Distributed and Nonsteady-State Model of an Air Cooler Working with R22 and R410A

R. O. Nunes,L. F. N. Castro,L. Machado,R. N. N. Koury 대한설비공학회 2016 International Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refr Vol.24 No.2

The restrictions imposed by Montreal Protocol for use of CFCs fluids and Kyoto Protocol to HCFCs have motivated researchers and the industry to seek new alternatives. Within this context, R410A has emerged as one of the most likely replacement of R22. The purpose of this work is to develop a numerical model of an air cooler to simulate its behavior operating under dynamic conditions loaded with R22 or R410A refrigerant. The model divides the air cooler in volumes control in which mass, energy, and momentum balance equations are applied and solved. Theoretical data obtained by model simulations repeated tendencies observed in experimental data taken from literature. Model simulations have also shown that for a step change in the inlet refrigerant mass flow, the superheating response of air cooler is almost the same when it is working with R22 or R410A refrigerant.

Development of an experimental apparatus and protocol for determining antimicrobial activities of gaseous plant essential oils

Seo, H.S.,Beuchat, L.R.,Kim, H.,Ryu, J.H. Elsevier Science Publishers 2015 International journal of food microbiology Vol.215 No.-

There is a growing interest in the use of naturally-occurring antimicrobial agents such as plant essential oils (EOs) to inhibit the growth of hazardous and spoilage microorganisms in foods. Gaseous EOs (EO gases) have many potential applications in the food industry, including use as antimicrobial agents in food packaging materials and sanitizing agents for foods and food-contact surfaces, and in food processing environments. Despite the potentially beneficial applications of EO gases, there is no standard method to evaluate their antimicrobial activities. Thus, the present study was aimed at developing an experimental apparatus and protocol to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal lethal concentration (MLC) of EO gases against microorganisms. A sealed experimental apparatus was constructed for simultaneous evaluation of antimicrobial activities of EO gases at different concentrations without creating concentration gradients. A differential medium was then evaluated in which a color change allowed for the determination of growth of glucose-fermenting microorganisms. Lastly, an experimental protocol for the assessment of MIC and MLC values of EO gases was developed, and these values were determined for 31 EO gases against Escherichia coli O157:H7 as a model bacterium. Results showed that cinnamon bark EO gas had the lowest MIC (0.0391μl/ml), followed by thyme-thymol EO gas (0.0781μl/ml), oregano EO gas (0.3125μl/ml), peppermint EO gas (0.6250μl/ml), and thyme-linalool EO gas (0.6250μl/ml). The order of the MLC values of the EO gases against the E. coli O157:H7 was thyme-thymol (0.0781μl/ml)<cinnamon bark (0.1563μl/ml)<oregano (0.3125μl/ml)<peppermint (0.6250μl/ml)=thyme-linalool (0.6250μl/ml). The experimental apparatus and protocol enable rapid and accurate determination of the MIC and MLC values of EO gases and perhaps other types of gaseous antimicrobial agents.

A comparison of liveweight gain of lambs weaned early onto a herb-clover mixed sward and weaned conventionally onto a ryegrass-clover pasture and herb-clover mixed sward

W.E.M.L.J. Ekanayake,R.A. Corner-Thomas,L. M. Cranston,P.R. Kenyon,S.T. Morris 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.2

Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify the impact of early weaning of lambs at approximately seven weeks of age onto a herb-clover mix on the liveweight gain of lambs and their dams. Methods: In 2015, twin-born lambs that weighed a minimum of 16 kg (n = 134) were randomly allocated to one of three treatments: i) Early-weaned (58 days after the midpoint of lambing) onto an unrestricted allowance (>1,200 kg dry matter/ha) of herb-clover mix (HerbEW); ii) Lambs+dams unweaned onto an unrestricted allowance of herb-clover mix until conventional weaning (95 days after the midpoint of lambing) (HerbCW); iii) Lambs+ dams unweaned onto an unrestricted allowance of grass-clover pasture until conventional weaning (GrassCW). In 2016, twin-born lambs that weighed a minimum of 16 kg (n = 170) were randomly allocated to one of four treatments: i), ii), iii) (similar to 2015) and iv) Lambs+ dams unweaned onto a restricted allowance (<1,200 kg dry matter/ha) of grass-clover pasture until conventional weaning (93 days after the midpoint of lambing) (Restricted-GrassCW). Results: In 2015, liveweight gain from L58 to L95 of HerbCW and GrassCW lambs did not differ (p>0.05), but were greater than HerbEW lambs. In 2016, HerbCW lambs had greater (p<0.05) liveweight gains from L51 to L93 than GrassCW followed by HerbEW and Restricted-GrassCW lambs. In 2015, liveweight gain from L58 to L95 of HerbEW ewes were greater than both GrassCW and HerbCW ewes while in 2016, liveweight gain of from L51 to L93 GrassCW and HerbCW ewes did not differ (p>0.05) but were greater (p<0.05) than those of HerbEW and Restricted-GrassCW ewes. Conclusion: These results indicate that when grass-clover pasture supply can be maintained at unrestricted intake level, there may be no benefit of weaning lambs early. However, at restricted pasture conditions lambs can achieve greater liveweight gains when weaned early onto a herb-clover mix.

