Synthesis and crystallization behaviors of modified PET copolymers

A series of random copolyesters having various compositions were synthesized by bulk copolymerization of bishydroxyethyl terephthalate (BHET) with 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol (CHDM) or dimethyl isophthalate (DMI). CHDM and DMI content was less than 10 wt%. For the synthesized copolyesters, isothermal crystallization rate, melting behavior, and equilibrium temperature were investigated by calorimetry and by Avrami and Hoffman-Weeks equation. Crystalline lattice and morphology were studied by WAXD and SEM. Regardless of the composition, the value of the Avrami exponent was about 3, which indicates that crystallization mechanism of the copolyester was similar to those of PET homopolymer. Incoporation of CHDM or DMI units in PET backbone decreased the crystallization rate of the copolyesters. Surface free energy of copolyesters was evaluated using the newly proposed equation. The value of surface free energy was about 189×10⁻⁶ J²/m⁴ regardless of comonomer contents. This result is in good agreement with that of PET homopolymer.     

Mechanical properties of denim fabric reinforced poly(lactic acid)

Denim, a twilled cotton fabric, was used to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The denim fabric reinforced composites with different numbers of denim layers were fabricated by using a hand layup method. The impact, tensile, and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were observed with increasing denim layers to examine the reinforcing effect of denim fabrics. Numerical analysis was carried out to model the elastic modulus of the composite by using a commercial software. Three-dimensional geometry of the denim fabric reinforced PLA composite was generated through a CAD program, and the elastic modulus was calculated by applying uniform deformation on one surface. The impact strength, tensile strength, and thermal properties of the composites were improved by piling denim fabrics. The denim fabric reinforced composites exhibited outstanding impact strength due to the retarded crack propagation as well as large energy dissipation. The 3 layer denim reinforced composite showed best results among all specimens, and its impact strength, tensile strength, and tensile modulus were measured to be 82 J/m, 75.76 MPa, and 4.65 GPa, respectively. The PLA/denim composites have good mechanical properties and can substitute traditional composites such as glass fiber or carbon fiber reinforced composites.     

Effect of Bacteriophage in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) Infected Pigs

We evaluated effect of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) specific lytic phage CJ12 in ETEC infected pigs. Phage was mixed with feed at a ratio of 1:1,000 (0.1%). One week after initially providing phage mixed feed, pigs were challenged orally with 10(11) CFU of ETEC and body weight, diarrhea score, bacterial CFU and phage PFU in the feces were measured. Pigs of phage treated groups C (10(6) PFU/g) and D (10(8) PFU/g) showed more resistance to diarrhea due to ETEC infection compared to positive control group B on the third day after the initial challenge. Moreover, during the quantitation of ETEC in feces, both groups C and D showed approximately 63.92 and 60.73% reduced ETEC compared to positive control group B. Phages were successfully isolated from feces in both groups C and D during the experiment without any adverse effects, suggesting the possibility of using CJ12 as a feed additive.     

Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of dislocation intersection in copper

The results of massively parallel three-dimensional molecular dynamics simulations of the perpendicular intersection of extended dislocations in copper are reported. The intersection process, which involves three of the four possible 111 glide planes in the face-centered cubic lattice, begins with junction formation, followed by unzipping, partial dislocation bowing, cutting, and, finally, unit jog formation. The investigation provides insights into this complex atomistic process, which is currently not accessible to experimental investigation.     

