Cuticle deposition duration in the uterus is correlated with eggshell cuticle quality in White Leghorn laying hens

The cuticle formed in the uterus is the outermost layer as the first defense line of eggshell against microbial invasions in most avian species, and analyzing its genetic regulation and influencing factors are of great importance to egg biosecurity in poultry production worldwide. The current study compared the uterine transcriptome and proteome of laying hens producing eggs with good and poor cuticle quality (GC and PC, the top and tail of the cuticle quality distribution), and identified several genes involved with eggshell cuticle quality (ESCQ). Overall, transcriptomic analysis identified 53 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PC versus GC group hens, among which 25 were up-regulated and 28 were down-regulated. No differences were found in the uterine proteome. Several DEGs, including PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR related to uterine functions and reproductive hormones, were validated by qPCR analysis. Egg quality measurements between GC and PC hens showed GC hens had longer laying interval between two consecutive ovipositions (25.64 ± 1.23 vs 24.94 ± 1.12 h) and thicker eggshell thickness (352.01 ± 23.04 vs 316.20 ± 30.58 μm) (P < 0.05). Apart from eggshell traits, other egg quality traits didn’t differ. The result demonstrated eggshell and cuticle deposition duration in the uterus is one of the major factors affecting ESCQ in laying hens. PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR genes were discovered and might play crucial roles in cuticle deposition by regulating the uterine muscular activities and secretion function. The findings in the present study provide new insights into the genetic regulation of cuticle deposition in laying hens and establish a foundation for further investigations.

A study of physico-chemical characteristics of electrochromic Ni(OH)2-PVA films on fto glass with different deposition duration

The use of electrochromic elements in “smart” windows leads to significant savings in electricity required for cooling premises. However, the high cost of these devices does not allow the technology to be widely used. Since the cost is determined by costly vacuum deposition methods, the development of other cheaper methods of deposition of electrochromic element layers is urgent. Aspects of alternative to vacuum formation methods – cathode template electrochemical deposition of composite electrochromic Ni(OH)2-PVA films were investigated. The study is devoted to determining the effect of the duration of deposition of the electrochromic layer on their physicochemical characteristics, in particular, on the optical and electrochemical properties. The deposition was carried out on fluorine-doped tin oxide glasses (FTO glasses). The time of deposition was chosen equal to 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 minutes. As a result of the experiments, it was shown that the optimal duration of deposition under the selected conditions of the electrochromic layer formation was the interval from 5 to 20 minutes, inclusive. The deposition time of 40 minutes did not improve the optical characteristics of the film. At the same time, with the deposition duration of 60 and 80 minutes, the electrochemical and optical parameters sharply decreased, the coloration depth and irreversibility during bleaching, as well as the specific capacitances of the processes decreased. In the course of data processing, the film thickness was calculated depending on the duration of deposition in several ways. Comparison of the graphs obtained made it possible to determine the approximate amount of polyvinyl alcohol in the electrochromic composite coating, as well as to estimate the current efficiency of the electrodeposition and oxidation-reduction process of the electrochromic material. In this case, the volume of polyvinyl alcohol in the composite was approximately equal to the volume of nickel hydroxide, and the efficiency of Ni(OH)2 deposition and coloration-bleaching processes was approximately 100 %

Cuticle Deposition Duration In The Uterus Is One Of The Major Factors Affecting Eggshell Cuticle Quality In White Leghorn Laying Hens

Background: The cuticle formed in the uterus is the outermost layer as the first defense line of eggshell against microbial invasions in most avian species, and analyzing its genetic regulation and influencing factors are of great importance to egg biosecurity in poultry production worldwide. The current study compared the uterine transcriptome and proteome of laying hens producing eggs with good and poor cuticle quality (GC and PC, the top and tail of the cuticle quality distribution), and identified several genes involved with eggshell cuticle quality (ESCQ).Results: Overall, transcriptomic analysis identified 53 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PC vs GC group hens, among which 25 were up-regulated and 28 were down-regulated. No differences were found in the uterine proteome. Several DEGs, including PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR related to uterine functions and reproductive hormones, were validated by qPCR analysis. Egg quality measurements between GC and PC hens showed GC hens had longer laying interval between two consecutive ovipositions (25.64 ± 1.23 vs 24.94 ± 1.12 h) and thicker eggshell thickness (352.01 ± 23.04 vs 316.20 ± 30.58 μm) (P < 0.05). Apart from eggshell traits, other egg quality traits didn’t differ. The results above suggested the expression patterns of PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR genes in the uterus regulated the muscular activity rhythm and secretion function, which ensured the eggshell and cuticle deposition duration, and lead to the good ESCQ of the GC hens.Conclusions：The present study demonstrated eggshell and cuticle deposition duration in the uterus is one of the major factors affecting ESCQ in laying hens. PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR genes were discovered and might play crucial roles in cuticle deposition by regulating the uterine muscular activities and secretion function. The findings in the present study provide new insights into the genetic regulation of cuticle deposition in laying hens and establish a foundation for further investigations.

