• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.308-311
• /
• 2013

The effect of an electric field on the ac electrical treeing in various epoxy/reactive diluent systems was studied in a needle-plate electrode geometry. Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) type epoxy was used as a base resin, and 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDGE) or polyglycol (PG) as a reactive diluent was introduced to the DGEBA system, in order to decrease the viscosity of the DGEBA epoxy system. BDGE was acted as a chain extender, and PG acted as a flexibilizer, after the curing reaction. To measure the treeing initiation time and the propagation rate, three constant alternating currents (ac) of 10, 13 and 15 kV/4.2 mm (60 Hz) were applied to the specimen, in a needle-plate electrode arrangement, at $30^{\circ}C$ of insulating oil bath. When 10 kV/4.2 mm (60 Hz) was applied, the treeing initiation time and the propagation rate in the DGEBA system were 356 min and $1.10{\times}10^{-3}$ mm/min, respectively, those in the DGEBA/BDGE system were 150 min and $1.14{\times}10^{-3}$ mm/min, respectively. Those in the DGEBA/PG system were 469 min and $1.05{\times}10^{-3}$ mm/min, respectively. As 15 kV/4.2 mm (60 Hz) was applied, the propagation rate in the DGEBA system was $5.41{\times}10^{-3}$ mm/min, and that in the DGEBA/PG system was $1.42{\times}10^{-3}$ mm/min. These values meant that PG could be used as a reactive diluent in the DGEBA system, without the deterioration of the insulation breakdown property.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.163-166
• /
• 2012

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between elapsed time after semen preservation on the changes of bacteria and semen quality. Semen was diluted with BTS(Beltsville Thawing Solution) extender without antibiotic for 7 days and sperm parameter and fertility were measured. Sperm motility was measured by CASA and total bacteria number was counted after 22~24 hr incubation from counting agar plate in which sperm dilute to $10{\sim}10^6$ in 0.9% saline solution and inoculate to agar. Acrosomal integrity was measured by Chlortetracycline (CTC) staining. CTC patterns were uniform fluorescence over the whole head (pattern F), characteristic of incapacitated acrosome-intact spermatozoa; fluorescence-free band in the post-acrosomal region (pattern B), characteristic of capacitated acrosome-intact spermatozoa; and almost no fluorescence over the whole head except for a thin band in the equatorial segment (pattern AR), characteristic of acrosome reacted spermatozoa. Total number of bacteria was significantly increased (p<0.0001) 3 days after preservation. Sperm motility, viability, and morphological abnormality on elapsed time after preservation were lower from 5 ($77.24{\pm}6.47$, p<0.001) and 7 days ($77.24{\pm}6.47$, p<0.001) after preservation compared to 1 ($15.71{\pm}7.18$) and 3 days($18.39{\pm}7.22$) after preservation, respectively. Sperm viability was significantly lower ($53.25{\pm}35.03$, p<0.0001) at 7 days after preservation. Morphological abnormality of sperm was lower (p<0.001) at 1 ($15.71{\pm}7.18$) and 3 ($18.39{\pm}7.22$) days compared to 5 ($21.84{\pm}7.91$) and 7 ($22.59{\pm}9.93$) days after preservation. Acrosomal integrity and capacitation rate (pattern F) were significantly lower (p<0.001) from 5 days after preservation. Based on the data we obtained from this study suggested that semen preserved more than 5 days without antibiotic would not recommend use for artificial insemination.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.203-207
• /
• 2011

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of semen extenders on the motility, viability and fertility in vitro of spermatozoa during storage of fresh boar semen diluted in different commercial extenders used for pig artificial insemination (AI). In this experiment, semen were diluted in Androhep plus, Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS), Modena, Seminark and Vitasem LD. Five ejaculates were collected from three Duroc boars and sub-samples were diluted ($30{\times}10^6$ spermatozoa/ml) in different extenders. Semen was stored at $170^{\circ}C$ for 10 days. Sperm motility and viability was assessed using Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) and flow-cytometry on 1, 3, 5 and 10 day post collection The motility of spermatozoa stored in different extenders was gradually decreased by increasing the duration of storage of semen. However, there was not significant1y different in the sperm motility and viability among other extenders. On the other hand, the in vitro-matured oocytes were fertilized and cultured in vitro to assess the fertility of boar spermatozoa stored for 3 and 10 days in different extenders. The percentage of morula and blastocyst were taken as indicators of fertility in vitro of spermatozoa. Therefore, there were no differences in the rate of embryos developed to the molular and blastocyst stage. There were no differences in the motility and fertility in vitro among 5 kinds of commercial boar semen extenders.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.133-139
• /
• 2005