Effects of the novel angiotensin II receptor type I antagonist, fimasartan on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Han, J.,Park, S.J.,Thu, V.T.,Lee, S.R.,Long, L.T.,Kim, H.K.,Kim, N.,Park, S.W.,Jeon, E.S.,Kim, E.J.,Yoon, C.H.,Cho, G.Y.,Choi, D.J. Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press 2013 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY Vol.168 No.3

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effect of fimasartan, a newly developed angiotensin II receptor type I blocker (ARB), against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and to identify the mechanism by which it reduces mitochondrial damage. Methods: Fimasartan was administered intravenously to Sprague-Dawley rats (3mg/kg), cardiomyocytes (50μM), and H9c2 cells (50μM) before ischemia or hypoxia. Myocardial infarction (MI), echocardiograms, DNA fragmentation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP in situ nick-end labeling, immunoblotting, oxygen consumption, confocal microscopic appearance, and L-type Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> current (I<SUB>Ca,L</SUB>) were then assessed. Results: Fimasartan pretreatment remarkably reduced the rate of MI and improved cardiac performance well after I/R (n=9/group). Fimasartan also reduced apoptotic cell death both in vivo and in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-treated H9c2 cells (n=5~8/group). H/R-induced mitochondrial O<SUB>2</SUB><SUP>-</SUP> production and collapse of membrane potential were markedly attenuated in fimasartan-treated cardiomyocytes (n=4~6/group). Additionally, mitochondrial Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> overload during reoxygenation was suppressed by fimasartan (n=4~6/group), and this was found to be possibly related to the inhibition of I<SUB>Ca,L</SUB> and mitochondrial Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> uniporter. Furthermore, fimasartan pretreatment increased phosphorylations of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (n=5~7/group), decreased pro-apoptotic p53 levels, and increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 levels (n=4) during reperfusion. Conclusions: Fimasartan preconditioning has the potential to modulate Bcl-2 and suppress I/R-induced Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> overload by inhibiting I<SUB>Ca,L</SUB> and MCU. These beneficial effects could prevent the mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis accompanied by I/R.

The Effects of Two Preservatives on Peroxidase Activity and Total Protein Content in Strelitzia reginae during Cold Storage

Marcos R da S Vieira,Luiz G M Pessoa,Walter S E Junior,Ygor H Leal,Luzia F da Silva,Rafael C Silva,Eduardo S dos Santos,Thialla L Amorim,Damina C de Medeiros 한국원예학회 2016 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.57 No.2

This study aimed to assess changes in peroxidase activity and total protein content of cut flowers of Strelitzia reginae that were treated with the chemical preservatives 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) or chlorine during cold storage. The bases of the cut flowers were immersed in 1.5 L of tap water with 48 h pulsing treatments (a control with no chemical preservatives (0 mg·L-1, 100 mg·L-1 chlorine, 250 mg·L-1 8-HQC or 500 mg·L-1 8-HQC) during cold storage at 10.5°C and 90% relative humidity. The solutions were then replaced with tap water and the cut flowers remained in cold storage for 12 days. For biochemical characterization of peroxidase activity and total protein content, tissue samples (sepals, petals, stems, and bracts) were collected and analyzed at 0, 4, 8, and 12 days after treatment. There was an increase in peroxidase activity in petals, stems, and bracts and a decrease in total protein content, regardless of the treatment used. In this experiment, therefore, differences in peroxidase activity and total protein content due to treatments with 8-HQC or chlorine were not identified.

