Evaluation of intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting pregnancy rate in dual-purpose cows under tropical conditions.

Embryo transfer (ET) in bovines was created with the purpose of increasing the pregnancy rate (PR) of animals with high genetic value; however, multiple factors have been found to affect the success of this reproductive biotechnology. These factors are frequently grouped in intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Thus, the objective of the present experiments was to assess the effect of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the pregnancy rate under tropical conditions.

From propenolysis to enyne metathesis: tools for expedited assembly of 4,8-azaboranaphthalene and extended polycycles with embedded BN.

The synthesis of BN-containing molecules, which have an interesting isosteric relationship to their parent all-C cores, has drawn a great deal of attention as an avenue to alter and tune molecular function. Nevertheless, many cores with embedded BN are still hard to synthesize, and thus, further effort is required in this direction. Herein, we present an integrated approach to BN-containing polycycles rooted in an exceptionally clean B-N condensation of amines with a tri-allylborane.

Climate-influenced performance and offspring development of merino sheep in a dry temperate-cold valley.

This study aims to explore the effects of climate on the performance and offspring development of aged Merino sheep relocated from an arid, cold environment with harsh grazing conditions to a dry, temperate-cold valley with irrigated pasture production. We utilized time series data from merino sheep in a dry temperate-cold climate in southern Argentina to characterize their growth curves, assess the impact of climate on performance, and compare offspring growth with maternal growth. Our approach involved developing a dynamic model, a non-autonomous differential equation growth curve based on the widely used Brody model.

Asymptomatic Gangrenous Acute Cholecystitis: A Life-Threatening Condition.

Gangrenous gallbladder (GGB) is a life-threatening complication of acute cholecystitis, which happens due to gallbladder (GB) wall ischemia and necrosis. Delaying the diagnosis of GGB is life-threatening and may happen in asymptomatic patients. We present a case of an elderly male patient with a history of gastric carcinoid tumor, with partial gastric resection, who presented with generalized weakness and jaundice.

Right Upper Extremity Idiopathic Primary Lymphedema in a 2-Year-Old Child.

Lymphedema of an extremity at birth can be an alarming finding. Our patient presented with difficulty breathing and productive cough and was found to have primary lymphedema of the right upper extremity since birth. Further testing was mostly unremarkable except for imaging that revealed many splenic lesions.

Spermatozoa Obtained From Alpaca . Effects of Seminal Plasma Added at Post-thawing.

The viscous seminal plasma (SP) is currently a major impediment to the handling of ejaculate and the development of some biotechnologies in South American camelids. The -collected spermatozoa of alpacas is a useful technique to avoid this problem. On the other hand, SP contains a large protein component that has been implicated in the function of spermatozoa within the female reproductive tract.

Spectral Image Processing for Museum Lighting Using CIE LED Illuminants.

This work presents a spectral color-imaging procedure for the detailed colorimetric study of real artworks under arbitrary illuminants. The results demonstrate this approach to be a powerful tool for art and heritage professionals when deciding which illumination to use in museums, or which conservation or restoration techniques best maintain the color appearance of the original piece under any illuminant. Spectral imaging technology overcomes the limitations of common area-based point-measurement devices such as spectrophotometers, allowing a local study either pixelwise or by selected areas.

Scalable Chitosan-Graphene Oxide Membranes: The Effect of GO Size on Properties and Cross-Flow Filtration Performance.

Chitosan (CS)-graphene oxide (GO) composite films were fabricated, characterized, and evaluated as pressure-driven water filtration membranes. GO particles were incorporated into a chitosan polymer solution to form a suspension that was cast as a membrane via evaporative phase inversion allowing for scale-up for cross-flow testing conditions. Morphology and composition results for nano and granular GO in the CS matrix indicate that the particle size of GO impacts the internal membrane morphology as well as the structural order and the chemical composition.

Use of dilute ammonia gas for treatment of 1,2,3-trichloropropane and explosives-contaminated soils.

Laboratory studies were performed to test a novel reactive gas process for in-situ treatment of soils containing halogenated propanes or explosives. A soil column study, using a 5% ammonia-in-air mixture, established that the treatment process can increase soil pH from 7.5 to 10.

Depleted Uranium Toxicity, Accumulation, and Uptake in Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda) and Aristida purpurea (Purple Threeawn).

