• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.198-204
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to ascertain the effects of adding green tea extract (GTE) to skim milk-egg yolk (SM-EY) extender on both the quality of post-thawed bull semen and the pregnancy rates of the recipient cows. Methods: Twelve ejaculates from four Simmental bulls, aged 3 to 5 years and weighing 900 to 950 kg, were diluted SM-EY extender, added with 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 mg GTE/100 mL extender and then frozen. After four weeks storage in liquid nitrogen, the sperm were thawed and evaluated for viability, motility, intact plasma membrane (IPM), and DNA fragmentation. Meanwhile, the estrus cycles of 48 recipient cows were synchronized by intramuscular administration of a single injection of 5 mg prostaglandin F2α. Estrus cows were divided into four equal groups and inseminated artificially 18 to 20 h after the onset of estrus by using semen from each extender group. Pregnancy was diagnosed by measuring serum progesterone levels at 21 days, followed by transrectal palpation 90 days after insemination. Results: The findings revealed that adding 0.1 mg of GTE/100 mL extender produced the highest percentages of sperm viability (70.67%±1.75%), motility (69.17%±1.47%), and IPM (69.23%±1.21%) and the lowest percentage of DNA fragmentation (3.00%±0.50%). The pregnancy diagnosis revealed that all cows (36/36) inseminated using frozen semen in GTE addition extender were pregnant (pregnancy rate 100%), whereas the pregnancy rate of the control group was 83.33% (10/12). Conclusion: It may be concluded that 0.1 mg GTE/100 mL extender yields the best quality of spermatozoa and that all variants doses of GTE in extender produce a higher pregnancy rate among recipient cows.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.50 no.8
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• pp.613-618
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• 2012

We report on electrical and mechanical properties of silicon nitride ($SiN_x$) films deposited by a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method at $200^{\circ}C$ from $SiH_4$ highly diluted in $N_2$. The films were also prepared from $SiH_4$ diluted in He for comparison. The $N_2$ dilution was also effective in improving adhesion of the $SiN_x$ films, fascilitating construction of thin film transistors (TFTs). Metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) and Metal-insulator-Metal (MIM) structures were used for capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current-voltage (I-V) measurements, respectively. The resistivity and breakdown field strength of the $SiN_x$ films from $N_2$-diluted $SiH_4$ were estimated to be $1{\times}10^{13}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$, 7.4 MV/cm, respectively. The MIS device showed a hysteresis window and a flat band voltage shift of 3 V and 0.5 V, respectively. The TFTs fabricated by using these films showed a field-effect mobility of $0.16cm^2/Vs$, a threshold voltage of 3 V, a subthreshold slope of 1.2 V/dec, and an on/off ratio of > $10^6$.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.411-416
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• 2022

Natural products are important sources for drug development because they have a wide variety of useful biological properties. Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) has been used as an herbal medicine for treatment of colds, pain, and anemia. The present study was designed to evaluate the regulatory effect of AGN on immune enhancement in vivo and in vitro. To investigate the immune-enhancing effect of AGN, we used forced swimming test (FST) experimental model. Mice were orally administered by AGN or distilled water for 14 days and then immobility time and biological parameters in serum were measured. The results showed that immobility time in AGN treatment group was significantly reduced in comparison with the control group. Plasma levels of blood urea nitrogen and lactate dehydrogenase in AGN group was significantly decreased compared with control group. Additionally, we showed that AGN treatment significantly increased immune-related cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-2, and interferon (IFN)-𝛾 levels in Molt-4 cells. Collectively, the findings provide experimental evidence that AGN may be effective in improving immune function.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

Coal gasification is a process of incomplete coal combustion to produce a syngas composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. It is one of methods to utilize coal cleanly because the process does not emits nitrogen oxides or sulfur oxides and particulate matters. In addition, chemicals can be produced using syngas. Coal gasification is classified as IGCC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle), Plasma coal gasification and UCG (Underground Coal Gasification). Recently, WGS (Water Gas Shift) reactor and carbon capture system have been combined to gasifier to produce hydrogen from coal. In this study, the coal gasification and method of hydrogen production from syngas was summarized, and the hydrogen production from coal gasification project was investigated.

