Effect of manipulating progesterone before timed artificial insemination on reproductive and endocrine outcomes in high-producing multiparous Holstein cows

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of manipulating progesterone (P4) concentrations before timed artificial insemination (TAI) on reproductive and endocrine outcomes in high-producing Holstein cows. Multiparous lactating Holstein cows (n = 80) were synchronized for first TAI using a Double-Ovsynch protocol and were randomly assigned to receive 25 mg of PGF_2α 1 d after the first GnRH treatment of the Breeding-Ovsynch protocol that included a once-used P4 insert (low-P4 group) or to receive 2 new P4 inserts during the Breeding-Ovsynch protocol (high-P4 group). Blood samples were collected thrice weekly from ?10 to 32 d relative to TAI for all cows and from 32 to 67 d after TAI for pregnant cows and were analyzed for P4 and pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) concentrations. Expression of IFNτ-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) was assessed in blood leukocytes 18 and 20 d after TAI. As expected, P4 concentrations were greater for high-P4 cows than for low-P4 cows from 3 to 8 d before TAI. Incidence of double ovulation was 3-fold greater for low-P4 cows than for high-P4 cows (33 vs. 10%), which resulted in more twin pregnancies 32 d after TAI for low-P4 cows than for high-P4 cows (29 vs. 0%). Low-P4 cows had larger preovulatory follicles at the last GnRH treatment of the Double-Ovsynch protocol and greater P4 concentrations than high-P4 cows after TAI. Relative expression of ISG15 mRNA 18 and 20 d after TAI was greater for low-P4 cows than for high-P4 cows and for pregnant cows than for nonpregnant cows. Overall, PSPB concentrations tended to be greater for low-P4 cows than for high-P4 cows, and pregnant cows had greater P4 concentrations than nonpregnant cows. In summary, cows with low P4 before TAI had increased preovulatory follicle diameter, PSPB concentrations, relative expression of ISG15 mRNA 18 and 20 d after TAI, double ovulations, and twinning compared with cows with high P4 before TAI. Increasing P4 before TAI may effectively decrease double ovulation and twinning in high-producing multiparous Holstein cows.     

Synthesis of high crystalline nickel‐iron hydrotalcite‐like compound as an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

The nickel‐iron hydroxide‐like catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is prepared by an improved coprecipitation method. The crystallization degree of hydrotalcite‐like compound is high, and the lamellar structure is homogeneous with no agglomeration, which helps to build efficient mass‐transfer layer channel of OH^? ions. The NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) electrode shows good performance and stability for OER. The potential of NiFe LDH/CNTs electrode is only 0.592 V (vs HgO/Hg) at 200 mA·cm^?2 in 6 mol·L^?1 potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte, which shows excellent catalytic activity for OER. The NiFe LDH/CNTs electrode works continuously for 620 hours at 200 mA·cm^?2, with the groove voltage only rises 0.1 V.     

Recent Advances in Microalgal Bioactives for Food,Feed, and Healthcare Products: Commercial Potential,Market Space,and Sustainability

To combat food scarcity as well as to ensure nutritional food supply for sustainable living of increasing population, microalgae are considered as innovative sources for adequate nutrition. Currently, the dried biomass, various carotenoids, phycocyanin, phycoerythrin, omega fatty acids, and enzymes are being used as food additives, food coloring agents, and food supplements. Apart from nutritional importance, microalgae are finding the place in the market as “functional foods.” When compared to the total market size of food and feed products derived from all the possible sources, the market portfolio of microalgae‐based products is still smaller, but increasing steadily. On the other hand, the genetic modification of microalgae for enhanced production of commercially important metabolites holds a great potential. However, the success of commercial application of genetically modified (GM) algae will be defined by their safety to human health and environment. In view of this, the present study attempts to highlight the industrially important microalgal metabolites, their production, and application in food, feed, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. The current and future market trends for microalgal products have been thoroughly discussed. Importantly, the safety pertaining to microalgae cultivation and consumption, and regulatory issues for GM microalgae have also been covered.     

双面板非金属孔内渗油研究

双面板非金属孔内渗油是PCB感光阻焊制程中最常见的品质缺陷之一。就双面板非金属孔内渗油的品质问题进行了研究,设计试验对各影响因素进行分析,确定双面板非金属孔内渗油的根本原因及改善方向。     

Genetic parameters of forage dry matter intake and milk produced from forage in Swedish Red and Holstein dairy cows