Electrodeposition of ZnO/Cu2O Heterojunctions on Ni-Mo-P Electroless Coating

Electroless Ni-Mo-P coatings were deposited onto ceramic tiles in order to be employed as electrodes for the electrodeposition of ZnO and Cu2O heterojunction layers. Varying conditions, such as duration, annealing of the electroless coating and applied potential, and duration for ZnO electrodeposition were studied in order to optimize the properties of the ZnO/Cu2O heterojunctions toward improved photoelectrical performance. The coatings were evaluated in terms of morphology, crystalline structure, and by electrochemical and photoelectrical means. The obtained results indicated that a prolonged annealing treatment at low temperature is beneficial to improve the roughness and electrical conductivity of the Ni-Mo-P coating to further enhance the electrodeposition of ZnO. The morphology analysis revealed continuous and homogeneous Ni-Mo-P coatings. The formation of cube-like Cu2O crystals with larger grain size was induced by increasing the deposition duration of ZnO. The properties of ZnO layer are much improved when a higher cathodic potential is applied (−0.8 V) for 1 h, resulting in optimum photoelectric parameters as 1.44 mA·cm−2 for the JSC and 760.23 µV for the VOC value, respectively, for the corresponding heterojunction solar cell.

Early-Stage Growth Mechanism and Synthesis Conditions-Dependent Morphology of Nanocrystalline Bi Films Electrodeposited from Perchlorate Electrolyte

Bi nanocrystalline films were formed from perchlorate electrolyte (PE) on Cu substrate via electrochemical deposition with different duration and current densities. The microstructural, morphological properties, and elemental composition were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). The optimal range of current densities for Bi electrodeposition in PE using polarization measurements was demonstrated. For the first time, it was shown and explained why, with a deposition duration of 1 s, co-deposition of Pb and Bi occurs. The correlation between synthesis conditions and chemical composition and microstructure for Bi films was discussed. The analysis of the microstructure evolution revealed the changing mechanism of the films’ growth from pillar-like (for Pb-rich phase) to layered granular form (for Bi) with deposition duration rising. This abnormal behavior is explained by the appearance of a strong Bi growth texture and coalescence effects. The investigations of porosity showed that Bi films have a closely-packed microstructure. The main stages and the growth mechanism of Bi films in the galvanostatic regime in PE with a deposition duration of 1–30 s are proposed.

Effects of electrodeposition time on a manganese dioxide supercapacitor

As is well known that the specific capacitance of supercapacitors cannot be improved by increasing the mass of the deposited MnO2 films, which means an appropriate deposition duration is important.

Effects of Process Parameters on Morphologies and Microstructures of Laser Melting Deposited V-5Cr-5Ti Alloys

V-Cr-Ti alloys are promising structural materials for future nuclear systems. In this study, a laser melting deposition process has been applied to the fabrications of V-5Cr-5Ti alloys. Laser powers of 1200W, 1400W and 1600W, scanning speeds of 400 mm/min and 600 mm/min, and scanning strategies of single directional scanning and dual directional scanning have been applied to investigate the effects on the morphologies and microstructures of formed individual deposits and thin walls. The dual directional scanning is favored for fabricating thin walls with regular shape, comparing to the single directional scanning. Microstructures of the deposits and walls consist of columnar grains and equiaxed grains. Due to the effects on temperature gradients, both the laser powers and deposition duration show significant effects on the microstructural evolutions of the thin wall samples. As the laser power and deposition duration increase, columnar to equiaxed transitions have been observed. The regions containing columnar grains and equiaxed grains have a <100> fiber texture and a random texture, respectively.