• Macromolecular Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2002

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) prepolymers were prepared by the condensation polymerization of 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) and succinic atid (SCA) in the presence of titanium (VI) isoproxide(TPI) catalyst. The PBS prepolymers reacted with 1,4-BD or SCA to obtain hydroxyl or carboxylic acid group terminated PBS. High molecular weight linear or branched PBS was synthesized by a coupling reaction between hydroxyl and carboxylic acid group terminated PBS, or by a branching reaction between carboxylic acid group terminated PBS and glycerol as a branching agent. The weight average molecular weight of the prepared linear or branched PBS was in the range of 100,000-220,000. Both melting point and thermal stability of the high molecular weight linear and branched PBSs were somewhat higher than those of general PBS. From a tensile behavior by Instron test, modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break improved with increase in the molecular weight of the prepared PBS through the coupling or the branching reaction. In particular, the high molecular weight linear PBS had about 2.5 times higher value in modulus than the branched one.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.63-72
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• 2006

Parthenogenesis, the development of unfertilized ovum opens new perspectives in silkworm breeding in the development of homozygous breeds. In order to improve induction of artificial parthenogenesis in the excised unfertilized eggs of different breeds of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L., a new method was devised and the results were compared with the routine method. General and specific combining abilities and hybrid vigour of newly developed bivoltine breeds were analyzed utilizing bivoltine breeds viz., $CSR_2,\;CSR_4,\;CSR_{17}\;and\;NB_4D_2$ Estimation of GCA revealed superiority of the breeds, $DNB_1$ for eight characters followed by $DNB_4$ for five characters. Among the testers, $CSR_2$ was found good general combiner for seven characters followed by $CSR_{17}$ for four characters. A great deal of variations was observed among the hybrids studied. Five hybrids namely, $DNB_1{\times}CSR_2,\;DNB_4{\times}CSR_4,\;DNB_4{\times}NB_4D_2,\;DNB_6{\times}CSR_2\;and\;DNB_7{\times}CSR_2$ showed significant SCA effects for 5-6 characters. The hybrid, $DNB_4{\times}CSR_4$ showed its superiority by expressing significant hybrid vigour over BPV for 7 characters. Majority of the hybrids exhibited significant hybrid vigour for survival rate, yield/10,000 larvae by weight, cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, filament length and denier.