• Journal of Ceramic Processing Research
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• v.13 no.spc2
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• pp.328-331
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• 2012

With the recent development of super-precision optical instruments, camera modules for devices, such as portable terminals and digital camera lenses, are increasingly being used. Since an optical lens is usually produced by high-temperature compression molding methods using tungsten carbide (WC) alloy molding cores, it is necessary to develop and study technology for super-precision processing of molding cores and coatings for the core surface. In this study, Rhenium-Iridium (Re-Ir) thin films were deposited onto a WC molding core using a sputtering system. The Re-Ir thin films were prepared by a multi-target sputtering technique, using iridium, rhenium, and chromium as the sources. Argon and nitrogen were introduced through an inlet into the chamber to be the plasma and reactive gases. The Re-Ir thin films were prepared with targets having a composition ratio of 30 : 70, and the Re-Ir thin films were formed with a 240 nm thickness. Re-Ir thin films on WC molding core were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and Ra (the arithmetical average surface roughness). Also, adhesion strength and coefficient friction of Re-Ir thin films were examined. The Re-Ir coating technique has received intensive attention in the coating processes field because of promising features, such as hardness, high elasticity, abrasion resistance and mechanical stability that result from the process. Re-Ir coating technique has also been applied widely in industrial and biomedical applications. In this study, WC molding core was manufactured, using high-performance precision machining and the effects of the Re-Ir coating on the surface roughness.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.839-846
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• 2007

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of the ginseng by-product on growth performance and meat quality in finishing pigs. The animals used in the experiment were a total of 24 Landrace×Yorkshire and weighted 65.81±2.02kg. The experimental diets were basal diet(CON) and 2.5% ginseng by-product(GBP), which replaced lupin in basal diet. The pigs were allotted at 4 pigs per pen with three replicate pens per treatment by completely randomized design. In growth performance, ADFI was significantly lower(P<0.0001) in GBP than in CON. In plasma biochemical composition, total protein(P<0.01), blood urea nitrogen(P<0.03), glucose(P<0.01), albumin(P<0.02), calcium(P<0.01) and inorganic phosphate(P<0.01) were significantly higher in GBP than in CON. Carcass and meat quality were not significantly different between treatments. Total ginsenoside content on meat was significantly higher(P<0.0001) in GBP than in CON. TBARs was significantly lower in GBP than in CON for 6 days(P<0.03) and 12 days (P<0.06), respectively. Our research indicates that plasma biochemical composition, total ginsenoside content and TBARs were affected when replaced with ginseng by-product. Ginseng by-product in the pig diet increased pig muscle ginsenoside, indicating that ginseng by-product can be used as a feed additive.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2013

The preventive actions of methanol extracts from Ribes diacanthum Pall. (RDP) against high blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic mice were investigated. ICR mice (male, 8 wks) were divided into four experimental groups: a normal group (N), an alloxan-induced group (control), a RDP 1 mg/kg b.w./day + alloxan group (RDP-1) and a RDP 3 mg/kg b.w./day + alloxan group (RDP-2). Mice were fed RDP extracts for 14 days and then a diabetic condition induced by injecting alloxan (50 mg/kg b.w. i.v.). The total phenolic contents of RDP were 0.508 mg/g. Plasma glucose levels were significantly lower in RDP groups (RDP+alloxan) than the control (alloxan-induced diabetic group). In an oral glucose tolerance test, the glucose levels of RDP extract groups were significantly decreased compared to the control group. The levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, AST, ALT, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen in serum were lower in the RDP groups than the control group, whereas levels of HDL-cholesterol showed no difference between treatment groups. We conclude that RDP extracts positively influence blood glucose levels in diabetic mice.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1117-1123
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• 2017

Objective: This study was conducted to compare growth performance, blood components and carcass traits by two feeding systems (concentrate with roughage separately [CON] vs total mixed ration [TMR]) in Hanwoo steers, and to learn the relationship between blood components during fattening or finishing phases and carcass traits in Hanwoo steers. Methods: Sixty steers aged 8 months were allotted to two feeding systems and fed similar amounts of average dry matter and total digestible nutrient throughout whole experimental period according to each feeding program. Steers were weighed monthly, taken blood at the end of growing, fattening and finishing periods, and slaughtered at 30 month of age. Results: Growing performance was higher (p<0.05) in the CON group compared to the TMR group during fattening and finishing periods. The CON group was lower (p<0.05) in blood aspartic acid transaminase, blood urea nitrogen and retinol levels during growing period, but higher in triglyceride and cholesterol levels during fattening and finishing periods compared to the TMR group. The CON group was greater (p<0.05) in rib-eye area, and lighter (p<0.05) red in meat color compared to the TMR group. In the correlation coefficients between blood components of steers and carcass traits, retinol had a negative (p<0.05) correlation with marbling score and rib-eye area. Leptin had a positive (p<0.05) correlation with back fat thickness. Blood cholesterol and triglyceride were positively (p<0.05) correlated with carcass weight and rib-eye area. Conclusion: Growth performance, carcass ribeye area and meat color showed a more desirable result in the CON compared to the TMR in Hanwoo steers. Assessing the accumulated data of carcass traits with blood components including hormones-particularly retinol, cholesterol, triglyceride, and leptin-during the fattening or finishing phases, it may be possible to find a biomarker for determining beef quality in living animals.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.485-494
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• 2020

