Enabling Extreme Low-Temperature (≤ -100 °C) Battery Cycling with Niobium Tungsten Oxides Electrode and Tailored Electrolytes.

The degradation of current Li-ion batteries (LIBs) hinders their use in electronic devices, electric vehicles, and other applications at low temperatures, particularly in extreme environments like the polar regions and outer space. This study presents a pseudocapacitive-type niobium tungsten oxides (NbWO) electrode material combined with tailored electrolytes, enabling extreme low-temperature battery cycling for the first time. The synthesized NbWO material exhibits analogous structural properties to previous studies. Its homogenous atom distribution can further facilitate Li+ diffusion, while its pseudocapacitive Li+ storage mechanism enables faster Li+ reactions. Notably, the NbWO electrode material exhibits remarkable battery performance even at -60 and -100 °C, showcasing capacities of ≈90 and ≈75 mAh g-1 , respectively. The electrolytes, which have demonstrated favorable Li+ transport attributes at low temperatures in the earlier investigations, now enable extreme low-temperature battery operations, a feat not achievable with either NbWO or the electrolytes independently. Moreover, the outcomes extend to -120 °C and encompass a pouch-type cell configuration at -100 °C, albeit with reduced performance. This study highlights the potential of NbWO for developing batteries for their use in extremely frigid environments.

Lithium-ion Battery Thermal Safety by Early Internal Detection, Prediction and Prevention.

Temperature rise in Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to solid electrolyte interfaces breakdown, uncontrollable exothermic reactions in electrodes and Joule heating can result in the catastrophic failures such as thermal runaway, which is calling for reliable real-time electrode temperature monitoring. Here, we present a customized LIB setup developed for early detection of electrode temperature rise during simulated thermal runaway tests incorporating a modern additive manufacturing-supported resistance temperature detector (RTD). An advanced RTD is embedded in a 3D printed polymeric substrate and placed behind the electrode current collector of CR2032 coin cells that can sustain harsh electrochemical operational environments (acidic electrolyte without Redox, short-circuiting, leakage etc.) without participating in electrochemical reactions. The internal RTD measured an average 5.8 °C higher temperature inside the cells than the external RTD with almost 10 times faster detection ability, prohibiting thermal runaway events without interfering in the LIBs' operation. A temperature prediction model is developed to forecast battery surface temperature rise stemming from measured internal and external RTD temperature signatures.

Effect of time and dose of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone agonist on the superovulatory response of sheep.

The objective of this study was to determine the superovulatory potential of a single-chain analog of human FSH (Fcα) when administered to ewes either 3 days before, or coincident with, simulated luteolysis (pessary removal [PR]). A total of 40 animals were randomly assigned to receive Fcα at doses of 0.62, 1.25, or 2.5 IU/kg of body weight (bwt) 3 days before PR or 0.31, 0.62, 1.25, or 2.5 IU/kg of bwt at PR. Control ewes received protein without FSH activity. Blood samples were collected during the periovulatory period and ovarian tissue was collected 11 days after PR. Ovulation rate did not differ from the control group in ewes receiving the smallest doses of Fcα (0.31 and 0.62 IU/kg). However, a significant superovulatory response was noted in sheep receiving Fcα at doses of 1.25 and 2.5 IU/kg and this response was comparable in animals receiving the largest dose levels of Fcα at, or 3 days before, PR. The interval between PR and the LH surge was significantly extended and the LH surges were less synchronous in animals receiving Fcα at PR when compared with animals receiving the potent FSH agonist 3 days before PR. Taken together, these data indicate that the human single-chain gonadotropin with FSH activity promotes superovulation in ewe lambs in the breeding season. A single injection of the recombinant gonadotropin 3 days before luteolysis synchronizes the LH surge. The use of the single-chain analog of FSH in assisted reproduction for domestic animals is likely to be of practical significance as an alternative to conventional gonadotropins in superovulation protocols in livestock species.

Effect of single-chain ovine gonadotropins with dual activity on ovarian function in sheep.

We examined the half-life and biological activity of two single-chain proteins that combined portions of ovine FSH and LH. We proposed the hypothesis that these chimeric proteins would display LH and FSH activities and would promote follicle maturation in ewes. Estrus activity was synchronized using progestogen-impregnated vaginal pessaries. To negate the impact of endogenous LH and FSH, animals received serum-containing antibodies against GNRH 1 day before pessary removal (PR). At PR sheep (five animals per group) received a single injection (10 IU/kg, i.v.) of either the ovine-based (oFcLcα) gonadotropin analog, an ovine-based analog containing oLHß truncated at the carboxyl terminus (oFcL(ΔT)cα), or a human-based gonadotropin analog (hFcLcα). Control animals received a comparable amount of gonadotropin-free protein. Ovulation was induced 3 days after PR using human chorionic gonadotropin (1000 IU, i.v.). Ovaries were collected 11 days after PR. Neither estradiol (E2) or progesterone (P4) production, development of preovulatory follicles or corpora lutea (CL) were noted in control animals receiving gonadotropin-free protein. Significant increase in the synthesis of E2 and P4 was noted in sheep receiving the dually active gonadotropin analogs. The number of CLs present 11 days after PR was significantly increased in sheep receiving the chimeric glycoproteins compared with control animals. The magnitude of the secretory and ovarian responses did not differ between hFcLcα and oFcLcα or between oFcLcα and oFcL(ΔT)cα. Immunoactivity of LH and FSH was low in control animals, but was significantly elevated in sheep receiving the gonadotropin analogs. In conclusion, ovine-based gonadotropin analogs are functionally active in sheep and a single injection is adequate to induce the development of multiple ovulatory follicles.