Comparison of in vitro and in vivo fertilizing potential of buffalo bull semen frozen in egg yolk‐, soya bean lecithin‐ and liposome‐based extenders

The objective of this study was to compare different extenders for post‐thaw in vitro sperm function and in vivo fertility of buffalo semen. Accordingly, sperm of 30 ejaculates extended in egg yolk (TRIS with 20% egg yolk; EY), two soya lecithin‐based (SL‐1; AndroMed^® and SL‐2; Bioxcell^®) and a liposome‐based extender (LS; OptiXcell^®) were tested. The post‐thaw semen was evaluated for computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA), sperm viability, membrane and acrosome integrity, DNA integrity and acrosome reaction and first service pregnancy rate (FSPR) in a fixed‐time artificial insemination programme. Total motility and VCL were the only CASA‐based parameters that exhibited significantly higher (p < .05) percentage in LS among these extenders. Post‐thaw percentage of acrosome integrity (55.9 ± 1.4, 58.1 ± 2.0, 55.8 ± 2.0, 56.6 ± 2.3) and DNA integrity (68.8 ± 2.0, 69.2 ± 2.3, 71.3 ± 2.1, 69.1 ± 2.1) did not differ (p > .05) in EY, SL‐1, SL‐2 and LS extender, respectively. However, a variable response in terms of efficacy of different extenders for sperm viability and plasma membrane integrity was observed. Assessment of inducibility of acrosome reaction showed significant differences between extenders (51.9 ± 2.1, 44.3 ± 2.4, 46.1 ± 2.3 and 58.1 ± 3.1%, respectively, for EY, SL‐1, SL‐2 and LS). Furthermore, field trials revealed significantly higher (p < .05) FSPR of LS‐extended semen as compared to that for EY, SL‐1 and SL‐2 extender (46.3%, 41.2%, 31.2% and 29.7%, respectively). It is concluded that the liposome‐based extender is more effective than egg yolk‐ and soya lecithin‐based extenders and may be used for cryopreservation of buffalo semen in the future.     

The effect of molecular weight and the linear velocity of drum surface on the properties of electrospun poly(ethylene terephthalate) nonwovens

In this study, we evaluated the effect of the molecular weight of the polymer on electrospun poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nonwovens, and their mechanical properties as a function of the linear velocity of drum surface. Polymer solutions and electrospun PET nonwovens were characterized by means of viscometer, tensiometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), wide angle X-ray diffraction measurement (WAXD) and universal testing machine (UTM). By keeping the uniform solution viscosity, regardless of molecular weight differences, electrospun PET nonwovens with similar average diameter could be obtained. In addition, the mechanical properties of the electrospun PET nonwovens were strongly dependent on the linear velocity of drum surface. From the results of the WAXD scan, it was found that the polymer took on a particular molecular orientation when the linear velocity of drum surface was increased. The peaks became more definite and apparent, evolving from an amorphous pattern at 0 m/min to peaks and signifying the presence of crystallinity at 45 m/min.     

Preliminary trials of the BioBaler working in Brazilian eucalypt plantations

The increasing demand for renewable energy feedstock has raised interest in growing eucalypts for fuel wood production, which is achieved by establishing very dense plantations cut every 18–24 months. The high moisture content of fresh Eucalyptus may handicap cut-and-chip operations, and offers a unique opportunity for supply chains based on baling. Therefore, the Canadian-made BioBaler was tested in Brazil on a eucalypt energy plantation, as well as on the resprouts generated by a conventional pulpwood plantation after severe frost damage. The BioBaler coped well with both crops, achieving high productivity levels: 7.1 and 3.3 t h^?1 in the energy plantation and the failed crop treatments, respectively. Harvesting cost was estimated at €13 t^?1 and €26 t^?1 for the energy plantation and the failed crop, respectively. Productivity and harvesting cost were comparable with those reported in previous studies conducted in other countries on similar crops. Productivity was directly proportional to field stocking. Future studies should test the machine on a wider range of work conditions and include bale extraction, storage, processing and transportation, in order to estimate an overall supply chain cost and allow direct comparison with alternative options.     

