Cryopreservation of oocytes by vitrification technique may contribute a lot in the field of reproductive biotechnology. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effectiveness of two cryo-devices for vitrification of immature oocytes of indigenous zebu cows. Slaughter house derived immature cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) of cows were vitrified using 15% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotective agent (CPA) with 0.5 mol sucrose in TCM 199 supplemented with 20% FBS. Vitrification of COCs was completed after immediate plunging of COCs loaded cryotop or French mini straw into the liquid nitrogen (LN2). Then the COCs containing cryotop or French mini straws were warmed in 0.25 mol sucrose and 20% FBS supplemented TCM 199 followed by in vitro culture in 50 μl droplets of bicarbonate buffered TCM 199 supplemented with 10% FBS, pyruvate, FSH and oestradiol for 24 hrs at 39°C with 5% CO2 in humidified air. After maturation culture, oocytes were denuded and examined under inverted microscope for presence of polar body as the indication of maturation. Denuded oocytes were also stained by whole mount technique using 1% orcein to examine the maturation by presence of MII chromosomes. The in vitro maturation rate was significantly (p<0.05) higher in oocytes vitrified and warmed using crytop (47.1±6.9%) than that of French mini straw (15.9±12.5%). Moreover, in vitro maturation rate was significantly (p<0.05) highe r in control oocytes (not vitrified) (84.5±14.2%) than that of vitrified oocytes. In conclusion, cryotop is better than French mini straw as cryo-device for vitrification of bovine immature oocytes

The genus Cephimallota Bruand, 1851 is reported for the first time in Korea, with one species Cephimallota chasanica Zagulajev, 1965. Adult and genitalia of male are described, with illustrations.

In this study, Monopis zagulajevi Gaedike, 2000 is reported for the first time from Korea. Illustrations of adults and genitalia are presented, with species descriptions. Also, Korean checklist of genus Monopis is provided.

One species of the genus Calamotropha Zeller (Lepidoptera, Crambinae), Calamotropha yamanakai Inoue, 1958 is reported for the first time from Korea. The description, image of the adult, male, and female genitalia are provided in this paper. Also, checklist of the genus Calamotropha from Korea is provided.

The genus Culladia Moore [1886] (Lepidoptera, Crambinae) are found for the first time in the Korea with a species C. dentilinealis Hampson, 1919. The description, image of the adult, male, and female genitalia are provided in this paper.

Two species of the genus Argyresthia Hübner are reported for the first time from Korea: A. albicomella Moriuti, A. alpha Friese & Moriuti. Up to now, unknown information of male genitalia of A. albicomella is firstly described herein. Illustration of adults and genitalia are provided.

This study investigated to find optimal blanching conditions for pre-treatment of Korean Cahmchi (Aster scaber) before freezing to maintain qualities as food ingredient. Blanched A. scaber were blanched in water, 1% sucrose solution and 1% salt solution for 2min. After blanching, each sample packed with water, 0.5% and 1% sucrose solution, which were half quantity of sample. The samples were then frozen at -30°C freezer for 24h. Frozen samples were thawed in water at 4°C. Color, thawing loss, water content and texture analysis were evaluated. Water content was not significantly different among samples. Thawing loss of A. scaber was low value in sugar and salt additive samples. Sugar additive sample indicated the lowest redness and yellowness value. Also sugar added samples showed tender texture. In conclusion, sugar contents in blanching water were affected to qualities of A. scaber.

In this study, Bi-Sb-Te thermoelectric materials are produced by mechanical alloying (MA) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). To examine the influence of the milling atmosphere on the microstructure and thermo-electric (TE) properties, a p-type Bi-Sb-Te composite powder is mechanically alloyed in the presence of argon and air atmospheres. The oxygen content increases to 55% when the powder is milled in the air atmosphere, compared with argon. All grains are similar in size and uniformly, distributed in both atmospheric sintered samples. The Seebeck coefficient is higher, while the electrical conductivity is lower in the MA (Air) sample due to a low carrier concentration compared to the MA (Ar) sintered sample. The maximum figure of merit (ZT) is 0.91 and 0.82 at 350 K for the MA (Ar) and MA (Air) sintered samples, respectively. The slight enhancement in the ZT value is due to the decrease in the oxygen content during the MA (Ar) process. Moreover, the combination of mechanical alloying and SPS process shows a higher hardness and density values for the sintered samples.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the dielectric properties of impregnated and activated palm kernel shells (PKSs) samples using two activating agents, potassium carbonate (K2CO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), at three impregnation ratios. The materials were characterized by moisture content, carbon content, ash content, thermal profile and functional groups. The dielectric properties were examined using an open-ended coaxial probe method at various microwave frequencies (1–6 GHz) and temperatures (25, 35, and 45°C). The results show that the dielectric properties varied with frequency, temperature, moisture content, carbon content and mass ratio of the ionic solids. PKSK1.75 (PKS impregnated with K2CO3 at a mass ratio of 1.75) and PKSN1.5 (PKS impregnated with NaOH at a mass ratio of 1.5) exhibited a high loss tangent (tan δ) indicating the effectiveness of these materials to be heated by microwaves. K2CO3 and NaOH can act as a microwave absorber to enhance the efficiency of microwave heating for low loss PKSs. Materials with a high moisture content exhibit a high loss tangent but low penetration depth. The interplay of multiple operating frequencies is suggested to promote better microwave heating by considering the changes in the materials characteristics.

