Effects of resynchronization programs on pregnancy per artificial insemination, progesterone, and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins in plasma of lactating dairy cows

Thompson, I.M.,Cerri, R.L.A.,Kim, I.H.,Green, J.A.,Santos, J.E.P.,Thatcher, W.W. American Dairy Science Association 2010 Journal of dairy science Vol.93 No.9

Objectives were to develop a timed artificial insemination (TAI) resynchronization program to improve pregnancy per AI and to evaluate responses of circulating progesterone and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins in lactating cows. Cows (n=1,578) were presynchronized with 2 injections of PGF<SUB>2α</SUB>, given 14 d apart starting on d 45+/-3 postpartum, followed by Ovsynch [2 injections of GnRH 7 d before and 56h after injection of PGF<SUB>2α</SUB>, TAI 16h after second injection (d 0)]. The Resynch-treated cows received an intravaginal progesterone insert from d 18 to 25, GnRH on d 25, and pregnancy diagnosis on d 32, and nonpregnant cows received PGF<SUB>2α.</SUB>, GnRH 56h later, and TAI 16h later (d 35). The control cows were diagnosed for pregnancy on d 32 and nonpregnant cows received GnRH, PGF<SUB>2α</SUB> 39 d after TAI, GnRH 56h later, and TAI 16h later (d 42). Pregnancy was reconfirmed on d 60 after AI. Ovarian structures were examined in a subset of cows at the time of GnRH and PGF<SUB>2α</SUB> injections. Blood samples for analyses of progesterone and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins were collected every 2 d from d 18 to 30 in 100 cows, and collection continued weekly to d 60 for pregnant cows (n=43). Preenrollment pregnancies per AI on d 32 did not differ for cows subsequently treated as Resynch (45.8%, n=814) and control (45.9%, n=764), and pregnancy losses on d 60 were 6.7 and 4.0%, respectively. Resynchronized service pregnancy per AI (36%, n=441; 39.5%, n=412) and pregnancy losses (6.3 and 6.7%) did not differ for Resynch and control treatments, respectively. Days open for pregnant cows after 2 TAI were less for the Resynch treatment than for the control treatment (96.2+/-0.82 vs. 99.5+/-0.83 d). Cows in the Resynch treatment had more large follicles at the time of GnRH. The number of corpora lutea did not differ between treatments at the time of PGF<SUB>2α</SUB>. Plasma progesterone for pregnant cows was greater for Resynch cows than for control cows (18-60 d; 6.6 vs. 5.3ng/mL), and plasma concentrations of progesterone on d 18 were greater for pregnant cows than for nonpregnant cows (5.3 vs. 4.3ng/mL). Plasma pregnancy-associated glycoproteins during pregnancy were lower for cows in the Resynch treatment compared with control cows on d 39 (2.8 vs. 4.1ng/mL) and 46 (1.3 vs. 3.0ng/mL). Cows pregnant on d 32 that lost pregnancy by d 60 (n=7) had lower plasma concentrations of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins on d 30 than cows that maintained pregnancy (n=36; 2.9 vs. 5.0ng/mL). Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins on d 30 (>0.33ng/mL) were predictive of a positive d 32 pregnancy diagnosis (sensitivity=100%; specificity=90.6%). In conclusion, Resynch and control protocols had comparable pregnancy per AI for first and second TAI services, but pregnancy occurred 3.2 d earlier in the Resynch group because inseminations in the Resynch treatment began 7 d before those in the control treatment. Administration of an intravaginal progesterone insert, or GnRH, or both increased progesterone during pregnancy. Dynamics of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins were indicative of pregnancy status and pregnancy loss.

The TOP-SCOPE Survey of <i>Planck</i> Galactic Cold Clumps: Survey Overview and Results of an Exemplar Source, PGCC G26.53+0.17

Liu, Tie,Kim, Kee-Tae,Juvela, Mika,Wang, Ke,Tatematsu, Ken’ichi,Francesco, James Di,Liu, Sheng-Yuan,Wu, Yuefang,Thompson, Mark,Fuller, Gary,Eden, David,Li, Di,Ristorcelli, I.,Kang, Sung-ju,Lin, Yuxin Published by the University of Chicago Press for t 2018 The Astrophysical journal Supplement series Vol.234 No.2