High-yielding dairy cows are often fed high proportions of cereal grain and pulses. For several reasons, it would be desirable to replace these feed sources with forage, which is not suitable for human consumption. Feeding large amounts of forage to dairy cows could also make dairy production more publicly acceptable in the future. In this study, we estimated genetic parameters for total dry matter intake (DMI), DMI from forage (DMI_For), energy-corrected milk (ECM), and ECM produced from forage (ECM_For). A total of 1,177 lactations from 575 cows of Swedish Red (SR) and Holstein (HOL) dairy breeds were included in the study. Mixed linear animal random regression models were used, with fixed effect of calving season and lactation week nested within parity 1 and 2+, fixed effect of calving year, and random regression coefficients for breeding value (up to linear) and permanent environmental effect (up to quadratic) of the cow. Heritability for DMI and DMI_For was generally higher for HOL than for SR in all-parity data and in later parities; however, the opposite was true for first parity. Heritability for DMI and DMI_For during the first 8 wk averaged 0.11 and 0.15, respectively, in all-parity data for the 2 breeds. Corresponding values for ECM_For and ECM were 0.21 and 0.29, respectively. In first parity, values were 0.32, 0.36, 0.28, and 0.51, respectively. The genetic correlation between DMI and DMI_For was high, above 0.83, and fairly constant across the lactation. The genetic correlation between ECM_For and ECM was close to unity in the later part of lactation for both breeds, but was around 0.8 in the early lactation for both breeds; it decreased for HOL to 0.54 in wk 17. The genetic correlations between DMI and ECM_For and between DMI_For and ECM_For were low and negative for HOL (absolute value ～0.2–0.3), but changed for SR from weakly positive in early lactation to negative values and back to positive toward the end of lactation. For most traits, the correlation between wk 1 and wk 8 into the lactation was very high; the lowest value was for DMI in HOL at 0.81. The genetic correlation between parities was rather high in the first part of the lactation. During the first 8 wk, the correlation was lower for HOL than for SR, except for ECM. We found that DMI_For and ECM_For showed reasonably large heritability, and future work should explore the possibility of genomic evaluations.     

马铃薯渣综合利用研究现状及进展

马铃薯渣是马铃薯淀粉加工产业的一种副产物,常被作为垃圾废弃掉,造成资源浪费和环境污染。实际上,马铃薯渣中含有许多有价值的成分,具有被开发利用的潜力。目前,马铃薯渣的综合利用主要集中在以下几方面:提取膳食纤维和果胶;制备高蛋白高能量饲料;制备新型黏合剂、胶黏剂和吸附材料;制备燃料酒精、生物质混合燃料和能量气体;制备种曲、醋、酱油及可食性膜等。综述了马铃薯渣目前综合利用的研究现状及进展。     

双层复合衬砌隧洞运行安全预警监控指标研究

双层复合衬砌结构是一种新型隧洞衬砌结构型式,其外衬承受外部水土压力,内衬承受内水压力,体现了"结构联合、功能独立"的新型输水隧洞设计理念,目前该衬砌型式已成功应用到我国北方某输水工程中,如何确定双层复合衬砌隧洞安全预警监控指标是工程运行管理的重点和难点。本文基于以往研究成果,提出了工程结构监控指标及监控阈值确定的统一技术路径;根据双层复合衬砌结构受力特点,开展可能破坏模式分析;基于破坏模式与监测量的敏感性分析,提出层间渗压作为双层复合衬砌隧洞结构核心监控指标,内衬处的钢筋计测值以及外衬处的测缝计测值作为辅助监控指标,为双层复合衬砌隧洞安全运行提供借鉴和参考。     

Distribution-free double-sampling precedence monitoring scheme to detect unknown shifts in the location parameter

In most applications, parametric monitoring schemes are used to monitor the majority of industrial and nonindustrial processes in order to improve the quality of the outputs or services. However, parametric monitoring schemes are known to underperform when the normality assumption is not met or when there is not enough information about the symmetry or asymmetry nature of the process underlying distribution. Hence, in this paper, a new nonparametric Phase II Shewhart-type double-sampling (DS) monitoring scheme based on the precedence statistic is proposed in order to efficiently monitor quality processes when the underlying process distribution departs from normality. The performance is investigated using the average run length (ARL), standard deviation of the run length (SDRL), expected ARL (EARL) and expected average number of observations to signal (EANOS), and the average sample sizes (ASS) metrics. The latter metrics are computed using Monte Carlo simulation and exact formulae. In general, it is shown that the new DS precedence scheme outperforms the existing basic Shewhart precedence scheme with and without supplementary runs rules in many situations. A real-life illustrative example based on a filling process of milk bottles is provided to demonstrate the application and implementation of the new DS precedence monitoring scheme.     

Tailoring the hydrophilic and hydrophobic reaction fields of the electrode interface on single crystal Pt electrodes for hydrogen evolution/oxidation reactions

Interfacial hydrophobic/hydrophilic reaction fields significantly affect various reactions at the electrode surface. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) have been investigated on single crystal Pt electrodes modified with hydrophobic/hydrophilic cations and anion-exchange copolymers in alkaline solutions. In alkali metal hydroxide solutions, Pt (110) exhibits the highest HER/HOR activity in the low-index planes of Pt. On the low-index planes of Pt, the hydrophilicity of the alkali metal cation in the supporting electrolyte activates the HER/HOR depending on its hydration energy. Hydrophilic cations at the interface facilitate the extraction of hydrogen from the hydrated water. The modification of anion-exchange copolymers with a hydrophobic skeleton on Pt (110) further enhanced the HER/HOR activity. The hydrogen bonding network formed around the hydrophobic species facilitated the mobility of water molecules and the OH⁻ as the reactant/product of the HER/HOR. Appropriately forming hydrophilic and hydrophobic reaction fields at the interface improved the HER/HOR activity.