Oxidative stress is one of the major causes of failure in in vitro storage of boar semen. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to be important mediators of such stress. The present study examined the effects of pyruvate and taurine on sperm motility and expression of BAD, Cytochrome c, Caspase-3 and Cox-2 protein in in vitro storage of boar semen, and tested the effect of semen treated with antioxidant with or without hydrogen peroxide on the development of IVM/IVF porcine embryos. Semen samples were transported to the laboratory at $17^{\circ}C$ within 2 hr after collection and were treated with different concentration of pyruvate $(1\~10mM)$ and taurine $(25\~100mM)$ with or without 250uM $H_2O_2$ respectively. The supplementation of pyruvate and taurine increased sperm motility in boar semen during in vitro incubation at $37^{\circ}C$. Expression of apoptosis protein (BAD, cytochrome c, caspase-3 and cox-2) were reduced in the group of boar semen treated with pyruvate and taurine when compared to the other groups. The developmental rates of IVM/IVF porcine embryos fertilized by semen treated with pyruvate and taurine were significantly increased when compared to control (P<0.005). These results indicate that supplementation of pyruvate and taurine as antioxidants in boar semen extender can improve the semen quality and increase in vitro development of porcine IVM/IVF embryos when boar semen treated with antioxidants was used for in vitro fertilization.

• Elastomers and Composites
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2007

In this study, for enhancing the durability of permeable pavement material polyurethane(PU) adhesives were developed, and the physical properties upon polymerization and additives were studied. PU polymerization followed the bulk polymerization of free solvent type considering ecological aspect. Additives used in this study were carbon black, calcium carbonate and ultra violet stabilizer. The property changes upon different environment were evaluated with the compressive strength which is the principal measurement of the property of pavement materials. Among polymerized PU, one formulated with esterpolyol and crosslinkable chain extender gave the highest compressive strength of $74.9kgf/cm^2$, better than commercial $60kgf/cm^2$. The strength was the highest when the material specimen contained carbon black and calcium carbonate 20 wt%, respectively. However, UV stabilizer did not show good weathering properties.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.58-65
• /
• 1983

The mechanical properties (tensile strength, 100% modulus and hardness) of the urethane elastomers prepared from hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), several low molecular weight diols (ethylene glycol, 1, 3-propane diol, 1,4-butane diol, 1,5-pentane diol and 1,6-hexane diol) and two kinds of diisocyanates(TDI: toluene diisocyanate, IPDI: isophorone diisomechanical properties were enhanced for the increases of the concentrations of the urethane group, as predicted. In case of TDI, when the mechanical properties of the elastomers were plotted patterns were observed, which can be explained by hydrogen bondings depending on the number of the methylene carbons. But the mechanical properties of the elastomers derived from IPDI had decreasing curves against the number of methylene carbons in low molecular weight diols, without the characteristic zigzag patterns.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.340-345
• /
• 2008

Oxidative stress is one of the major causes of failure of in vitro storage of boar semen. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are one of the important mediators of oxidative stress during in vitro storage of boar semen. Our study examined the effects of taurine on sperm characteristic and on in vitro developmental embryos during in vitro storage of boar semen for 7 days. Semen was randomly aliquoted into 3 centrifuge tubes and treated with different concentrations of taurine (25-100 mM). The characteristics of boar sperm were analyzed for motility by light microscopy, viability by using a Makler counting chamber and membrane integrity by a hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST). The percentages of motile spermatozoa in taurine groups after 5 days were significantly higher compared to the control. Sperm viability in the control was lower than in taurine groups after 7 days irrespective of different taurine concentration. In the hyoosmotic swelling test (HOST), significantly higher results were obtained in taurine groups after 3 days. Also, the developmental rates of IVM/IVF porcine embryos from semen treated with pyruvate and taurine were significantly increased when compared with the control (p<0.05). These results indicate that supplementation of taurine as an antioxidant in boar semen extender can improve the semen quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.181-189
• /
• 2011