Limiting amino acids (AAs) for milk production in dairy cows fed on a concentrate diet of corn grain and soybean meal was evaluated in this study. Four lactating and multiparous Holstein cows (in third or fourth parities, with an average body weight of 633 ± 49.2 kg), 8 to 9 weeks into their lactation period, were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The experiment comprised four dietary treatments: (1) no intravenous infusion (control); (2) control plus intravenous infusion of an AA mixture of 6 g/d methionine, 19.1 g/d lysine, 13.8 g/d isoleucine, and 15.4 g/d valine (4AA); (3) control plus intravenous infusion of the AA mixture without methionine (no-Met); and (4) control plus intravenous infusion of the AA mixture without lysine (no-Lys). All animals were fed on a controlled diet (1 kg/d alfalfa hay, 10 kg/d silage, 14 kg/d concentrate mixture, ad libitum timothy hay). The AA composition of the diet and blood were determined using an automatic AA analyzer. Milk composition (protein, fat, lactose, urea nitrogen, and somatic cell counts) was determined using a MilkoScan. The results showed that feed intake for milk production did not differ from that of intravenous infusion using a limiting AA mixture. The 4AA treatment numerically had the highest milk yield (32.4 kg/d), although there was no difference when compared with the control (31.2 kg/d), no-Met (31.3 kg/d), and no-Lys (31.7 kg/d) treatments. The concentration of AAs in blood plasma of cows in all treatments, mainly isoleucine and valine, increased significantly compared with that of control. The no-Met treatment increased (p < 0.05) the concentration of lysine in the blood relative to the control and no-Lys treatments, whereas the no-Lys treatment increased (p < 0.05) the concentration of methionine relative to the control and no-Met treatments. In conclusion, milk production increased when feeding 10 g/d methionine to the cows, together with their concentrate diet of corn grain and soybean meal.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.521-532
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• 2020

The production performance of broiler breeder hens in response to different levels of total lysine during the early laying period was investigated. A total of 126 Ross 308 parent stock hens were offered one of seven dietary treatments formulating elevated contents of total lysine ranging from 0.55% to 0.79% (0.04 scale; 133 g of feed) from 23 to 29 weeks of age. Each treatment had six replicates with three birds per pen. Body weight was recorded triweekly and eggs were collected and weighted at 9:00 am daily. One hen from each pen was euthanized to collect blood samples and visceral organs were harvested and weighed. Egg production, egg weight and egg mass were lower (p < 0.05) in hens offered a diet containing 0.55% total lysine compared to those fed the diet containing higher total lysine. Hens offered a diet containing 0.71%, 0.75%, and 0.79% total lysine had greater (p = 0.008) egg production rate compared to those offered a diet containing lysine less than 0.71%. The number of total eggs produced tended to be greater (p = 0.083) in hens offered a diet containing 0.71 and 0.75% total lysine compared to the other treatments. The number of settable egg production was higher (p < 0.001) in hens offered a diet contacting 0.79% total lysine compared to those fed the diet containing lower levels of total lysine. The relative weights of oviduct and ovary were lower (p < 0.05) in hens offered a diet containing 0.59% total lysine compared to the other treatments. No difference found in body weight, the number of total eggs, double-yolk eggs and abnormal shell eggs among the treatments. The urea nitrogen, estradiol-17 beta and progesterone in plasma were not affected by treatments. Based on linear- and quadratic-plateau models, total lysine requirements for egg production, settable egg production and egg mass at the early laying period were to be 0.73%, 0.77%, and 0.71%, respectively. Modern broiler breeder hens likely require higher total lysine than NRC recommendation in a diet for enhancing productivity during the early-laying period.