Genotype-phenotype Analysis of Paraoxonase 1 in Schizophrenic Patients Treated with Atypical Antipsychotics

Denis Pavăl,Bogdan Nemeș,Răzvan L. Rusu,Eleonora Dronca 대한정신약물학회 2018 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.16 No.1

Objective: Recent studies suggest a possible involvement of low paraoxonase 1 (PON1) enzyme activities in the association between schizophrenia, treatment with atypical antipsychotics and increased cardiovascular (CVD) risk. In the present study, we aimed at investigating the PON1 status in a group of schizophrenic patients treated with either olanzapine or other antipsychotic, as compared to a group of healthy control participants. Methods: We assessed the arylesterase (AREase) and paraoxonase (POase) activities of PON1, as well as three common polymorphisms of PON1 gene (Q192R, L55M, −108C>T). Results: We found significantly lower (−13.3%) AREase activity in schizophrenic patients, along with significantly lower (−18.2%) POase activity in olanzapine-treated patients with QQ genotype. Furthermore, we found a significant difference between groups in L55M polymorphism distribution, whereas Q192R and −108C>T polymorphisms distributions were similar. Conclusion: We identified the olanzapine-treated patients with QQ genotype as having the lowest PON1 (POase) activity, providing a possible way of identifying schizophrenic patients exposed to the greatest risk of CVD.

Aqueous extract of Piper betle L. leaf and Areca catechu L. nut protects against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures and positively modulates cognitive function in adult Zebrafish

Abhishek P. R. Nadig,Suman,M. Sahyadri,Seema Mehdi,K. L. Krishna 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2023 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.23 No.4

Piper betle L. (BL) is a popular medicinal plant in Asia. BL has been used as a traditional medicine to treat various health conditions. Areca catechu L. nut (AN) is an important traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used since antiquity. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological illness that affects millions of people. Cognitive dysfunction and abnormal behavior are the alarming co-morbidities of epilepsy. This study aims to investigate the anti-epileptic and cognitive improvement effects of Aqueous extract of Piper betle L. (AqEBL) and Aqueous extract of Areca catechu L. nut (AqEAN) against Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced epilepsy associated cognitive dysfunction in adult Zebrafish (ZF). The extract was subjected to liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry analysis to identify its bioactive compounds. Further, molecular docking studies were carried out to understand the binding mode of various components of AqEBL and AqEAN within the active site of the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor β3 subunit ( GABAA subunit β3). The epilepsy-associated cognitive functions were assessed by behavioral studies including, seizure-score phenotype, T-maze, color recognition, and open field test; biochemical studies including brain antioxidant status and oxidative stress indices, acetylcholine esterase activity, neurotransmitters expression levels, and histopathology study in ZF model. It was evidenced in the current study that AqEBL and AqEAN have the potential to ameliorate seizure-like behavior through the GABAA receptor pathway and improve cognitive abilities. These data indicate that AqEBL and AqEAN may be potential options for epilepsy associated cognitive impairment.

De novo Regeneration of Fertile Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Plants

Albino Margareth M.C.,Vianna Giovanni R.,Falcao Rosana,Aragao Francisco J.L. The Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology 2005 Plant molecular biology and biotechnology research Vol.7 No.4

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants were regenerated via organogenesis from mature embryonic axes, cultured on MS medium supplemented with ildole-3-ecetic acid (IAA) and thidiazuron (TDZ) for one week in the dark. Embryonic axillary regions were excised, longitudinally cut to split the both sides, and cultured for two weeks on MS medium supplemented with IAA and TDZ. The combination 0.5 mg $l^{-1}$ TDZ/0.5 mg $l^{-1}$ IAA presented the higher efficiency in shoot regeneration and the combination 0.5 mg $l^{-1}$ TDZ/0.25 mg $l^{-1}$ IAA presented the higher efficiency in conversion of shoots to plants. Regenerating explants were transferred to MS medium containing 1 mg $l^{-1}$ BAP for shoot development. All elongated shoots were rooted in vitro, presented normal phenotype and produced viable seeds. Histological analysis confirmed the mode of regeneration as de novo shoot organogenesis.