Yuma Proving Grounds (YPG) in western Arizona is a testing range where Depleted uranium (DU) penetrators have been historically fired. A portion of the fired DU penetrators are being managed under controlled conditions by leaving them in place. The widespread use of DU in armor-penetrating weapons has raised environmental and human health concerns.

Evaluation of the Destruction of the Harmful Cyanobacteria, Microcystis aeruginosa, with a Cavitation and Superoxide Generating Water Treatment Reactor.

Cyanobacterial/Harmful Algal Blooms are a major issue for lakes and reservoirs throughout the U.S.A.

Heat-activated persulfate oxidation of PFOA, 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate, and PFOS under conditions suitable for in-situ groundwater remediation.

PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) oxidation (0.121-6.04 μM) by heat-activated persulfate was evaluated at 20-60 °C with 4.

Complexation of lead by Bermuda grass root exudates in aqueous media.

Exudates produced from Bermuda grass roots were collected in deionized water from sterilized Bermuda grass sod at 3-day intervals over a period of 15 days. Exudates were analyzed for total organic carbon, and characterized via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Exudate samples were adjusted to pH values of 4.

Transcriptomics of cryophilic Saccharomyces kudriavzevii reveals the key role of gene translation efficiency in cold stress adaptations.

Background: Comparative transcriptomics and functional studies of different Saccharomyces species have opened up the possibility of studying and understanding new yeast abilities. This is the case of yeast adaptation to stress, in particular the cold stress response, which is especially relevant for the food industry. Since the species Saccharomyces kudriavzevii is adapted to grow at low temperatures, it has been suggested that it contains physiological adaptations that allow it to rapidly and efficiently acclimatise after cold shock.

A novel carotenoid cleavage activity involved in the biosynthesis of Citrus fruit-specific apocarotenoid pigments.

Citrus is the first tree crop in terms of fruit production. The colour of Citrus fruit is one of the main quality attributes, caused by the accumulation of carotenoids and their derivative C30 apocarotenoids, mainly β-citraurin (3-hydroxy-β-apo-8'-carotenal), which provide an attractive orange-reddish tint to the peel of oranges and Mandarins. Though carotenoid biosynthesis and its regulation have been extensively studied in Citrus fruits, little is known about the formation of C30 apocarotenoids.

Phytotreatment of propellant contamination.

Nitroglycerine (NG) and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) are propellants often found in soil and groundwater at military firing ranges. Because of the need for training with live ammunition, control or cleanup of these contaminants may be necessary for the continued use of these firing ranges. One inexpensive approach for managing sites exposed to these contaminants is the use phytoremedation, particularly using common or native grasses.

Perchlorate analysis using solid-phase extraction cartridges.

Perchlorate is a compound of increasing concern as an environmental contaminant and is being regulated at increasingly stringent levels. Reliable methods are needed to consistently analyze perchlorate at low concentration levels. This research investigates the use of solid-phase extraction cartridges as an alternative to large-volume injection loops to achieve low-level (microg/L level) perchlorate quantitation.

Evaluating factors affecting the permeability of emulsions used to stabilize radioactive contamination from a radiological dispersal device.

Present strategies for alleviating radioactive contamination from a radiological dispersal device (RDD) or dirty bomb involve either demolishing and removing radioactive surfaces or abandoning portions of the area near the release point. In both cases, it is imperative to eliminate or reduce migration of the radioisotopes until the cleanup is complete or until the radiation has decayed back to acceptable levels. This research investigated an alternative strategy of using emulsions to stabilize radioactive particulate contamination.

Treatment of trinitrotoluene by crude plant extracts.

Crude plant extract solutions (spinach and parrotfeather) were prepared and spiked with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) (20 mgl(-1)). 90-h TNT removal by these solutions was compared to controls. Spinach and parrotfeather extract solutions removed 99% and 50% of the initial TNT, respectively; TNT was not eliminated in the controls or in extract solutions where removal activity was deactivated by boiling.

Treatment of munitions in soils using phytoslurries.

Phytoremediation is an established technology for the treatment of explosives in water and soil. This study investigated the possibility of using slurried plants (or phytoslurries) to treat explosives (TNT and RDX). The degradation of TNT in solution using intact and slurried parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum), spinach (Spinicia oleracea), and mustard greens (Brassica juncea) was evaluated.