We have performed large-scale calculations for the interaction energy of the stacked methyl adenine−methyl thymine complex at the CCSD(T)/aug-ccpVXZ (X = D,T) levels. The results can serve as ...benchmarks for the evaluation of two methods, MP2.5, introduced recently, and the widely used ΔCCSD(T) correction defined as the difference between the CCSD(T) and MP2 energies. Our results confirm that the ΔCCSD(T) correction converges much faster toward the complete basis set (CBS) limit than toward the MP2 or CCSD(T) energies. This justifies approximating the CBS energy by adding the ΔCCSD(T) correction calculated with a modest basis set to a large basis MP2 energy. The fast convergence of the ΔCCSD(T) correction is not obvious, as the individual CCSD and (T) contributions converge less rapidly than their sum. The MP2.5 method performs very well for this system, with results very close to CCSD(T). It is conjectured that using a ΔMP2.5 correction, defined analogously to ΔCCSD(T), with large basis sets may yield more reliable nonbonded interaction energies than using ΔCCSD(T) with a smaller basis set. This would result in important computational savings as the MP3 scales computationally much less steep than CCSD(T), although higher than SCS-MP2, a similar approximation.
Summary
The aim of this case was to describe very rare infection of canine prostate gland with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia which had influence on male fertility. The bacterium was cultured from ...third fraction of the ejaculate collected by manual manipulation. The sperm concentration and motility parameters were evaluated by Hamilton‐Thorne Sperm Analyser, version IVOS 12.3, sperm morphology by Diff‐Quick staining and live/dead spermatozoa by eosin/nigrosin staining. After 3 weeks of treatment with targeted antibiotic, ciprofloxacin, there was no bacterial growth in prostate fluid. Semen parameters were improved after 60 days from the end of treatment, and females were successfully mated.
Contents
In this study, ovarian morphologies and blood progesterone concentrations following oestrous induction in bitches were examined. Fifty‐three clinically healthy anoestrus bitches received ...cabergoline at a daily dose of 5 μg/kg of body weight per os for 21 days (group I) or subcutaneous equine chorionic gonadotropin at a dose of 20 IU/kg of body weight for five consecutive days with an additional 500 IU s.c. per bitch of human chorionic gonadotropin on the last day of treatment (group II). Twenty bitches that spontaneously displayed oestrous signs were left untreated and served as controls (group III). The induced oestrous rates and ovulation rates in groups I and II were 60.0% vs 64.3% and 86.7% vs 83.3%, respectively. Morphological assessments of the ovarian structures after ovariohysterectomy revealed an increase in the number of luteinized follicles and cysts in group II compared with the two other groups (p < 0.001). In contrast, the numbers of corpora lutea and follicles were similar in all groups. In accordance with the above‐mentioned alteration, the progesterone concentration in the gonadotropin group (II) was increased (p < 0.001) in the periovulatory period compared with the other two groups. During the entire sampling period, the progesterone profiles in the cabergoline (I) and control (III) groups were similar and typical of normally cycling bitches. In conclusion, gonadotropin treatment is associated with an increased progesterone level during the periovulatory period that probably originates from luteinized follicles, whereas cabergoline treatment induces cycles with both physiological progesterone concentrations and ovarian morphologies.