<P>The low dust temperatures (< 14 K) of Planck Galactic cold clumps (PGCCs) make them ideal targets to probe the initial conditions and very early phase of star formation. 'TOP-SCOPE' is a joint survey program targeting similar to 2000 PGCCs in J = 1-0 transitions of CO isotopologues and similar to 1000 PGCCs in 850 mu m continuum emission. The objective of the 'TOP-SCOPE' survey and the joint surveys (SMT 10 m, KVN 21 m, and NRO 45 m) is to statistically study the initial conditions occurring during star formation and the evolution of molecular clouds, across a wide range of environments. The observations, data analysis, and example science cases for these surveys are introduced with an exemplar source, PGCC G26.53+0.17 (G26), which is a filamentary infrared dark cloud (IRDC). The total mass, length, and mean line mass (M/L) of the G26 filament are similar to 6200 M-circle dot, similar to 12 pc, and similar to 500 M-circle dot pc(-1), respectively. Ten massive clumps, including eight starless ones, are found along the filament. The most massive clump as a whole may still be in global collapse, while its denser part seems to be undergoing expansion owing to outflow feedback. The fragmentation in the G26 filament from cloud scale to clump scale is in agreement with gravitational fragmentation of an isothermal, nonmagnetized, and turbulent supported cylinder. A bimodal behavior in dust emissivity spectral index (beta) distribution is found in G26, suggesting grain growth along the filament. The G26 filament may be formed owing to large-scale compression flows evidenced by the temperature and velocity gradients across its natal cloud.</P>

Beef quality grades as determined by Korean and Australian consumers

Thompson, J. M.,Polkinghorne, R.,Hwang, I. H.,Gee, A. M.,Cho, S. H.,Park, B. Y.,Lee, J. M. CSIRO Publishing 2008 Australian journal of experimental agriculture Vol.48 No.11

<P> Consumer responses were examined in an incomplete factorial design where Australian consumers evaluated 216 beef samples derived from 18 cattle killed in Australia and Korean consumers evaluated 216 samples from the same 18 cattle, plus 216 similar samples from 18 Korean cattle. Samples of the Mm. triceps brachii, longissimus dorsi and semimembranosus were cooked using grill and Korean barbeque methods. Each sample was sensory tested by 10 consumers, who scored it for tenderness, juiciness, like flavour, and overall liking. Consumers then graded each sample as either unsatisfactory (2 star), good every day (3 star), better than every day (4 star), or premium (5 star) quality. For those samples assessed by both Australian and Korean consumers, the Korean consumers graded a higher proportion of samples ‘unsatisfactory’ and a lower proportion of samples ‘premium’ grade product than Australian consumers. Using a composite meat quality score (MQ4) to predict grade, a discriminant analysis showed that the Korean consumers had boundary cut-offs for the lower grades, which were ~4-10 palatability units higher than the Australian consumers. Analysis of the residuals between actual and predicted palatability scores showed that the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) grading model produced relatively unbiased estimates within ±2 MQ4 units for the different consumer groups, muscle and carcass suspension treatments, with the exception of the M. semimembranosus samples. Implications of the results for both Korean and Australian beef markets through the use of an empirical grading model to predict palatability are discussed. </P>

A Technique to Quantify the Extent of Postmortem Degradation of Meat Ultrastructure

Hwang, I.H.,Thompson, J.M. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.1

This study investigated quantitative changes in the spaces between and within myofibrils and the impact of high and low voltage electrical stimulation on muscle ultrastructure as seen in electron micrographs. In addition, the relationships of these spaces and the impact to meat tenderness were investigated. The degradation of myofibrils during aging appeared to be localized across the muscle fibre. Structural deterioration of muscle fibres was evident 1 day post-mortem, involving the weakening in the lateral integrity of the myofibrils and Z-disc regions. Meat tenderisation, as shown by objective measurements, coincided with these increases in degradation, as assessed by the sum of the gaps between and within myofibrils. The results showed that the total size of gaps between and within myofibrils can be used as an indicator of meat tenderization during aging, but that ultrastructural alteration in electrically stimulated muscle had little relationship with meat tenderness.

Atomic layer deposition of B2O3/SiO2 thin films and their application in an efficient diffusion doping process

Kim, W. H.,Oh, I. K.,Kim, M. K.,Maeng, W.,Lee, C. W.,Lee, G.,Lansalot-Matras, C.,Noh, W.,Thompson, D.,Chu, D. Royal Society of Chemistry 2014 Journal of Materials Chemistry C Vol.2 No.29

ALLOY STRUCTURE AND ANODIC FILM GROWTH ON RAPIDLY SOLIDIFIED AL-SI-BASED ALLOYS

H. S. Kim,G. E. Thompson,G. C. wood,I. G. Wright,R. E. Maringer 한국표면공학회 1984 한국표면공학회지 Vol.17 No.2

Optical signatures of spin-orbit exciton in bandwidth-controlled Sr2IrO4 epitaxial films via high-concentration Ca and Ba doping

Souri, M.,Kim, B. H.,Gruenewald, J. H.,Connell, J. G.,Thompson, J.,Nichols, J.,Terzic, J.,Min, B. I.,Cao, G.,Brill, J. W.,Seo, A. American Physical Society 2017 Physical review. B Vol.95 No.23

