Virucidal efficacy of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) against African swine fever virus and avian influenza virus

This study evaluated the virucidal efficacy of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) against African swine fever virus (ASFV) and avian influenza virus (AIV), according to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) guidelines for efficacy testing of veterinary disinfectants. AEW (pH 5.0–6.5) was prepared using a commercially available “Electrolyzed Water Generator” with a free chlorine concentration (FCC) of 5–140 ppm, and its efficiency in reducing the titer of ASFV and AIV was tested in a suspension under low- and high-level organic soiling. Under low-level organic soiling conditions, AEW with FCC ≥40 ppm was effective against ASFV; under high-level organic soiling conditions, AEW with FCC ≥80 ppm was effective against ASFV. Under low-level organic soiling conditions, AEW with FCC ≥60 ppm was effective against AIV; under high-level organic soiling conditions, AEW with FCC ≥100 ppm was effective against AIV. The virucidal effect of AEW seemed dependent on the FCC and the presence of organic soiling. Based on these data, we recommend the following minimum FCCs in AEW treatment for routine disinfection in veterinary field under low- and high-level organic soiling conditions: for ASFV, 50 ppm and 100 ppm; and for AIV, 75 ppm and 125 ppm, respectively. In conclusion, the virucidal effects of AEW against ASFV and AIV emphasize its potential utility as a disinfectant, and we suggest considering organic soiling conditions while using AEW for implementing effective control measures for field applications.     

Analysis of the dimensionless torque in cone drum false twisting mechanism

An investigation of the dimensionless torque in the newly developed cone drum twister texturing mechanism is reported. The cone drum twister is one of the outer surface contacting friction-twisting devices in false-twist texturing. In this cone drum twister, a filament yarn passes over the surface of the cone drum that rotates by the passing yarn without a special driving device. This research is composed of the theoretical analysis of the false twisting mechanism and the experimental analysis at room temperature. The equations have been derived which shows interrelationship of the conical angle of cone drum, the wrapping angle, the drag angle, and the yarn helix angle. Theoretical values of dimensionless torque were calculated and were compared with the experimental results. It is shown that, as the conical angle and the projected wrapping angle increased, the dimensionless torque also increased. But the conical angle was reached to 30.75°, the dimensionless torque decreased.     

Constitutive equations based on cell modeling method for 3D circular braided glass fiber reinforced composites

The cell modeling homogenization method to derive the constitutive equation considering the microstructures of the fiber reinforced composites has been previously developed for composites with simple microstructures such as 2D plane composites and 3D rectangular shaped composites. Here, the method has been further extended for 3D circular braided composites, utilizing B-spline curves to properly describe the more complex geometry of 3D braided composites. For verification purposes, the method has been applied for orthotropic elastic properties of the 3D circular braided glass fiber reinforced composite, in particular for the tensile property. Prepregs of the specimen have been fabricated using the 3D braiding machine through RTM (resin transfer molding) with epoxy as a matrix. Experimentally measured uniaxial tensile properties agreed well with predicted values obtained for two volume fractions.     

Anti-lipopolysaccharide antibody administration mitigates ruminal lipopolysaccharide release and depression of ruminal pH during subacute ruminal acidosis challenge in Holstein bull cattle

The effects of anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antibody on rumen fermentation and LPS activity were investigated during subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) challenge. Eleven Holstein cattle (164 ± 14 kg) were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Cattle were fed a roughage diet on days −11 to −1 (pre-challenge) and day 2 (post-challenge), and a high-grain diet on days 0 and 1 (SARA challenge). For 14 days, 0-, 2-, or 4-g of anti-LPS antibody was administered once daily through a rumen fistula. Ruminal pH was measured continuously, and rumen fluid and blood samples were collected on days −1, 0, 1, and 2. Significantly lower ruminal LPS activity on day 1 was observed in the 2- and 4-g groups than those in the 0-g group. In addition, significantly higher 1-hr mean ruminal pH on SARA challenge period (days 0 and 1) was identified in the 4-g group than in the 0-g group. However, rumen fermentation measurements (total volatile fatty acid [VFA], VFA components, NH₃-N and lactic acid) and peripheral blood metabolites (glucose, free fatty acid, beta-hydroxybutyrate, total cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase) were not different among the groups during the experimental periods. Therefore, anti-LPS antibody administration mitigates LPS release and pH depression without the depression of rumen fermentation and peripheral blood metabolites during SARA challenge in Holstein cattle.     

Nonsteady plane-strain ideal forming without elastic dead-zone

Ever since the ideal forming theory has been developed for process design purposes, application has been limited to sheet forming and, for bulk forming, to two-dimensional steady flow. Here, application for the non-steady case was made under the plane-strain condition. In the ideal flow, material elements deform following the minimum plastic work path (or mostly proportional true strain path) so that the ideal plane-strain flow can be effectively described using the two-dimensional orthogonal convective coordinate system. Besides kinematics, schemes to optimize preform shapes for a prescribed final part shape and also to define the evolution of shapes and frictionless boundary tractions were developed. Discussions include numerical calculations made for a real automotive part under forging.     

Effect of Tibial Tuberosity Advancement on Femorotibial Contact Mechanics and Stifle Kinematics

Objective— To evaluate the effects of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) on femorotibial contact mechanics and 3-dimensional kinematics in cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifles of dogs.
Study Design— In vitro biomechanical study.
Animals— Unpaired pelvic limbs from 8 dogs, weighing 28–35 kg.
Methods— Digital pressure sensors placed subjacent to the menisci were used to measure femorotibial contact force, contact area, peak and mean contact pressure, and peak pressure location with the limb under an axial load of 30% body weight and a stifle angle of 135°. Three-dimensional static poses of the stifle were obtained using a Microscribe digitizing arm. Each specimen was tested under normal, CrCL-deficient, and TTA-treated conditions. Repeated measures analysis of variance with a Tukey post hoc test ( P <.05) was used for statistical comparison.
Results— Significant disturbances to all measured contact mechanic parameters were evident after CrCL transection, which corresponded to marked cranial tibial subluxation and internal tibial rotation in the CrCL-deficient stifle. No significant differences in any contact mechanic and kinematic parameters were detected between normal and TTA-treated stifles.
Conclusion— TTA eliminates craniocaudal stifle instability during simulated weight-bearing and concurrently restores femorotibial contact mechanics to normal.
Clinical Relevance— TTA may mitigate the progression of stifle osteoarthritis in dogs afflicted with CrCL insufficiency by eliminating cranial tibial thrust while preserving the normal orientation of the proximal tibial articulating surface.     

Physicochemical Properties of Sonicated Mung Bean,Potato, and Rice Starches

Mung bean, potato, and rice starch solutions (5%, w/w) were sonicated for up to 5 min after heating, and their physicochemical properties were investigated. Alkaline viscosities, including the apparent and inherent viscosities of starches, decreased. The residues of the swollen starch granules after pasting and centrifugation were also reduced prominently by sonication. Average degree of polymerization did not change with sonication. The starch paste became more transparent, and the hot paste viscosity measured at 70°C decreased remarkably. Results indicate that changes in the physicochemical properties of starch were induced by the disruption of swollen granules rather than the breakage of glucosidic linkages with sonication.