Effect of Sexual Partners on the Oestrous Behaviour Response in Zebu Cattle (80S Indicus) Following Synchronisation with a Progestagen (Synchro-Mate B)

Cortes, R.,Orihuelal, J.A.,Galina, C.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.4

With the purpose of determining the influence of sexual partners on the oestrous behaviour and to evaluate the accuracy of predicting the time from implant withdrawal to sexual receptivity following a treatment with Synchromate B (SMB), 15 adult Brahman cows were used in each of three phases. During phase I and n, random pairs of animals were induced to display oestrus one pair after the other at daily intervals, while in phase III, cows were induced alternately, every other day, one cow on the 1st day, two on the 3rd, one on the 5th, two on the 7th until all cows were treated. Sixty six percent of the cows in phases I and II, and 80% in phase III came into oestrous after treatment. The interval between implant withdrawal and, expected and observed oestrous was statistically different in all phases. Clustering of oestrous was evident. Cows displayed sexual receptivity within a. range of -24 to +96; -24 to +72 and -216 to +192 hours after implant withdrawal for the three phases, respectively, with a tendency for cows treated first (within treatments), to delay their oestrus signs and vice versa. In phase III, four cows showed oestrous behaviour with the implant in place. These in spite of not observing pre-ovulatory follicles. Correlation values of 0.99, 0.93 and 0.90 (P<0.05) were found respectively among treatments, between the number of cows coming into oestrus and the number of mounts observed. These findings suggest that there are social and behavioural factors in a herd that may override exogenous synchronisation treatments.

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>

WOx nanoclusters highly dispersed on titania nanofibers

C. Angeles-Chavez,M.A. Cortes-Jácome,J.A. Toledo-Antonio 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2008 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.9 No.5

WOx-TiO2 catalysts with different W contents on titanium oxide nanofibers were prepared by impregnation of (NH4)2WO4 aqueous solution and annealed in air at 400 oC. X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and Raman spectroscopy were used for chemical and structural characterization. The results revealed that the support consisted of β-titanium oxide nanofibers with WOx species highly dispersed on the nanofibers saturating the surface at a concentration around 30 wt%. With an increase in the W concentration to 40 and 50 wt%, a crystalline WO3 phase segregates from the support, growing as large WO3 crystallites, whereas the support remains homogeneously decorated by WOx nanoclusters with dimensions around 1.0 nm. The W atoms remained octahedrally coordinated with a W = O Raman vibrating band at 974 cm−1. WOx-TiO2 catalysts with different W contents on titanium oxide nanofibers were prepared by impregnation of (NH4)2WO4 aqueous solution and annealed in air at 400 oC. X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and Raman spectroscopy were used for chemical and structural characterization. The results revealed that the support consisted of β-titanium oxide nanofibers with WOx species highly dispersed on the nanofibers saturating the surface at a concentration around 30 wt%. With an increase in the W concentration to 40 and 50 wt%, a crystalline WO3 phase segregates from the support, growing as large WO3 crystallites, whereas the support remains homogeneously decorated by WOx nanoclusters with dimensions around 1.0 nm. The W atoms remained octahedrally coordinated with a W = O Raman vibrating band at 974 cm−1.

Thermal shock resistance of mullite/Sr-celsian/zirconia composites

Rodríguez-Salazar P.,Almanza-Robles J. M.,Cortés-Hernández D. A.,Escobedo-Bocardo J. C. 한국세라믹학회 2022 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.59 No.6

The thermal shock resistance of novel mullite /Sr-celsian /zirconia composites was studied. The eff ect of the Sr-celsian (15, 20, 25 wt.%) and ZrO 2 (5, 15, 25 wt.%) amounts on the thermal shock resistance, was evaluated. The composites were obtained at 1450 °C. Thermal shock resistance was performed by heating samples up to a selected temperature (∆ T = 200–1000 °C) and then suddenly immersed in water. After testing, the bending strength was evaluated and the results were statistically analyzed using Minitab with a confi dence level of 0.05. Pareto charts showed that Sr-celsian and zirconia content have the highest infl uence on fl exural strength after thermal shock. The highest thermal shock resistance was obtained for the composites with the highest amount of zirconia and Sr-celsian. Most of the composites showed a decrease in strength of around 75%. The strength of the composites with 20 or 25 wt.% of celsian and 25 wt.% zirconia increased at ∆ T of 1000 °C. The Pareto chart for these composites showed that zirconia has the highest eff ect on strength. A change in expansion is shown between 800 and 900 °C, indicating the transformation of monoclinic to tetragonal zirconia. This transformation generates microc- racks that defl ect cracks generated during thermal stress. Also, residual stresses are generated during cooling which plays a role in absorbing the energy of a generated crack. The strontium celsian forms an interlocked microstructure that improves strength. These composites are promising materials for applications in which sudden and extreme temperature changes occur.