<P>We have investigated the electronic and optical properties of (Sr1-xCax)(2)IrO4 (x = 0-0.375) and (Sr1-yBay)(2)IrO4 (y = 0-0.375) epitaxial thin films, in which the bandwidth is systematically tuned via chemical substitutions of Sr ions by Ca and Ba. Transport measurements indicate that the thin-film series exhibits insulating behavior, similar to the J(eff) = 1/2 spin-orbit Mott insulator Sr2IrO4. As the average A-site ionic radius increases from (Sr1-xCax)(2)IrO4 to (Sr1-yBay)(2)IrO4, optical conductivity spectra in the near-infrared region shift to lower energies, which cannot be explained by the simple picture of well-separated J(eff) = 1/2 and J(eff) = 3/2 bands. We suggest that the two-peak-like optical conductivity spectra of the layered iridates originates from the overlap between the optically forbidden spin-orbit exciton and the intersite optical transitions within the J(eff) = 1/2 band. Our experimental results are consistent with this interpretation as implemented by a multiorbital Hubbard model calculation: namely, incorporating a strong Fano-like coupling between the spin-orbit exciton and intersite d-d transitions within the J(eff) = 1/2 band.</P>

Strontium and Cesium Release Mechanisms during Unsaturated Flow through Waste-Weathered Hanford Sediments

Chang, Hyun-shik,Um, Wooyong,Rod, Kenton,Serne, R. Jeff,Thompson, Aaron,Perdrial, Nicolas,Steefel, Carl I.,Chorover, Jon American Chemical Society 2011 Environmental science & technology Vol.45 No.19

<P>Leaching behavior of Sr and Cs in the vadose zone of Hanford site (Washington) was studied with laboratory-weathered sediments mimicking realistic conditions beneath the leaking radioactive waste storage tanks. Unsaturated column leaching experiments were conducted using background Hanford pore water focused on first 200 pore volumes. The weathered sediments were prepared by 6 months reaction with a synthetic Hanford tank waste leachate containing Sr and Cs (10<SUP>–5</SUP> and 10<SUP>–3</SUP> molal representative of LO- and HI-sediment, respectively) as surrogates for <SUP>90</SUP>Sr and <SUP>137</SUP>Cs. The mineral composition of the weathered sediments showed that zeolite (chabazite-type) and feldspathoid (sodalite-type) were the major byproducts but different contents depending on the weathering conditions. Reactive transport modeling indicated that Cs leaching was controlled by ion-exchange, while Sr release was affected primarily by dissolution of the secondary minerals. The later release of K, Al, and Si from the HI-column indicated the additional dissolution of a more crystalline mineral (cancrinite-type). A two-site ion-exchange model successfully simulated the Cs release from the LO-column. However, a three-site ion-exchange model was needed for the HI-column. The study implied that the weathering conditions greatly impact the speciation of the secondary minerals and leaching behavior of sequestrated Sr and Cs.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/esthag/2011/esthag.2011.45.issue-19/es2010368/production/images/medium/es-2011-010368_0001.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/es2010368'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

HST Observations of the Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy Leo I

Myung-Gyoon Lee,M. Mateo,E. Oslzewski,A. Saha,P. Hodge,M. Keane,N. Suntzeff,W. Freedman,I. Thompson 한국천문학회 1995 天文學會報 Vol.20 No.-

Sub-lattice polarization states in anti-ferroelectrics and their relaxation process

M.M. Vopson,X. Tan,E. Namvar,M. Belusky,S.P. Thompson,V. Kuncser,F. Plazaola,I. Unzueta,C.C. Tang 한국물리학회 2019 Current Applied Physics Vol.19 No.4

We report studies of quasi-remanent polarization states in Pb0.99Nb0.02[(Zr0.57Sn0.43)0.94Ti0.06]0.98O3 (PNZST) anti-ferroelectric ceramics and investigation of their relaxation effects using unique in-situ electrically activated time-resolved Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (SXPD) and 119Sn Mössbauer Spectroscopy (MS). The SXPD patterns are consistent with a phase transition from quasi-tetragonal perovskite in 0 V relaxed anti-ferroelectric state to rhombohedral distortion in ferroelectric state under saturating applied voltages of±2 kV. The observed quasi-remanent polarization relaxation processes are due to the fact that tetragonal to rhombohedral distortion does not occur at the applied voltage required to access the quasi-remanent polarization states, and the tetragonal symmetry restored after the removal of the applied electric field is preserved. Since these quasi-remanent polarization states were seen as possibly suitable for memory applications, the implications of this study are that anti-ferroelectrics are more feasible for multi-state dynamic random access memories (DRAM), while their application to non-volatile memories requires development of more sophisticated “read-out” protocols, possibly involving dc electrical biasing.