the addressee about the name of a lexicalized concept. Quotations of this sort often contain names that are accompanied by a determiner, e.g., This phenomenon is called a “sun halo.” We claim that name-informing constructions imply an underspecified copular relation which entails a referring interpretation of the name. Crucially, the determiner is optional in name-informing quotations, cf. This phenomenon is called “sun halo.” Specifically, our studies aim to determine whether the name in name-informing constructions is perceived as referentially more salient when it is accompanied by a determiner. To test this, three experimental studies were conducted, employing forced-choice tasks, acceptability judgment, and self-paced reading paradigms. Those three experimental methods showed non-significant differences indicating an equivalent behavioral treatment of the two alternatives. Therefore, we conclude that names used in name-informing constructions accompanied by a determiner do not differ referentially from uses not involving a determiner. The data thus suggest that the two realizations of name-informing constructions are semantically equivalent and entail identical semantic features.

Assessment of performance of Lévy flight particle swarm optimization in the estimation of heat source

Obed Cortés-Aburto,José-Alfredo Hernández-Pérez,Rafael Rojas-Rodríguez 대한기계학회 2018 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.32 No.8

We performed a performance assessment of a recently developed method: Lévy flight particle swarm optimization. This method, which was developed for optimization problems, has shown good results. There is not an application to inverse problems. Now, it is applied for inverse heat transfer, and results are good enough. In particular, a parameter called “limit” is analyzed for different values (from 10 to 150). It shows that performance of the method for estimating parameters in inverse problems is affected by this parameter. When limit reaches a value of 80, ordinary least squares norm and consuming time begin to exhibit better results.

YPSZ-LSM interactions in spark plasma sintered ceramics

Claudia A. Cortés-Escobedo 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2012 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.13 No.4

The objective of the present study is to analyze the interactions between yttria partially stabilized zirconia and strontiumdoped lanthanum manganite (YPSZ-LSM) and lanthanum manganite (LM), after processing by spark plasma sintering. LSM (La1-xSrxMnO3±δ with x = 0.15) and LM (LaMnO3±δ) were obtained by a mechanosynthesis process using two different types of manganese oxide as precursors: MnO (II) and MnO2 (IV). The manganite powders were mixed with YPSZ in a 1:1 weight ratio. The mixed powders were uni-axial compacted at 16 MPa and spark plasma sintered (SPS) at 1000 ο C and 1300 ο C. Results of the interaction between YPSZ and LSM were obtained and are reported from XRD and SEM analyses. For samples that have been sintered at 1000 ο C, only those that contain LM and LSM that has been synthesized from manganese (IV) show the formation of lanthanum zirconate; in contrast, all of the samples that have been sintered at 1300 ο C give raise to lanthanum zirconate. Cubic zirconia is present at room temperature in 15% Sr-doped lanthanum manganite mixtures (1300 ο C SPS).

Modelling seismically repaired and retrofitted reinforced concrete shear walls

W. Leonardo Cortés-Puentes,Dan Palermo 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2011 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.8 No.5

The Finite Element Method (FEM) was employed to demonstrate that accurate simulations of seismically repaired and retrofitted reinforced concrete shear walls can be achieved provided a good analysis program with comprehensive models for material and structural behaviour is used. Furthermore, the analysis tool should have the capability to retain residual damage experienced by the original structure and carry it forward in the repaired and retrofitted structure. The focus herein is to provide quick, simple,but reliable modelling procedures for repair and retrofitting strategies such as concrete replacement, addition of diagonal reinforcing bars, bolting of external steel plates, and bonding of external steel plates and fibre reinforced polymer sheets, thus illustrating versatility in the modelling. Slender, squat, and slender-squat shear walls were investigated. The modelling utilized simple rectangular membrane elements for the concrete, truss bar elements for the steel and FRP retrofitting materials, and bond-link elements for the bonding interface between steel or FRP to concrete. The analyses satisfactorily simulated seismic behaviour, including lateral load capacity, displacement capacity, energy dissipation, hysteretic response, and failure mode.