Efficient Solar-Thermal Distillation Desalination Device by Light Absorptive Carbon Composite Porous Foam.

Solar-thermal driven desalination based on porous carbon materials has promise for fresh water production. Exploration of high-efficiency solar desalination devices has not solved issues for practical application, namely complicated fabrication, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. Here, direct solar-thermal carbon distillation (DS-CD) tubular devices are introduced that have a facile fabrication process, are scalable, and use an inexpensive but efficient microporous graphite foam coated with carbon nanoparticle and superhydrophobic materials.

A novel framework for analyzing conservation impacts: evaluation, theory, and marine protected areas.

Environmental conservation initiatives, including marine protected areas (MPAs), have proliferated in recent decades. Designed to conserve marine biodiversity, many MPAs also seek to foster sustainable development. As is the case for many other environmental policies and programs, the impacts of MPAs are poorly understood.

Cryopreservation of bull semen: Evolution from egg yolk based to soybean based extenders.

Since the inception of bovine semen cryopreservation, egg yolk and milk based extenders have been used to protect sperm from the detrimental effects of cooling and freezing. In recent years, demand for alternatives to conventional commercial extenders has arisen as the risk of introducing exotic diseases through transporting egg yolk based products has been recognized. Egg yolk can also interfere with sperm evaluation and the presence of particulate material in the extender may reduce fertility.

High-Speed Multiplexed Spatiotemporally Resolved Measurements of Exhaust Gas Recirculation Dynamics in a Multi-Cylinder Engine Using Laser Absorption Spectroscopy.

The need for more environmentally friendly and efficient energy conversion is of paramount importance in developing and designing next-generation internal combustion (IC) engines for transportation applications. One effective solution to reducing emissions of mono-nitrogen oxides (NOx) is exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), which has been widely implemented in modern vehicles. However, cylinder-to-cylinder and cycle-to-cycle variations in the charge-gas uniformity can be a major barrier to optimum EGR implementation on multi-cylinder engines, and can limit performance, stability, and efficiency.

Low-Temperature CO Oxidation over a Ternary Oxide Catalyst with High Resistance to Hydrocarbon Inhibition.

Platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts are the current standard for control of pollutants in automotive exhaust streams. Aside from their high cost, PGM catalysts struggle with CO oxidation at low temperatures (<200 °C) due to inhibition by hydrocarbons in exhaust streams. Here we present a ternary mixed oxide catalyst composed of copper oxide, cobalt oxide, and ceria (dubbed CCC) that outperforms synthesized and commercial PGM catalysts for CO oxidation in simulated exhaust streams while showing no signs of inhibition by propene.

Fast spatially resolved exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) distribution measurements in an internal combustion engine using absorption spectroscopy.

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in internal combustion engines is an effective method of reducing NOx emissions while improving efficiency. However, insufficient mixing between fresh air and exhaust gas can lead to cycle-to-cycle and cylinder-to-cylinder non-uniform charge gas mixtures of a multi-cylinder engine, which can in turn reduce engine performance and efficiency. A sensor packaged into a compact probe was designed, built and applied to measure spatiotemporal EGR distributions in the intake manifold of an operating engine.

Characterization and cryopreservation of semen from endangered markhor goats (Capra falconeri heptneri) with evaluation of reproductive seasonality.

The aims of this study were to determine the reproductive seasonality of four captive markhor goats (Capra falconeri heptneri), to characterize semen collected by electroejaculation, and to compare extenders and processing techniques for semen cryopreservation. Over the course of 1 yr, mean monthly scrotal circumference, serum testosterone, and fecal testosterone were measured and found to be inversely associated with day length. Maximum scrotal circumference (25.

Effect of n-3 fatty acids and α-tocopherol on post-thaw parameters and fatty acid composition of bovine sperm.

Purpose: This study was designed to determine the combined effects of adding source of n-3 fatty acids (FA) and α-tocopherol (vitamin E, VE) to semen extender on freezability and FA composition of Brown Swiss bull sperm.

Methods: Semen samples were collected from 6 Brown Swiss bulls and pooled. In the first trial, semen was divided into 12 groups including 4 levels of n-3 FA (0, 1, 10, 100 ng ml(-1)) and 3 levels of VE (0.

Photon scanning-tunneling microscopy of unstained Mammalian cells and chromosomes.

The photon scanning-tunneling microscope (PSTM) yields optical topographical images of samples that are thin or that are transparent at the wavelength used. A range of sample sizes can be imaged extending to well below the diffraction limit for sufficiently flat samples. But samples of the order of several to many micrometers in size can be analyzed with less-refined resolution if total internal reflection can be made to occur in the sample.

Spermatogenesis in testis xenografts grafted from pre-pubertal Holstein bulls is re-established by stem cell or early spermatogonia.

Xenografting of testis explants into recipient mice has resulted in successful restoration of spermatogenesis in several species. Most studies have utilized neonatal donor tissue, although a few have used prepubertal testes. In Holstein bulls, prepubertal development of the testis occurs between 16 and 32 weeks of age.

Identification, localization, and sequencing of fetal bovine VASA homolog.

The vasa gene, first described in Drosophila, is purported to be important in germ cell development. Vasa is present across several invertebrate and vertebrate taxa, including frogs, fish, chickens, and humans. Vasa, a DEAD (asparagine-glutamine-alanine-asparagine) box protein shown to function as an RNA helicase in vitro, has not been investigated previously in fetal stage cattle.

