Progress of irrigation research on Willamette Valley soils

Published April 1968. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

A transcriptomal analysis of bovine oviductal epithelial cells collected during the follicular phase versus the luteal phase of the estrous cycle

BACKGROUND: Reproductive success depends on a functional oviduct for gamete storage, maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development. The ovarian-derived steroids estrogen and progesterone are key regulators of oviductal function. The objective of this study was to investigate luteal and follicular phase-specific oviductal epithelial cell function by using microarray-based transcriptional profiling, to increase our understanding of mRNAs regulating epithelial cell processes, and to identify novel genes and biochemical pathways that may be found to affect fertility in the future. METHODS: Six normally cycling Angus heifers were assigned to either luteal phase (LP, n = 3) or follicular phase (FP, n = 3) treatment groups. Heifers in the LP group were killed between day 11 and 12 after estrus. Heifers in the FP group were treated with 25 mg PGF(2α) (Lutalyse, Pfizer, NY) at 8 pm on day 6 after estrus and killed 36 h later. Transcriptional profiling by microarray and confirmation of selected mRNAs by real-time RT-PCR analyses was performed using total RNA from epithelial cells isolated from sections of the ampulla and isthmus collected from LP and FP treatment groups. Differentially expressed genes were subjected to gene ontology classification and bioinformatic pathway analyses. RESULTS: Statistical one-way ANOVA using Benjamini-hochberg multiple testing correction for false discovery rate (FDR) and pairwise comparison of epithelial cells in the ampulla of FP versus LP groups revealed 972 and 597 transcripts up- and down-regulated, respectively (P < 0.05). Within epithelial cells of the isthmus in FP versus LP groups, 946 and 817 transcripts were up- and down-regulated, respectively (P < 0.05). Up-regulated genes from both ampulla and isthmus were found to be largely involved in cholesterol biosynthesis and cell cycle pathways, while down-regulated genes were found in numerous inflammatory response pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Microarray-based transcriptional profiling revealed phase of the cycle-dependent changes in the expression of mRNA within the epithelium of the oviducts’ ampulla and isthmus. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12958-015-0077-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Synthesis, characterisation and electric properties of polythiophene composites with various amphoteric oxides

The present paper involves the synthesis of polythiophene (PTP) composites with different amphoteric oxides via in situ oxidative polymerisation procedure. These composites were characterised by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction and SEM, which proves the successful chemical synthesis of PTP and its composites. Fourier transform infrared absorption peaks confirm the insertion of oxides in the backbone of PTP. Thermal analysis shows no change in thermal stability, unlike composites of PTP with other metal oxides, and hence rules out the application of these composites for higher temperature purposes. However, the composite materials have shown stability up to 200°C which ensures their use in low temperature applications. Both the oxides have changed the electrical conductivity of PTP. Polythiophene prepared which was found to be insulator initially has shown significant conductivity after doping with two amphoteric oxides. Sb2O3 has proven to be a better dopant for improving the conductivity as compared to TeO2

Comparative Study of synthesis, characterisation and electric properties of polypyrrole and polythiophene composites with tellurium oxide

The study involves the synthesis of polypyrrole (PPY) and polythiophene (PTP) composites of TeO2 via in situ oxidative polymerization procedure. These composites were characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM, which proves the successful chemical synthesis of PPY, PTP and their composites. FTIR absorption peaks confirms the insertion of TeO2 in the backbone of PPY and PTP and also justifies the strong interaction of TeO2 with PTP than PPY, which is responsible for a significant increase in the conductivity value in case of PTP composite than PPY composite, which ensures its better capability in future electronics. Thermal analysis shows no change in thermal stability unlike composites of PPY and PTP with other metal oxides, hence rules out the application of these composites for higher temperature purposes, however, the PTP composite material has shown the stability up to 200 °C which ensures its use in low temperature applications. The compactness, ordered morphology, better conjugation or chain length and orientation of TeO2 with PTP backbone are responsible for more conductivity of PTP composite than PPY

The Effect of Using Rumen Protected Methionine (Mepron) on Production and Reproduction Performance of Holstein Lactating Cows during Early Lactation under Field Condition

In order to examine the effect of using rumen protected methionine (Mepron, Evonik Industries, Hanau, Germany) on productive and reproductive performance under field condition, 195 Holstein cows were used in a unbalanced completely randomized design and 2 groups. Experimental treatments consisted of: 1) control group with 110 Holstein dairy cows (71±51 DIM and 47.5±12 milk yield) and without Mepron and 2) experimental group with 85 Holstein dairy cows (85±59 DIM and 47.0±12 milk yield) and 13 g Mepron per cow/d. Cows were group fed with TMR and 4 times a day. The diets were balanced with AminoCow® software. Using Mepron decreased CP content from 17.05% in control group to 16.47% in experimental group, while other nutrients were similar between two diets. Adding Mepron to diet resulted in a significant increase in dry matter intake (

Dielectric and impedance study of polycrystalline Li0.35-0.5XCd0.3NiXFe2.35-0.5XO4 ferrites synthesized via a citrate-gel auto combustion method

Polycrystalline ferrites having general formula Li0.35-0.5XCd0.3NiXFe2.35-0.5XO4 (0.00 <= X <= 0.08) were prepared using citrate-gel auto combustion method. Doping of Ni2+ ions in Li0.35Cd0.3Fe2.35O4 ferrite has resulted in grain growth inhibition. This has been attributed to the precipitation of Ni2+ ions in the grain boundary region during sintering process. The dielectric permittivity (epsilon'), ac conductivity (sigma(ac)) and dielectric loss tangent (tan delta) has been measured at different temperatures in the frequency domain of 100 Hz to 5 MHz. The behaviour of tan delta has been observed to show a relaxation phenomenon at relatively higher temperatures. The value of tan delta was also found to increase with temperature, which is an expected behaviour. For composition with X = 0.02, the value of dielectric permittivity was observed to increase. This is a very important feature for power applications of ferrites. Correlated barrier hopping conduction mechanism has been observed in all the samples. For sample with X = 0.00, the small polaron hopping conduction mechanism was observed first, followed by the correlated barrier hopping mechanism. The values of activation energies (E-a) for conduction process, determined from Arrhenius plots have been discussed as a function of Ni content. Nyquist plots have been utilized to delineate the contribution of the resistances of grain and grain boundary with temperature and composition

Synthesis and characterization of Li0.5Fe2.5-xGdxO4 ferrite nano-particles as a potential candidate for microwave device applications

The effect of Gd substitution on the microstructure, dielectric, impedance and magnetic properties of Li0.5Fe2.5-xGdxO4 (0.0 <= x <= 0.2) ferrite nano-crystals prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion method has been investigated. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the cubic spinel phase formation and broadness of reflection peaks indicates the formation of smaller sized particles. The crystallite size was observed to increase from 25.2 nm to 31.1 nm with increasing Gd substitution. The surface morphology and stoichiometric ratio of the compositional elements were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Dielectric and impedance measurements were carried out in the frequency range of 100 Hz-10 MHz. The dielectric properties of the present ferrite system were improved much by the substitution of Gd ions. The low dielectric loss at higher frequencies identifies the potential of these ferrites for high frequency applications. The impedance spectroscopy technique was used to study the effect of grain and grain boundary on the electrical properties. An enhancement in the value of saturation magnetization and Curie temperature has been obtained with Gd concentration, which is useful for technological aspects. The coercivity was also observed to decrease with Gd doping, except for the sample with x = 0.20