Effect of phytoestrogens on basal and GnRH-induced gonadotropin secretion.

Plant-derived estrogens (phytoestrogens, PEs), like endogenous estrogens, affect a diverse array of tissues, including the bone, uterus, mammary gland, and components of the neural and cardiovascular systems. We hypothesized that PEs act directly at pituitary loci to attenuate basal FSH secretion and increase gonadotrope sensitivity to GnRH. To examine the effect of PEs on basal secretion and total production of FSH, ovine pituitary cells were incubated with PEs for 48 h. Conditioned media and cell extract were collected and assayed for FSH. Estradiol (E2) and some PEs significantly decreased basal secretion of FSH. The most potent PEs in this regard were coumestrol (CM), zearalenone (ZR), and genistein (GN). The specificity of PE-induced suppression of basal FSH was indicated by the absence of suppression in cells coincubated with PEs and an estrogen receptor (ER) blocker (ICI 182 780; ICI). Secretion of LH during stimulation by a GnRH agonist (GnRH-A) was used as a measure of gonadotrope responsiveness. Incubation of cells for 12 h with E2, CM, ZR, GN, or daidzein (DZ) enhanced the magnitude and sensitivity of LH secretion during subsequent exposure to graded levels of a GnRH-A. The E2- and PE-dependent augmentation of gonadotrope responsiveness was nearly fully blocked during coincubation with ICI. Collectively, these data demonstrate that selected PEs (CM, ZR, and GN), like E2, decrease basal secretion of FSH, reduce total FSH production, and enhance GnRH-A-induced LH secretion in a manner that is dependent on the ER.

Single-chain human gonadotropin analogs induce follicle development in sheep.

The biopotency of single-chain analogs of human hFSH, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and a dually active gonadotropin construct (FcCGbetaalpha) was examined. Sheep (bwt=61.4+/-1.1 kg; n=6 ewes/treatment) received a single injection (5 IU/kg, i.v.) of the hFSH analog (Fcalpha), the hCG analog (CGbetaalpha), FcCGbetaalpha, or Fcalpha and CGbetaalpha. Control animals received conditioned media. Ovulation was induced 3 days after analog administration using hCG (1000 IU, i.v.). Basal serum concentrations of estradiol (E(2)) were maintained in control animals. Neither Fcalpha nor CGbetaalpha alone induced significant E(2) production during the pre-hCG period. Conversely, serum concentrations of E(2) were increased (P<0.05) 2 days after administration of FcCGbetaalpha or Fcalpha+ CGbetaalpha. Although P(4) concentrations were maintained at basal levels in control animals, significant increase was noted in all other treatment groups during the post-hCG period. Final ovarian weight was significantly increased (P<0.05) in animals receiving Fcalpha, Fcalpha+ CGbetaalpha, or FcCGbetaalpha, but not CGbetaalpha alone. Most of the ovarian enlargement was attributed to the formation of corpora lutea. Collectively, these observations demonstrate that the single-chain analogs of the human gonadotropins are active in sheep. The construct with singular FSH activity supports follicle development but not E(2) production. Conversely, the construct that incorporates beta-domains from both CG and FSH has dual activity. The long-lived nature of the single-chain constructs suggests that these recombinant gonadotropins may be effective alternatives to pituitary- or placenta-derived gonadotropins in out-of-season breeding and/or superovulation protocols.

Circulating estradiol suppresses luteinizing hormone pulse frequency during dietary restriction.

The influence of dietary restriction on the negative feedback potency of 17-beta-estradiol (E2) was evaluated in both castrated male (wethers) and female sheep (OVX ewes) during the breeding season. In study 1, OVX ewes received maintenance or restricted dietary energy for 7 weeks or maintenance energy for 6 weeks prior to a 5 day fast (n=12ewes/feeding group). Estradiol (0.31microg E2/50kg/h) or vehicle (10% EtOH-saline) was continuously infused into half the animals in each dietary treatment for the final 54h of the study. The dynamic pattern of LH secretion was assessed during the final 6h of infusion. Estradiol inhibited luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse amplitude independent of nutrition (P=0.02); fasting increased mean LH, LH peak height, and LH nadir in the absence of E2 (P=0.004, P=0.02, and P=0.02, respectively); while E2 inhibited pulse frequency (P=0.02) and increased peak width (P=0.04) in restricted ewes. Interestingly, despite uniform E2 delivery, serum concentrations of E2 differed with feeding status. Therefore, 12 wethers were infused with 0.31microg E2/50kg/h (6 fed, 6 fasted) and six wethers received 0.19microg E2/50kg/h (fasted) to establish similar serum concentrations of E2 in fed (0.31microg/50kg/h) and fasted (0.19microg/50kg/h) wethers. When fed and fasted wethers had uniform serum concentrations of E2 LH pulse frequency was suppressed (P<0.05) in fasted relative to fed animals, supporting the postulate that energy restriction enhances the E2 negative feedback potency. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that nutrition affects E2 feedback potency and clearance.

Using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and GnRH analogs to modulate testis function and enhance the productivity of domestic animals.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) controls the activity of the gonadotrope cells of the pituitary gland and, as a consequence, is a critical component of the endocrine cascade that determines the growth, development, and functional activity of testicular tissue. The use of GnRH and GnRH analogs is common in domestic animal production systems. Although GnRH and GnRH analogs are most commonly used to control the fertility and reproductive events in female animals, GnRH agonists and antagonists are increasingly used to modulate the fertility, behavior, and productivity of male animals as well. This review will focus on recent advances in this use of GnRH agonists and antagonists.