Purified air is provided, having a TVOC content of from less than 5 ppb to about 500 ppb, a Biologicals content of from less than 1 CFU/M.sup.3 to 150 CFU/M.sup.3 and a Particulate content of from about 1,000 0.3 μm particles per ft.sup.3 to about 50,000 0.3 μm particles per ft.sup.3, or from about 600 0.5 μm particles per ft.sup.3 to about 500,000 0.5 μm particles per ft.sup.3.

Disclosed are fluid controllers configured for removable attachment to a fluid introduction device, wherein the fluid controller comprises a body configured to extend at least partially over the fluid introduction device; an orifice arranged relative to the body to facilitate transfer of a fluid from the fluid introduction device through the fluid controller; a fluid retention structure extending outwardly from at least a portion of the body, wherein the fluid retention structure is configured to engage with a wall of a vaginal canal and inhibit a flow of the fluid from the vaginal canal; and at least one connector configured to releasably attach the fluid controller to the fluid introduction device.

Disclosed are fluid controllers configured for removable attachment to a fluid introduction device, wherein the fluid controller comprises a body configured to extend at least partially over the fluid introduction device; an orifice arranged relative to the body to facilitate transfer of a fluid from the fluid introduction device through the fluid controller; a fluid retention structure extending outwardly from at least a portion of the body, wherein the fluid retention structure is configured to engage with a wall of a vaginal canal and inhibit a flow of the fluid from the vaginal canal; and at least one connector configured to releasably attach the fluid controller to the fluid introduction device.

A stage device capable of performing piercing vibration and translational driving by using one actuator, and performing very low-speed driving in the translational driving with high accuracy. The stage device includes an X stage having a vibration actuator that includes an vibration element and a contact body, one of which is a movable body connected to an object to be driven, and drives the object to be driven in an X-axis direction, and a control section that controls driving of the vibration actuator. The control section causes two-phase AC voltages to be applied to an electromechanical energy conversion element to thereby excite predetermined vibrations in the vibration element, to drive the vibration actuator by switching between a movement mode for moving the object to be driven in the X-axis direction and a vibration mode for vibrating the object to be driven in the X-axis direction.

A stage device capable of performing piercing vibration and translational driving by using one actuator, and performing very low-speed driving in the translational driving with high accuracy. The stage device includes an X stage having a vibration actuator that includes an vibration element and a contact body, one of which is a movable body connected to an object to be driven, and drives the object to be driven in an X-axis direction, and a control section that controls driving of the vibration actuator. The control section causes two-phase AC voltages to be applied to an electromechanical energy conversion element to thereby excite predetermined vibrations in the vibration element, to drive the vibration actuator by switching between a movement mode for moving the object to be driven in the X-axis direction and a vibration mode for vibrating the object to be driven in the X-axis direction.

Methods for improving the functionality and/or fertility of sperm, for example, by enhancing motility and/or extending the lifespan of sperm by subjecting the isolated sperm to a starvation protocol and/or ionophore are provided. Such methods may be used in, for example, artificial insemination to reduce the number of sperm needed for insemination and to improve conception rates.

Methods for improving the functionality and/or fertility of sperm, for example, by enhancing motility and/or extending the lifespan of sperm by subjecting the isolated sperm to a starvation protocol and/or ionophore are provided. Such methods may be used in, for example, artificial insemination to reduce the number of sperm needed for insemination and to improve conception rates.

Purified air is provided, having a TVOC content of from less than 5 ppb to about 500 ppb, a Biologicals content of from less than 1 CFU/M.sup.3 to 150 CFU/M.sup.3 and a Particulate content of from about 1,000 0.3 μm particles per ft.sup.3 to about 50,000 0.3 μm particles per ft.sup.3, or from about 600 0.5 μm particles per ft.sup.3 to about 500,000 0.5 μm particles per ft.sup.3.

Purified air is provided, having a TVOC content of from less than 5 ppb to about 500 ppb, a Biologicals content of from less than 1 CFU/M.sup.3 to 150 CFU/M.sup.3 and a Particulate content of from about 1,000 0.3 μm particles per ft.sup.3 to about 50,000 0.3 μm particles per ft.sup.3, or from about 600 0.5 μm particles per ft.sup.3 to about 500,000 0.5 μm particles per ft.sup.3.

Methods are provided of identifying a male fertility condition in a subject. Methods of performing a fertility treatment and an in vitro fertilization procedure are also provided. The methods may comprise determining the DNA methylation pattern of DNA extracted from a semen sample of a subject.