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.

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.

Beta Decay Studies of Neutron Rich Nuclei Using Total Absorption Gamma-ray Spectroscopy and Delayed Neutron Measurements

J. L. Tain,A. Algora,E. Estevez,B. Rubio,E. Valencia,D. Jordan,J. Aysto,T. Eronen,A. Jokinen,I. Moore,H. Pentilla,J. Riisanen,L. Batist,M. Bowry,M. Bunce,W. Gelletly,R. Caballero,G. Cortes,B. Gomez-Ho 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.59 No.23

A complete characterisation of the β-decay of neutron-rich nuclei can be obtained from the measurement of β-delayed gamma rays and, whenever the process is energetically possible, β-delayed neutrons. The accurate determination of the β-intensity distribution and the β-delayed neutron emission probability is of great relevance in the fields of reactor technology and nuclear astrophysics. A programme for combined measurements using the total absorption gamma-ray spectroscopy technique and both neutron counters and neutron time-of-flight spectrometers is presented.

The SAMI Galaxy Survey: observing the environmental quenching of star formation in GAMA groups

Schaefer, A L,Croom, S M,Scott, N,Brough, S,Allen, J T,Bekki, K,Bland-Hawthorn, J,Bloom, J V,Bryant, J J,Cortese, L,Davies, L J M,Federrath, C,Fogarty, L M R,Green, A W,Groves, B,Hopkins, A M,Konstant Oxford University Press 2019 MONTHLY NOTICES- ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY Vol.483 No.3

Influence of Protein and Energy Level in Finishing Diets for Feedlot Hair Lambs: Growth Performance, Dietary Energetics and Carcass Characteristics

Rios-Rincon, F.G.,Estrada-Angulo, A.,Plascencia, A.,Lopez-Soto, M.A.,Castro-Perez, B.I.,Portillo-Loera, J.J.,Robles-Estrada, J.C.,Calderon-Cortes, J.F.,Davila-Ramos, H. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.1

Forty-eight Pelibuey${\times}$Katahdin male intact lambs ($23.87{\pm}2.84$ kg) were used in an 84-d feeding trial, with six pens per treatment in a $2{\times}2$ factorial design arrangement. The aim of the study was to evaluate the interaction of two dietary energy levels (3.05 and 2.83 Mcal/kg ME) and two dietary protein levels (17.5% and 14.5%) on growth performance, dietary energetics and carcass traits. The dietary treatments used were: i) High protein-high energy (HP-HE); ii) High protein-low energy (HP-LE); iii) Low protein-high energy (LP-HE), and iv) Low protein-low energy (LP-LE). With a high-energy level, dry matter intake (DMI) values were 6.1% lower in the low-protein diets, while with low-energy, the DMI values did not differ between the dietary protein levels. Energy levels did not influence the final weight and average daily gain (ADG), but resulted in lower DMI values and higher gain efficiencies. No effects of protein level were detected on growth performance. The observed dietary net energy (NE) ratio and observed DMI were closer than expected in all treatments and were not affected by the different treatments. There was an interaction (p<0.03) between energy and protein level for kidney-pelvic and heart fat (KPH), KPH was higher in lambs fed high energy and high protein diet but not in high energy and low protein diet. The KPH was increased (20.2%, p = 0.01) in high-energy diets, while fat thickness was increased (21.7%, p = 0.02) in high-protein diets. Therefore, it is concluded that dietary energy levels play a more important role in feed efficiency than protein levels in finishing lambs with a high-energy diet (>2.80 Mcal/kg ME). Providing a level of protein above 14.5% does not improves growth-performance, dietary energetics or carcass dressing percentage.