Cryopreservation protocols induce partially irreversible damage to mammalian sperm plasma membranes. Previous studies have indicated that adding cholesterol to the plasma membrane, as cholesterol-loaded-cyclodextrins, improves cryosurvival of sperm. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if treating sperm of Markhoz bucks with cholesterol-loaded-cyclodextrins (CLC) (0, 0.75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3 mg/ml diluted $240{\times}10^6$ sperm/ml) in Tris-citric acid-glucose diluents with and without egg yolk (containing 5% glycerol) would improve the post-thaw sperm quality. The motion characteristics were evaluated with a Computer Assisted System Analyzer (CASA); acrosome integrity and vitality were measured with the triple-stain technique. Samples were recovered before and after freezing by means of putting straws into $37^{\circ}C$ water for 30 sec and then parameters were assessed. The results showed that the treatments significantly affected motility, progressive motility, recovery rate, curvilinear velocity, beat cross frequency, live sperm with reacted acrosome, live sperm with unreacted acrosome, dead sperm with reacted acrosorne, and dead sperm with unreacted acrosome during freezing (p<0.05). However; no significant differences were found for average path velocity, straight line velocity, amplitude of lateral head displacement, straightness and linearity (p>0.05). The best results were observed for extender containing 2.25 mg/ml ($240{\times}10^6$ sperm/ml) CLC supplemented with 2.6% egg yolk. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate improved Markhoz sperm viability and motility following treatment in the presence of egg yolk.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.13-18
• /
• 2012

A die casting mold releasing agent was prepared from aqueous mixture of powdery carbon black and water soluble natural polymeric materials such as xanthan gum(X-gum) and carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC), which were used as thickening agent as well as curing agent with aldehydes. The suitable concentration of natural polymers for stable dispersion of carbon black in water was 0.25 wt% of X-gum or 1.0 wt% of CMC. When CMC was used less than 1 wt%, the final carbon black disperion showed a rapid phase separation. The adhesion of carbon black releasing agent on glass plate was improved with the amount of crosslinking agent, glutaraldehyde and chain extender, oligosaccharide. However, the affinity of carbon black releasing agent prepared with X-gum was stronger than that with CMC on glass plate. The final carbon black mold releasing agents prepared under our mixing conditions can be applied to the production of castings of high quality with good workability and without worthening evironmental situations.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.257-264
• /
• 2005

Polyurethanes containing z-Iysine segments in the main chain (PULL) were synthesized from 4,4'-diphe-nylmethyl diisocyanate, poly(tetramethylene glycol), and z-Iysine oligomer as a chain extender. The PULL film was treated first with a $10\%$ HBr-acetic acid solution and subsequently with a saturated sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution to produce a primary amine group on the surface (PULL-N). Lactobionic acid (LA)-immobilized PULL (PULL-L) was prepared by the coupling reaction of the PULL surface amine groups and the LA carboxylic acid groups. The surface-modified PULLs were then characterized by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, atomic force microscopy, and contact angle goniometry. In the hepatocytes adhesion experiment, the cells poorly adhered to the PULL surface, although they adhered moderately well to the PULL-N surface. On the other hand, the cells adhered well to the PULL-L surface, suggesting the good affinity of the surface $\beta$-galactose moieties for hepatocytes. When hepatocytes were cultured in the presence of epidermal growth factor for 48 h, the cells rapidly aggregated on the PULL-L surface, whereas they aggregated only slowly on the other surfaces. The PULL prepared in this study has the potential to be used as a coating material for the enhancement of hepatocyte adhesion.