Abstract Introduction In mammals, placenta separation at term may involve degradation of the extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The activity of MMPs is modulated by TIMPs. We ...hypothesized that the placentas of mares that deliver fetal membranes physiologically and those that retain fetal membranes (FMR) differ in terms of histology; mRNA expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9; protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2; and the potential activity of both MMPs. Methods Placenta biopsies were taken from mares (n = 9; 4 FMR, 5 controls) immediately after foal expulsion. Retention was defined as failure to expel all fetal membranes within 3 h of expulsion. All mares were monitored for time of expulsion. The degree of allantochorial/endometrial adhesion was determined in FMR mares, and biopsies from all mares were histologically examined. mRNA expression, protein immunolocalization, protein amount and potential enzyme activity were determined with RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, Western Blotting and zymography, respectively. Results FMR mares had strong to extremely strong allantochorial/endometrial adhesion, and significantly more connective tissue in the allantochorial villi than controls. The range of MMP-2 mRNA expression levels was more than 13 times greater in FMR mares than in controls. Protein content of both MMPs and TIMP-2 differed significantly between groups. The range of potential MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity was larger in FMR mares, and MMP-2 potential activity was 1.4 times higher in controls (P = 0.02). Discussion These results indicate differences in extracellular matrix remodeling in FMR mares and controls, and suggest dysregulation of MMP expression and activation in FMR mares.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and etiological agents of subclinical mastitis at the end of lactation in nine dairy herds in North-East Poland. In total, 387 Polish HF were ...involved in the study. The diagnosis of mastitis was performed on the basis of clinical examination of the udder, macroscopic evaluation of milk, determination of somatic cell count and bacteriological examination of milk. Subclinical mastitis was found in an average of 36.7% (range from 21.0% to 53.1%) of cows and of 15.7% (range from 9.6% to 25.2%) of quarters. Coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS; 31.6% of quarters), Streptococcus (Str.) agalactiae (15.6% of quarters), Staphylococcus (Staph.) aureus (12.1% of quarters) and fungi (12.2% of quarters) were most frequently isolated from subclinical mastitis. Etiological agents of subclinical mastitis differed strongly between herds. The results of this study showed that the incidence of subclinical mastitis at the end of lactation in dairy herds in North-East Poland is high. CNS were the most frequently isolated from subclinical mastitis cases, however mastitis caused by the contagious pathogens Str. agalactiae and Staph. aureus is still a problem. The fungal infections of the mammary gland also play an important role.
The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of cystic ovarian follicles (COFs) occurring after puerperium on fertility and the effect of their treatment with progesterone releasing device ...on reproductive performance in dairy cows. The study was carried out in 3 herds of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows under herd health program. COFs were diagnosed by ultrasound above 60 days p.p. They were defined as follicular structures with a diameter > 2.5 cm in the absence of a corpus luteum at two repeated examinations at the 14-days interval. On the day of COF diagnosis blood samples were collected to measure progesterone (P4) concentration. On the basis of the wall thickness measurement and progesterone concentration at the first examination, the COFs were differentiated into follicular and luteal cysts. The experimental group consisted of 23 animals with COF. The cows were treated with PRID Delta (Ceva Animal Health, Poland), containing 1.55 g of progesterone, for 7 days. The cows without oestrus signs within 14 days after treatment were re-examinated. If COF persisted, the cows were treated again with PRID Delta. The treatment was repeated maximum three times. Fifteen cows with ovarian cysts were left untreated and served as a control group. The cows with COF were matched to healthy cows without COF. The cows with COF had worse fertility performances compared to cows without COF. There were significant (p⟨0.05) differences in conception rates, number of services per conception and days open between these groups. Compared with non-treated cows with COF, in cows with COF treated with PRID Delta conceptions rates and number of services per conception were similar, but the days open were significantly (p⟨0.05) lower in cows treated than in non-treated (183.3 days vs. 277.6 days). There were no differences in reproductive performances between the follicular and luteal cysts in treated and non-treated cows. In conclusion, the results of our study confirm the negative impact of COF after puerperium on fertility in dairy cows. Furthermore the results indicate the usefulness of PRID Delta for the treatment of COF occurring after the puerperium regardless of cysts type.