Heat shock reduces developmental competence and alters spindle configuration of bovine oocytes.

Heat shock may enhance the thermotolerance of, or cause detrimental effects on, a variety of cell types or organisms, depending on the duration and intensity of the thermal challenge. Experiments were designed to investigate the effect of heat shock on the developmental competence and cytoskeletal structures of bovine oocytes following IVF. In Experiment 1, bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were subjected to standard IVM culture conditions for 20 h and were then randomly allocated to groups for heat shock at 42 degrees C for 0 (control), 1, 2, or 4h.

Effect of semen thaw method on conception rate in four large commercial dairy heifer herds.

Semen processed with procedures intended to permit a flexible thaw method is used to breed millions of cows yearly. One method of thawing straws, the "pocket thaw" is used extensively with semen prepared with these procedures. Published field data is lacking for thaw method comparisons with semen processed to permit flexible-thawing.

Prospects for spermatogenesis in vitro.

In recent years, extraordinary progress has been made in a broad range of reproductive technologies, including spermatogonial transplantation in the male. However, effective procedures for the complete recapitulation of spermatogenesis in vitro, including meiosis, have remained elusive. Such procedures have the potential to facilitate (1) mechanistic studies of spermatogenesis, (2) directed genetic modification of the male germ line, and (3) treatment of male factor infertility.

Effect of preparing and loading multiple insemination guns on conception rate in two large commercial dairy herds.

In large herds, inseminators frequently thaw multiple straws of semen and prepare several insemination guns at once. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of breeding order, the order that thawed straws are used, on conception rate in commercial dairy herds. A single professional inseminator, utilizing semen from five suppliers, performed 2629 inseminations over 30 months.

In vitro production of haploid germ cells from fresh or frozen-thawed testicular cells of neonatal bulls.

Improved methods for culturing spermatogenic cells will facilitate the study of spermatogenesis, treatment of male factor infertility, and genetic modification of the male germ line. The objective of this study was to develop a procedure for achieving male germ cell progression through meiosis in vitro. Testes from 3-day-old bulls were decapsulated and seminiferous tubules were dissociated enzymatically to recover Sertoli and germ cells.

Effects of cryopreservation procedures on the cytology and fertilization rate of in vitro-matured bovine oocytes.

The survival and developmental capacity of bovine oocytes after cryopreservation are greatly impaired, possibly due to organelle damage caused by freezing procedures. Distributions of chromosomes, microtubules, and microfilaments in bovine oocytes matured in vitro were examined after cooling, ethylene glycol (EG) exposure, or freezing. Oocytes were incubated after treatment for 20 min or 1 or 3 h, fixed, and evaluated using specific fluorescent probes.

Thermotolerance of IVM-derived bovine oocytes and embryos after short-term heat shock.

A series of experiments were designed to study the effect of elevated temperatures on developmental competence of bovine oocytes and embryos produced in vitro. In experiment 1, the effect of heat shock (HS) by a mild elevated temperature (40.5 degrees C) for 0, 30, or 60 min on the viability of in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes was tested following in vitro fertilization (IVF) and culture.

Partial purification and localization of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase from bovine seminal plasma.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent lipid mediator that is inactivated by platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH). Platelet-activating factor bioactivity has been detected in bovine sperm phospholipids and PAF-AH activity is extraordinarily high in bovine seminal plasma. The purpose of this study was to purify and characterize partially the PAF-AH in bovine seminal plasma.

Antibody directed against plasma membrane components of equine spermatozoa inhibits adhesion of spermatozoa to oviduct epithelial cells in vitro.

Before fertilization, equine spermatozoa adhere to oviduct epithelial cells (OEC) of the mare. The biochemical basis for this adhesion has not been determined. Our objective was to produce an antiserum to block this interaction.

Effects of dietary selenium and vitamin E concentrations on phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase expression in reproductive tissues of pubertal maturing male rats.

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPX) is the second intracellular selenium (Se)-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) identified in mammals. Our objectives were to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E and Se levels on PHGPX activity expression in testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicles of pubertal maturing rats, and the relationship of PHGPX expression with testicular development and sperm quality. Forty Sprague-Dawley male weanling rats (21-d old), were initially fed for 3 wk a torula yeast basal diet (containing 0.

Relationship between androstenedione-induced myometrial contractions and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase in late gestation in pregnant rhesus monkeys.

An association between platelet-activating factor (PAF) and myometrial contractions has been established. Estrogens regulate PAF activity via reduction in the activity of plasma PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), the enzyme that catalyzes PAF inactivation. Administration of androstenedione to pregnant monkeys leads to sustained increases in maternal plasma estradiol (E2), with persistent nocturnal myometrial contractions.

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in seminal plasma from the bull, stallion, rabbit, and rooster.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) acetylhydrolase, which inactivates PAF, has been detected in human and bovine seminal plasma and may represent a mechanism for regulating sperm-derived PAF. This study was designed to characterize further PAF acetylhydrolase in seminal plasma from domestic animal species. Sperm-free seminal plasma from the bull, stallion, rabbit, and rooster was assayed for acetylhydrolase activity based on the release of [3H]acetate from PAF.