Anesthesia of growing pigs with tiletamine-zolazepam and reversal with flumazenil

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of tiletamine/zolazepam and the effect of flumazenil on the recovery from tiletamine/zolazepam anesthesia in the pig. Six Landrace and Yorkshire cross-bred pigs (three females and three males, 3-4 months old) weighing 35.8 ± 1.7 kg were used in this study. Pigs were given tiletamine/zolazepam intramuscularly at a dose of 4.4 mg kg(-1) (2.2 mg kg(-1) tiletamine and 2.2 mg kg(-1) zolazepam) of body weight. Twenty minutes after the administration of tiletamine/zolazem, the pigs were given saline solution (control, Group TZ) or given flumazenil intravenously at a dose of 0.08 mg kg(-1) of body weight (Group TZF). Anesthesia and recovery times, scores of anesthetic effects and cardiorespiratory variables were recorded for each pig. There was a significant difference between the duration of tiletamine/zolazepam anesthesia with and without the antagonist. Flumazenil significantly shortened the recovery time. A significant difference in blood gas variables was observed between the two groups. The anesthetic effects induced by tiletamine/zolazepam could be reversed successfully and safely by flumazenil alone. Therefore, flumazenil administration could be considered in cases in which quick recovery is required in pigs.     

Biosynthesis of trans-2-hexenal in response to wounding in strawberry fruit

Wounded strawberry fruit produces a diverse group of volatile compounds including aldehydes, alcohols, and esters derived from the lipoxygenase (LOX) and hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) pathways. Because the wound volatiles may play an important role in plant-fungal interaction, the goal of this study was to develop a greater understanding about the biosynthesis of the major wound volatile, trans-2-hexenal (t-2-H), produced by strawberry fruit upon wounding. To that end, composition and quantity of total and free fatty acids of control and wounded strawberry fruit were analyzed. In addition, activities of the key enzymes, LOX and HPL, and production of C6 aldehydes were determined. Intact strawberry fruit did not produce detectable t-2-H which is derived from alpha-linolenic acid (18:3). However, in response to wounding by bruising, strawberry fruit emitted t-2-H and its precursor cis-3-hexenal (c-3-H). The level of total lipid 18:3 in the fruit increased 2-fold in response to wounding, whereas free 18:3 declined slightly ( approximately 30%). At 10 min following wounding, fruit exhibited a 25% increase in LOX activity, which leads to the production of 13-hydroperoxyoctadecatrienoic acid (13-HPOT) from 18:3. The activity of HPL, which catalyzes formation of cis-3-hexenal from 13-HPOT, increased 2-fold by 10 min after wounding. Thus, during a 15 min period after wounding, free 18:3 substrate availability and the activity of two key enzymes, LOX and HPL, changed in a manner consistent with increased c-3-H and t-2-H biosynthesis.     

Effects of propylene glycol on carcass traits and its related gene expression in Korean native steers

The effects of propylene glycol (PEG) on performance, ruminal fermentation, blood glucose and insulin, carcass traits, and abundance of IGF-1 mRNA in LM and leptin mRNA in adipose tissue were examined in 20 Korean native steers, with 10 each in control and PEG-fed groups, respectively. Propylene glycol mixed with concentrate diet was provided daily at a rate of 2.5 mL/kg BW(0.75). Experimental animals were fed a concentrate diet to 1.8% of BW twice daily plus rice straw ad libitum during the 4-mo period before marketing. Daily DMI and ADG did not differ between control and PEG-fed steers. Steers receiving PEG displayed an increase (P = 0.044) in propionate concentration, whereas acetate concentration decreased (P = 0.032). Although blood glucose was not affected, serum insulin was increased (P = 0.047) by PEG feeding. Propylene glycol did not affect carcass weight, 13th-rib fat depth, marbling score, or lipid content of LM. The backfat of PEG-fed steers did not differ in leptin mRNA from control steers, whereas increased leptin mRNA was found in i.m. fat with PEG feeding. There was no treatment effect on the level of IGF-1 mRNA in the LM of the tested steers. These results indicate that the amount of PEG fed to steers was not sufficient to improve marbling score through enhanced ruminal propionate and insulin. The role of increased i.m. leptin mRNA level in PEG-fed steers remains to be further elucidated.