In this paper, atomic number (Z) contrast from electron induced images is revisited. Z contrast obtained with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) is generally associated with the collection of backscattered electrons (BSEs) and is considered to exhibit a monotonic increase in BSE signal with Z [1]. However, there is no monotonic relationship of the backscattering coefficient, η, with Z at elec...

rtificial insemination (AI) has become an increasingly common practice in the swine industry, and the value of boars for both AI and natural mating has also increased. It is therefore important to promote routine breeding soundness examinations (BSEs) on boars, which can help to identify poor or questionable breeders before they affect herd fertility and/or destroy an AI stud’s reputation. It w...

Abstract Flow cytometry has been used as a reliable and objective tool for bull sperm quality assessments identification of sub-fertility. Our was to determine if breed differences exist in using flow when evaluating semen from yearling Angus Charolais bulls that passed breeding soundness exam (BSE) evaluation thresholds. Ejaculates were collected via electroejaculation on one three consecutive...

BACKGROUND Cellulases continue to be one of the major costs associated with the lignocellulose hydrolysis process. Clostridium thermocellum is an anaerobic, thermophilic, cellulolytic bacterium that produces cellulosomes capable of efficiently degrading plant cell walls. The end-product cellobiose, however, inhibits degradation. To maximize the cellulolytic ability of C. thermocellum, it is imp...

MANY ENDEMIC DISEASES are controlled through the cropping of resistant sugarcane varieties. Routine resistance screening trials for a range of diseases are a core activity of BSES. Central to this is the appropriate statistical analysis of data from these trials. This is important since potentially high-yielding varieties could be discarded from the breeding program if they are incorrectly rate...