The Azuki bean weevil, Callosobruchus chinensis L., is a common insect pest of stored products in the world. Radio-frequencydependent oviposition, development and adult performances of C. chinensis were examined at five radio-frequencies of0 (control), 5, 10, 20, and 30 kHz on azuki bean, cowpea, and mung bean seeds. The effects were studied on two successivegenerations of C. chinensis. The results showed that radio-frequency application have significant effects on the life variablesof C. chinensis. Radio-frequency exposures on three seed species not only impacted on developmental time, adult longevityand adult weight but negative effects were also transmitted to the successive generations. Longer developmental time andthe least adults of C. chinensis were emerged with shorter longevity in case of radio-frequency treatment than untreated.Decreasing the radio-frequency level further reduced the adult longevity and increased time for development of adults.The least adult emergence and short longevity was recorded for 5 kHz treatment. Radio-frequency treatments have alsoaffected on the adult performance such as weight of adult. The life variables of C. chinensis are discussed in terms oftargeting susceptibilities to radio-frequencies in storage as an alternative to chemical treatments.

Pyraustinae and Spliomelinae are one of the largest subfamily in the family Crambidae, They are reported more than5,000 species in the world. The majority of them is distributed in tropical regions, also some species discovered intosubtropical and warm temperate areas. Laos has a tropical climate because it is located in Southeast Asia. but Laos properlyhas not studied moths diversity by the present.In the present study, we provided a checklist of the subfamily Pyraustinae and Spilomelinae from Laos, including adultphotographs, distributions.

초국가적 조직범죄와 마약밀매는 라틴 아메리카에서 가장 주요한 폭력의 원인 이다. 중앙아메리카의 역할은 남아메리카와 멕시코의 역할과 다른데, 중앙아메리 카는 미국으로의 마약 운송을 위한 가교 역할을 한다. 중앙아메리카를 통한 많 은 양의 마약 운송에도 불구하고, 니카라과는 다른 나라들에 비해 상대적으로 낮은 폭력과 낮은 조직범죄집단의 활동이 있는 나라다. 이 연구는 한국의 국가 안보 정책과 마약 거래에 관한 세계적 관심에 대해서 새로운 의견과 전망을 제 시하는 것을 그 목적으로 하였다. 이 연구에서는 중앙아메리카의 다른 국가들과 니카라과 역할 사이의 차이점을 조사하여 조직범죄를 관리하는 특별한 방법을 조사했다. 또한 마약 밀매에 대한 니카라과의 대응이 국제관계, 거버넌스 및 환 경 보호에 미치는 영향이 포함되어 탐색되었다. 마지막으로 연구자들은 정책적 함의와 연구의 한계점에 대해서 논의하였으며, 그리고 이 주제와 관련해서 보다 신뢰할 수 있는 데이터를 수집하기 위한 향후 연구에 대해서 제언하였다.

This study evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of different concentrations of ozonated water with organic matter, fetal bovine serum, at different concentrations and incubation times with bacteria. In the absence of organic matter, total eradication of up to 5 log of Escherichia (E.) coli was achieved, however, interference by organic matter led to inefficiency of ozonated water as a disinfecting agent. In addition, diminishing antimicrobial effects at higher temperatures, even in the absence of organic matter, were also demonstrated. These findings indicate that ozonated water will be a safe and effective disinfectant agent that could be useful in meat processing, especially an intestine processing, in Korean slaughter houses.

Effective estrus detection and artificial insemination (AI) are necessary for profitable management of dairy herd. In current study, 45 crossbred lactating cows have been selected with the complaint of unobserved oestrus for more than sixty days postpartum. All cows had functional corpus luteum as examined by transrectal ultrasonography. Cows were treated with PGF2α analogue and AI was performed with observed oestrus and then single dose of GnRH was administered. Similar synchronization protocol has been repeated after 14 days in cows that did not repose to first treatment. Remaining cows received additional PGF2α after 14 days of second treatment and timed AI was performed following GnRH administration. Among 45 cows, 28.89% showed estrus after first treatment and 78.79% responded to second hormonal intervention. A higher conception rate (88.89% vs 26.66 and 72.72%) was observed in cows after triple administration of PGF2α and timed AI. We noticed a significant differences in body condition score (BCS, 1～5 scale), postpartum period, and daily milk production between cows that either responded of non-responded following first and second hormonal treatment. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between daily milk production and BCS, age and postpartum days, milk production and estrus/BCS, and milk production/BCS/estrus and conception rate. Depending upon the findings we conclude that hormonal intervention with PGF2α and GnRH enhances postpartum ovarian cyclicity and help decreasing the days open of dairy herd. Therefore, this finding might provide an excellent guideline for target breeding system for profitable dairy herd management.