Abstract: A method of eliminating a gilt from selection for breeding comprising (i) obtaining a vaginal lipidome profile from a gilt at around the time of weaning and (ii) using the vaginal lipidome profile to assign the gilt as probable fertile or infertile; a method of analyzing a lipidome profile of a gilt vaginal swab comprising (i) receiving a vaginal swab obtained from a gilt at around the time of weaning and (ii) analyzing, or having analyzed, lipids obtained from the vaginal swab, and (iii) determining, or having determined, decreases/increases in lipid levels compared to normal; and a kit for obtaining a vaginal swab from a gilt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for depositing a metal on a material. The process comprises the steps of: immersing the material in deposition solution comprising the metal; inducing a material vibration in the deposition solution having a frequency corresponding to a resonance frequency of the material; including a solution vibration in the deposition solution in a direction non-parallel to the material vibration, said solution vibration having a frequency corresponding to the a resonance frequency of the deposition solution, whereby said metal is deposited onto the material. This process results in deposition of metal from the plating bath on the material in a controlled and substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for depositing a metal on a material. The process comprises the steps of: immersing the material in a deposition solution comprising the metal; inducing a material vibration in the deposition solution having a frequency corresponding to a resonance frequency of the material; inducing a solution vibration in the deposition solution in a direction non-parallel to the material vibration, said solution vibration having a frequency corresponding to the a resonance frequency of the deposition solution, whereby said metal is deposited onto the material. This process results in deposition of metal from the plating bath on the material in a controlled and substantially uniform thickness.