There is no information available about the incidence of anestrus and its clinical forms after service in dairy cows in Poland. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of ...clinical forms of anoestrus after unsuccessful artificial insemination in dairy cows based on ultrasound examination. The study was carried out on 1543 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows in 8 dairy herds in north-east Poland over a three-year period. Cows were examined for pregnancy on day 35 after AI using a Honda 1500 portable ultrasound scanner equipped with a 5 MHz linear-array transducer. Cows diagnosed as pregnant were re-examined on day 45. Of the 1543 inseminated cows, 408 (26.4%) showed no estrus signs and were diagnosed not-pregnant by ultrasonography, 328 (21.3%) returned to estrus within 35 days, and 807 (52.3%) were pregnant via artificial insemination. The incidence of anestrus after service in non-pregnant cows varied among herds from 10.3% to 32.9% of cows (p0.05). Based on ultrasound examination silent heat was diagnosed in 324 (79.4%), corpus luteum pseudograviditatis in 36 (8.8%), ovarian cysts in 26 (6.4%), and ovarian afunction in 22 (5.4%) of 408 anestrous, non-pregnant cows. The results of this study showed that the incidence of anestrus after service in dairy herds in North-East Poland was high. The most prevalent clinical form of post-service anestrus was silent heat.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Fetal membrane retention can be a life‐threatening condition and its incidence exceeds 50% in heavy draught mares. Although fetal membrane retention is commonly treated ...with repeated injections of oxytocin, based on the suggestion that it is caused mainly by secondary atony of the uterus, this treatment sometimes fails. This led us to ask if expression of oxytocin receptors differs in mares that retain fetal membranes due to secondary uterine atony. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether expression of oxytocin receptors in equine placental tissues differs when heavy draught mares expel fetal membranes or retain them because of secondary uterine atony. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled study using archived tissues. METHODS: Placental biopsies (containing the endometrium and allantochorion) were taken from 8 heavy draught mares during parturition. Four mares expelled fetal membranes shortly after foaling (control mares) and 4 mares retained them (expulsion time was >3 h from delivery). The 4 mares that retained fetal membranes had secondary atony of the uterus. The amount of oxytocin receptors was estimated by measuring the intensity of western blot bands. The presence and location of oxytocin receptors were determined by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Oxytocin receptor expression was nearly 50 times less intense in mares with placenta retention due to secondary atony of the uterus and immunocytochemical staining was barely visible. In the control mares, oxytocin receptors were found in both epithelial and endothelial cells of the placenta and staining was most intense where the endometrium contacts the allantochorion. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate expression of oxytocin receptors may be a cause of uterine atony leading to fetal membrane retention.
A superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) reduces the short-circuit current level in a power system and thus provides protection for and significantly reduces the wear and tear of circuit ...breakers and other substation power equipment. This paper describes a design and test results of a model of a transformer-type superconducting fault current limiter (TrSFCL) with a 1-phase 10 kV copper transformer and a secondary winding shorted by a superconducting current limiting coil made of 2G HTS tape. Special regard is given to the ability of this device to limit a short-circuit current thanks to the parameters of both the HTS coil and the 2G HTS tape used, and in particular to its resistivity in the resistive state at a temperature of 77 K.
Tests and Performance Analysis of 2G HTS Transformer Wojtasiewicz, G.; Janowski, T.; Kozak, S. ...
IEEE transactions on applied superconductivity,
06/2013, Letnik:
23, Številka:
3
Journal Article, Conference Proceeding
Recenzirano
Transformers represent one of the oldest and most mature elements in a power transmission and distribution network. The new superconducting transformers are smaller and lighter than conventional ones ...and they have lower power losses. Also, the new 2G superconducting tapes with high resistivity in the normal state allow to build transformers with high short-circuit strength. The short-circuit current limiting feature of the superconducting transformer, which is the most important benefit of replacing conventional windings by superconducting ones, provides protection and significantly reduces the wear and tear of circuit breakers and other substation power equipment. This paper describes the design and test results of a model of a 1-phase, 8.8 kVA superconducting transformer with windings made of 2G HTS tape. The authors also present the results of a numerical analysis of the design. A special regard is given to the ability of the device's superconducting winding to limit the short-circuit current, in particular its resistivity in normal state at a temperature of 77 K.
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