Identification of a blue photoluminescent composite material from a combinatorial library

A quaternary combinatorial masking strategy was used in conjunction with photolithography to generate compositionally diverse thin-film phosphor libraries containing 1024 different compositions on substrates 2.5 centimeters square. A parallel imaging system and scanning spectrophotometer were used to identify and characterize compositions in the library with interesting luminescent behavior. Optimal compositions were identified with the use of gradient libraries, in which the stoichiometry of a material was varied continuously. This process led to the identification of an efficient blue photoluminescent composite material, Gd3Ga5O12/SiO2. Experimental evidence suggests that luminescence in this material may arise from interfacial effects between SiO2 and Gd3Ga5O12.     

The role of Penicillia in ryegrass staggers

Tremorgenic strains of Penicillium verrucosum var cyclopium, P canescens, P janthinellum, P novaezeelandiae and P estinogenum were isolated from the faeces of 15 of 23 affected sheep and cattle in eight of nine field outbreaks of ryegrass staggers. One tremorgenic strain of P griseofulvum was isolated from the faeces of one of 25 sheep grazing in unaffected flocks. Tremorgenic strains of P verrucosum var cyclopium, P canescens, P janthinellum and P estinogenum were also isolated from the A horizon of New Zealand soils. Since a large proportion of experimentally dosed live P verrucosum var cyclopium died during passage through the gut, the faecal evidence from naturally staggering animals suggests that at least some outbreaks of ryegrass staggers are caused by tremorgenic Penicillia and that their source may be soil.     

Nephrotoxicity in Goats Caused by Dosing with a Water Extract from the Stems of Narthecium Ossifragum Plants

Seven goats were given a single dose of an aqueous extract derived from 30 g (wet weight) of Narthecium ossifragum per kg liveweight. Their serum creatinine and urea concentrations increased to day 5 but then fell to normal by day 10. Serum magnesium increased to day 4 and decreased to normal by day 9. Their serum calcium concentration was lower than normal on days 4, 5 and 6. Histopathological examination of the kidneys of goats killed or found dead 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 or 16 days after dosing revealed tubular epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis. Regeneration of the tubular epithelium and signs of interstitial fibroplast proliferation and fibrosis could be seen in animals killed on days 8, 11, 16 and 42. No signs of liver damage were observed in 3 goats dosed with the insoluble plant material from 40 g (wet weight) Narthecium ossifragum per kg liveweight. The total dose was divided into three doses, which were given intraruminally within 7 h. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase, -glutamyl-transferase and glutamate dehydrogenase remained within the normal range in all 10 goats after dosing.     

Lunar Fe and Ti abundances: comparison of lunar prospector and clementine data

The Lunar Prospector neutron spectrometer data correlate well with iron and titanium abundances obtained through analysis of Clementine spectral reflectance data. With the iron and titanium dependence removed, the neutron spectrometer data also reveal regions with enhanced amounts of gadolinium and samarium, incompatible rare earth elements that are enriched in the final phases of magma crystallization. These regions are found mainly around the ramparts of the Imbrium impact basin but not around the other basins, including the much larger and deeper South Pole-Aitken basin. This result confirms the compositional uniqueness of the surface and interior of the Imbrium region.     

Report on the 43rd Annual Meeting of the DPG-Working Group Nematology

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection -     

Use of Cholesterol‐Loaded Cyclodextrin in Donkey Semen Cryopreservation Improves Sperm Viability but Results in Low Fertility in Mares

The use of cholesterol‐loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) on semen cryopreservation has been related with better sperm viability in several species; however, the effect on fertility is not known in donkey semen. Ejaculates (n = 25) from five donkeys were diluted in S‐MEDIUM with 0, 1, 2 or 3 mg of CLC/120 × 10⁶ spermatozoa. Semen was frozen, and thawed samples were evaluated by computer‐assisted sperm analyser system (CASA), supravital test, hyposmotic swelling test and fluorescent dyes to assess the integrity of sperm membranes. Mares (n = 60) were inseminated with frozen‐thawed semen treated with the doses of 0 or 1 mg CLC. Percentages of sperm with progressive motility and with functional plasma membrane were greater (p < 0.05) in the CLC‐treated groups than in the control. Percentages of intact plasma membrane and intact plasma membrane and acrosome detected by fluorescent dyes were also greater (p < 0.05) in CLC‐treated groups. Although no difference (p > 0.05) in conception rates was detected between groups (control, 3/30, 10%; CLC‐treated, 1/30, 3.3%), fertility was low for artificial insemination programs in mares. Therefore, we firstly demonstrated that frozen semen treated with CLC in S‐MEDIA extender before freezing improves the in vitro sperm viability, but semen treated or not with CLC in S‐MEDIUM extender results in a very low conception rate in mares inseminated with thawed donkey semen.     

Follicle Wave Growth in Cattle

Ovarian follicle growth in cattle culminates in the selection of a single dominant follicle which attains the ability for final maturation and ovulation once or twice during the luteal phase and at the end of the oestrous cycle, as well as during other reproductive states. This review will describe in detail the first follicle wave of the cycle leading to selection of the first wave dominant follicle, indicating the specific gonadotrophin dependencies of cohort and dominant follicles, and relating follicle fate to steroidogenesis. As a differential gonadotrophin response of growing antral follicles during the follies‐stimulating hormone (FSH) decline may determine which follicle becomes selected, first wave follicles are also characterized in relation to intrafollicular growth factors, which may modify the gonadotrophin response, such as inhibins and members of the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) family. Subsequently, the follicular control of the transient FSH rise and decline so crucial to dominant follicle selection will be discussed. It is concluded that successful hormonal manipulation of follicle wave growth and dominant follicle selection will depend on our detailed understanding of the gonadotrophin requirements of differentiating wave follicles.