Survival and colonization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 on spinach leaves as affected by inoculum level and carrier, temperature and relative humidity

Choi, S.,Bang, J.,Kim, H.,Beuchat, L.R.,Ryu, J.‐,H Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011 Journal of applied microbiology Vol.111 No.6

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><B>Aims: </B> To determine survival and colonization of <I>Escherichia coli</I> O157:H7 on spinach leaves as affected by inoculum level and carrier, temperature and relative humidity (r.h.).</P><P><B>Methods and Results: </B> Spinach leaves were inoculated with suspensions of <I>E.?coli</I> O157:H7 in distilled water (DW) and 0·1% peptone water (PW) and incubated at 4, 12 and 25°C and 43, 85 and 100% r.h. The number of <I>E.?coli</I> O157:H7 on leaves (5·6 or 1·9 log CFU per leaf) inoculated using DW as a carrier medium increased significantly at 25°C and 100% r.h. within 120 h but remained constant or decreased significantly under other test conditions. <I>E.?coli</I> O157:H7 on leaves (5·4 log CFU per leaf) inoculated using PW as a carrier increased significantly within 72 and 24 h, respectively, at 12 or 25°C and 100% r.h.; counts using a low inoculum (2·2 log CFU per leaf) increased significantly within 24 h at 25°C.</P><P><B>Conclusions: </B> <I>Escherichia coli</I> O157:H7 can colonize on spinach leaves at 12 or 25°C in a 100% r.h. environment. Organic matter in the inoculum carrier may provide protection and nutrients which enhance survival and colonization.</P><P><B>Significance and Impact of the Study: </B> Colonization of <I>E.?coli</I> O157:H7 on spinach leaves as affected by organic matter in the inoculum, temperature and r.h. was determined. These observations will be useful when developing strategies to prevent growth of <I>E.?coli</I> O157:H7 on pre‐ and postharvest spinach.</P>

Selection for Duration of Fertility and Mule Duck White Plumage Colour in a Synthetic Strain of Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Liu, H.C.,Huang, J.F.,Lee, S.R.,Liu, H.L.,Hsieh, C.H.,Huang, C.W.,Huang, M.C.,Tai, C.,Poivey, J.P.,Rouvier, R.,Cheng, Y.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.5

A synthetic strain of ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) was developed by introducing genes for long duration of fertility to be used as mother of mule ducklings and a seven-generation selection experiment was conducted to increase the number of fertile eggs after a single artificial insemination (AI) with pooled Muscovy semen. Reciprocal crossbreeding between Brown Tsaiya LRI-2 (with long duration of fertility) and Pekin L-201 (with white plumage mule ducklings) ducks produced the G0. Then G1 were intercrossed to produce G2 and so on for the following generations. Each female duck was inseminated 3 times, at 26, 29, and 32 weeks of age. The eggs were collected for 14 days from day 2 after AI. Individual data regarding the number of incubated eggs (Ie), the number of fertile eggs at candling at day 7 of incubation (F), the total number of dead embryos (M), the maximum duration of fertility (Dm) and the number of hatched mule ducklings (H) with plumage colour were recorded. The selection criterion was the breeding values of the best linear unbiased prediction animal model for F. The results show high percentage of exhibited heterosis in G2 for traits to improve (19.1% for F and 12.9% for H); F with a value of 5.92 (vs 3.74 in the Pekin L-201) was improved in the G2. Heritabilities were found to be low for Ie ($h^2=0.07{\pm}0.03$) and M ($h^2=0.07{\pm}0.01$), moderately low for Dm ($h^2=0.13{\pm}0.02$), of medium values for H ($h^2=0.20{\pm}0.03$) and F ($h^2=0.23{\pm}0.03$). High and favourable genetic correlations existed between F and Dm ($r_g=0.93$), between F and H ($r_g=0.97$) and between Dm and H ($r_g=0.90$). The selection experiment showed a positive trend for phenotypic values of F (6.38 fertile eggs in G10 of synthetic strain vs 5.59 eggs in G4, and 3.74 eggs in Pekin L-201), with correlated response for increasing H (5.73 ducklings in G10 vs 4.86 in G4, and 3.09 ducklings in Pekin L-201) and maximum duration of the fertile period without increasing the embryo mortality rate. The average predicted genetic response for F was 40% of genetic standard deviation per generation of selection. The mule ducklings' feather colour also was improved. It was concluded that this study provided results for a better understanding of the genetics of the duration of fertility traits in the common female duck bred for mule and that the selection of a synthetic strain was effective method of improvement.