Identification of RSVP14 and RSVP20 components by two-dimensional electrophoresis and Western-blotting.

We have already shown that RSVP14 and RSVP20, two ram seminal plasma (SP) proteins postulated to be involved in sperm capacitation and gamete interaction can protect spermatozoa against cold-shock. In this study, we use two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) for the analysis of SP proteins of Rasa Aragonesa rams, using enhanced protein solubilization in the presence of tributyl phosphine (TBP) and a polyacrylamide linear gradient gel with a narrow pH range (4-7). The image analysis of the 2D map detected 195 protein spots, with isoelectric points (pIs) ranging from 4.5 to 6.6, and molecular weight (M(r)) from 11.7 to 90.4. Staining of 2D gels with Pro-Q Emerald 300 Glycoprotein Stain revealed that most significant proteins in ram SP are glycosylated. The removing of protein N-linked oligosaccharides improved the gel resolution. 2D-PAGE analysis of the whole fraction 6 (F6) separated from ram SP by exclusion chromatography showed six main protein spots, four (a, b, c, d) in the 14 kDa and two (e, f) in the 20 kDa region. Western-blot analyses indicated that the anti-P14 antibody recognized four spots on the SP map, 4, 5, 6 and 7, that matched with spots a, b, c, d of F6 map. The anti-P20 antibody recognized spots 13 and 14 of SP map that corresponded to spots e, f of F6 map. The deduced sequences by de novo sequencing evidenced that protein spots 7 and 13 have significant similarities to BSP family, while protein spots 4 and 14 did not appear to be homologous with any reported protein in the current mammalian Proteinbank databases.     

Effect of Chemical or Electrical Activation of Bovine Oocytes on Blastocyst Development and Quality

Activation of in vitro‐matured (IVM) oocytes is essential for successful embryo production following nuclear transfer (NT) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This study was designed to compare the rates of blastocyst production and embryo quality (as measured by numbers of viable cells) following parthenogenetic activation with electrical pulse or the use of two different calcium ionophores, A23187 (CA) or ionomycin (IO), with or without the addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA). IVM oocytes with a first polar body were randomly allocated to five treatment groups: CA (5 μm CA, 5 min; n = 88), CA + BSA (5 μm CA, 5 min; BSA, 5 min; n = 90), IO (5 μm IO, 5 min; n = 91), IO + BSA (5 μm IO, 5 min; BSA, 5 min; n = 86) and EL (two pulses of 1.5 kV/cm, 20 μs; n = 120). Blastocyst rates were higher (p < 0.05) for CA (54.4%), IO (51.4%) and EL (54.5%) than for IO + BSA (18.3%). Treatment CA + BSA (39.8%) did not differ from the others. There was no difference (p > 0.05) among treatments in total number of cells. However, the percentage of viable cells was reduced in CA (49.9%), CA + BSA (45.8%), IO (64.9%), IO + BSA (50.9%) compared with EL (82.7%). In summary, the addition of BSA to the IO treatment had an adverse effect on blastocyst production rates. Although there was no difference between electrical stimulation and chemical activation on blastocyst production rates, electrical activation resulted in blastocysts with a higher percentage of viable cells.     

Wild-Harvested Venison Yields and Sharing by Michigan Deer Hunters

An increased societal focus on wildlife as food and recent policy deliberations regarding legal markets for wild-harvested meat are encouraging wildlife managers and researchers to examine the amount, use, and distribution of meat yielded through recreational hunting. We used responses to questions on the Michigan Deer Harvest Study to estimate the maximum yield of edible venison and assess hunters’ sharing behaviors. We estimated 11,402–14,473 metric tons of edible venison were procured during the 2013 hunting season. Of hunters who harvested a deer, 85% shared their venison. Hunters who shared did so with an average of 5.6 people (SD = 4.5). Sharing occurred most frequently within tight social networks: members of hunters’ households (69%), relatives (52%), and friends, neighbors, or coworkers (50%). In the absence of legal markets, venison is distributed widely by hunters and greatly amplifies the number of people benefiting from hunting. Nonetheless, we also identified the potential breadth of exposure to disease or contaminants from wild-harvested meat.     

A monolithic photovoltaic-photoelectrochemical device for hydrogen production via water splitting

Direct water electrolysis was achieved with a novel, integrated, monolithic photoelectrochemical-photovoltaic design. This photoelectrochemical cell, which is voltage biased with an integrated photovoltaic device, splits water directly upon illumination; light is the only energy input. The hydrogen production efficiency of this system, based on the short-circuit current and the lower heating value of hydrogen, is 12.4 percent.     

Climate and vegetation history of the midcontinent from 75 to 25 ka: A speleothem record from crevice cave, missouri, USA

Four Missouri stalagmites yield consistent overlapping records of oxygen and carbon isotopic changes and provide a climate and vegetation history with submillennial resolution from 75 to 25 thousand years ago (ka). The thorium-230-dated records reveal that between 75 and 55 ka, the midcontinental climate oscillated on millennial time scales between cold and warm, and vegetation alternated among forest, savanna, and prairie. Temperatures were highest and prairie vegetation peaked between 59 and 55 ka. Climate cooled and forest replaced grassland at 55 ka, when global ice sheets began to build during the early part of Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 3.     

A long-snouted predatory dinosaur from africa and the evolution of spinosaurids

Fossils discovered in Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) rocks in the Tenere Desert of central Niger provide new information about spinosaurids, a peculiar group of piscivorous theropod dinosaurs. The remains, which represent a new genus and species, reveal the extreme elongation and transverse compression of the spinosaurid snout. The postcranial bones include blade-shaped vertebral spines that form a low sail over the hips. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the enlarged thumb claw and robust forelimb evolved during the Jurassic, before the elongated snout and other fish-eating adaptations in the skull. The close phylogenetic relationship between the new African spinosaurid and Baryonyx from Europe provides evidence of dispersal across the Tethys seaway during the Early Cretaceous.     

Statistical aspects of aquaculture research: pond variability and pseudoreplication

Pond experiments with one treatment per pond are discussed for their sources of variability. Replication of treated ponds, randomization of treatment allocation to ponds and the importance of independence between ponds are emphasized for efficient estimation of both treatment and inherent pond differences. Appropriate models are given for the analysis of data for pond experiments with whole-pond treatments. Corresponding analyses of variance are given to illustrate the estimation of differences between treatments, between ponds and between fish within ponds. Appropriate significance tests for treatment effects are demonstrated to avoid pseudoreplication, the incorrect use of within-pond variation. Using a fertilizer experiment, simple graphical methods are presented for examining between- and within-pond variation to identify ponds with unusual data, and to determine adequacy of design and appropriate analyses.     

Predation by invasive signal crayfish on early life stages of European barbel may be limited

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