Fertility and testicular fatty acid composition in the chicken as influenced by vitamin E and ethoxyquin

The fatty acid composition of testicular lipids has been determined and related to fertility data from groups of dubbed White Leghorn cockerels after a 50-week feeding period on rations containing 10% safflower oil or coconut oil. Supplements of ethoxyquin ord-α-tocopherol acetate maintained fertility in birds raised on rations containing safflower oils. This response was associated with higher proportions of 22∶4 ω6 and lower proportions of 18∶2 ω6 in testicular lipids. Testes size was quite variable in the unsupplemented group with changes in fatty acid composition being more pronounced in the smaller testes. A multiple regression was calculated using data from those birds on the safflower oil ration. With a correlation ratio of 0.90 fertility was expressed as a function of testes size, semen concentration and the proportions of 18∶2 ω6, 20∶4 ω6 and 22∶4 ω6 in testicular lipids. Despite the low intake of linoleate significant levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were maintained in testicular lipids of birds fed the coconut oil rations. The major changes in fatty acid composition of testicular lipids produced by this variable was a decrease in the proportion of 18∶2 ω6 and an increase in the proportion of 18∶1. Paper No. 3050, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Sulfur Loading and Speciation Control the Hydrophobicity,Electron Transfer,Reactivity, and Selectivity of Sulfidized Nanoscale Zerovalent Iron

Sulfidized nanoscale zerovalent iron (SNZVI) is a promising material for groundwater remediation. However, the relationships between sulfur content and speciation and the properties of SNZVI materials are unknown, preventing rational design. Here, the effects of sulfur on the crystalline structure, hydrophobicity, sulfur speciation, corrosion potential, and electron transfer resistance are determined. Sulfur incorporation extended the nano-Fe⁰ BCC lattice parameter, reduced the Fe local vacancies, and lowered the resistance to electron transfer. Impacts of the main sulfur species (FeS and FeS₂) on hydrophobicity (water contact angles) are consistent with density functional theory calculations for these FeS_x phases. These properties well explain the reactivity and selectivity of SNZVI during the reductive dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE), a hydrophobic groundwater contaminant. Controlling the amount and speciation of sulfur in the SNZVI made it highly reactive (up to 0.41 L m⁻² d⁻¹) and selective for TCE degradation over water (up to 240 moles TCE per mole H₂O), with an electron efficiency of up to 70%, and these values are 54-fold, 98-fold, and 160-fold higher than for NZVI, respectively. These findings can guide the rational design of robust SNZVI with properties tailored for specific application scenarios.     

Achieving the ideal strength in annealed molybdenum nanopillars

The theoretical strength of a material is the stress required to deform an infinite, defect-free crystal. Achieving the theoretical strength of a material experimentally is hindered by the ability to create and mechanically test an absolutely defect-free material. Here we show that through annealing it is possible to employ the versatility of the focused ion beam (FIB) but recover a mechanically pristine limited volume. Starting with FIB-milled molybdenum pillars, we anneal them in situ in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) producing a molybdenum pillar with a spherical cap. This geometry allows for the maximum stress to occur in the interior of the spherical cap and is ideally suited for experimentally achieving the ideal strength. During in situ compression testing in the TEM the annealed pillars show initial elastic loading followed by catastrophic failure at, or very near, the calculated theoretical strength of molybdenum.     

Effects of culture,social presence,and group composition on trust in technology‐supported decision‐making groups

This study examines trust in technology‐supported groups from the perspectives of culture, social presence and group composition. Our results demonstrate that, in culturally homogeneous groups, individualism has a negative impact on the level of interpersonal trust; however, in culturally heterogeneous groups consisting of Chinese and U.S. participants, individualism has a positive impact on interpersonal trust among members. There were also significant differences in the level of trust between homogeneous Chinese groups and heterogeneous groups consisting of Chinese and U.S. participants. In addition, the mediating role of communication quality was identified to explain the effect for trust‐of social presence on trust. These findings have important implications on building and communication in global technology‐supported decision‐making groups.     

Short Chain Fatty Acids Alter HEp-2 Cell Association and Invasion by Stationary Growth Phase Salmonella Typhimurium

ABSTRACT: We examined the ability of stationary phase Salmonella typhimurium to adhere and invade cultured HEp-2 cells after growth in broth supplemented with acetate, propionate, butyrate, or a mixture of the three short chain fatty acids (SCFA). At pH 6, all concentrations, except 25 and 50 mM butyrate, reduced cell-association of S. typhimurium when compared to controls, while at pH 7 only 100 mM concentrations of acetate and butyrate reduced cell-association significantly. Invasion percentages were greater for S. typhimurium grown at an initial pH of 6 with 25 mM acetate when compared to controls, SCFA mixture, and all other single SCFA concentration combinations. At pH 7, invasion was greater with either the SCFA mixture or 25 or 50 mM acetate than with control and all other single SCFA concentration combinations.     

Spreadsheet-based calculation tool for direct daylight illuminance adaptable for different glazing properties and sky models

The methods normally used to calculate daylight illuminance of rooms are limited in their capacity to model different sky luminance distributions and different window glazing properties. A spreadsheet-based model is presented in this paper using first-principle calculations, which allows for a free choice of sky luminance distribution and glazing material properties. The glazing is specified in terms of material refractive index, absorption coefficient and thickness, and may be either single or double glazed. The calculations need to be repeated for each of a large number of small elements of window area, which is easily achieved using a spreadsheet. Use is illustrated by comparing the calculation of sky components with standard published data, and demonstrating the effect of substituting double for single glazing. The model was developed for educational use, but would also be useful for designers who need to investigate quickly the effect of altering glazing properties and sky conditions, without recourse to specialist software.     

Model checking for E-business control and assurance

Model checking is a promising technique for the verification of complex software systems. As the use of the Internet for conducting e-business extends the reach of many organizations, well-designed software becomes the foundation of reliable implementation of e-business processes. These distributed, electronic methods of conducting transactions place reliance on the control structures embedded in the transaction processes. Deficiencies in control structures of processes that support e-business can lead to loss of physical assets, digital assets, money, and consumer confidence. Yet, assessing the reliability of e-business processes is complex and time-consuming. This paper explicates how model-checking technology can aid in the design and assurance of e-business processes in complex digital environments. Specifically, we demonstrate how model checking can be used to verify e-business requirements concerning money atomicity, goods atomicity, valid receipt, and communication-link failure. These requirements are fundamental to many e-business applications. Model checking can be used to test a broad range of systems requirements-not only for system designers, but also for auditors and security specialists. Systems that are examined by auditors need to have adequate controls built in prior to implementation and will need adequate auditing after implementation to ensure that none of the processes have been corrupted. Model checkers may also provide value in examining the processes of highly integrated applications as found in enterprise resource planning systems.