• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.91-98
• /
• 2021

The objective of this study was to establish a selection process for high quality sperm in bovine semen using sperm separation by magnetic activation (MACS). For this, semen from 21 Nellore bulls was collected using an artificial vagina. To guarantee the presence of pathologies in the ejaculate, animals previously declassified in four consecutive spermiogram were used. Semen was analyzed in five statuses: (1) fresh semen (fresh); (2) density gradient centrifugation (DGC), percoll column; (3) non-apoptotic fraction after separation by MACS (MAC); (4) apoptotic fraction from the separation (MACPOOR); and (5) MAC followed by DGC (MACDGC). Using a computerized analysis system (CASA), motility was measured. The sperm morphology was evaluated by phase contrast, and the supravital test was completed with eosin/nigrosin staining. For DGC, 20 × 10⁶ cells were used in a gradient of 90% and 45% percoll. MACS used 10 × 10⁶ cells with 20 μL of nanoparticles attached to annexin V, and filtered through the MiniMACS magnetic separation column. Membrane integrity was assessed with SYBR-14/IP and mitochondrial potential with JC-1 by flow cytometry. Processing sperm by MACDGC, was more effective in obtaining samples with high quality sperm, verified by the total of abnormalities in the samples: 35.04 ± 2.29%, 21.50 ± 1.47%, 17.30 ± 1.10%, 30.68 ± 1.94% and 10.50 ± 1.46%, respectively for fresh, DGC, MAC, MACPOOR, and MACDGC. The subpopulation of non-apoptotic sperm had a high number of live cells (82.65%), membrane integrity (56.60%) and mitochondrial potential (83.98%) (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that this nanotechnological method, that uses nanoparticles, is efficient in the production of high-quality semen samples for assisted reproduction procedures in cattle.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.493-519
• /
• 2018

This article presents a finite element (FE) model to assess the free vibration and static response of a functionally graded skew magneto-electro-elastic (FGSMEE) plate. Through the thickness material grading of FGSMEE plate is achieved using power law distribution. The coupled constitutive equations along with the total potential energy approach are used to develop the FE model of FGSMEE plate. The transformation matrix is utilized in bringing out the element matrix corresponding to the global axis to a local axis along the skew edges to specify proper boundary conditions. The effect of skew angle on the natural frequency of an FGSMEE plate is analysed. Further, the study includes the evaluation of the static behavior of FGSMEE plate for various skew angles. The influence of skew angle on the primary quantities such as displacements, electric potential, and magnetic potential, and secondary quantities such as stresses, electric displacement and magnetic induction is studied in detail. In addition, the effect of power-law gradient, thickness ratio, boundary conditions and aspect ratio on the free vibration and static response characteristics of FGSMEE plate has been investigated.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.28 no.9
• /
• pp.1320-1327
• /
• 2004

An efficient boundary-based technique is developed for addressing shape design sensitivity analysis in supercavitating flow problem. An analytical sensitivity formula in the form of a boundary integral is derived based on the continuum formulation for a general functional defined in potential flow problems. The formula, which is expressed in terms of the boundary solutions and shape variation vectors, can be conveniently used for gradient computation in a variety of shape design in potential flow problems. While the sensitivity can be calculated independent of the analysis means, such as the finite element method (FEM) or the boundary element method (BEM), the FEM is used for the analysis in this study because of its popularity and easy-to-use features. The advantage of using a boundary-based method is that the shape variation vectors are needed only on the boundary, not over the whole domain. The boundary shape variation vectors are conveniently computed by using finite perturbations of the shape geometry instead of complex analytical differentiation of the geometry functions. The supercavitating flow problem is chosen to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed methodology. Implementation issues for the sensitivity analysis and optimization procedure are also addressed in this flow problem.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.633-638
• /
• 2014

We report experimental behaviors of condensed $^{87}Rb$ atoms responding to changes in the trap potential of the atomchip. The two-types of adiabatic and non-adiabatic overall changes were implemented by changing the ramp-down speed of the chip-wire current, which can dominantly modify the one-axis magnetic field gradient. Under the adiabatic process, a pure condensate stayed in the initial spin state and collectively oscillated with both monopole and dipole modes, while an atomic cloud above the critical temperature exhibited sound waves in a dense ultracold gas. On the other hand, Bose-Einstein condensate atoms with non-adiabatic perturbation were split into spatially different positions by spin states through spin-flip. We investigated the split ratio among spin states depending on final evaporation frequency. Potential changes, of course, cause collective oscillations regardless of the changing process.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
• /
• 2004.04a
• /
• pp.1047-1052
• /
• 2004

An efficient boundary-based technique is developed for addressing shape design sensitivity analysis in supercavitating flow problem. An analytical sensitivity formula in the form of a boundary integral is derived based on the continuum formulation for a general functional defined in potential flow problems. The formula, which is expressed in terms of the boundary solutions and shape variation vectors, can be conveniently used for gradient computation in a variety of shape design in potential flow problems. While the sensitivity can be calculated independent of the analysis means, such as the finite element method (FEM) or the boundary element method (BEM), the FEM is used for the analysis in this study because of its popularity and easy-touse features. The advantage of using a boundary-based method is that the shape variation vectors are needed only on the boundary, not over the whole domain. The boundary shape variation vectors are conveniently computed by using finite perturbations of the shape geometry instead of complex analytical differentiation of the geometry functions. The supercavitating flow problem is chosen to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed methodology. Implementation issues for and optimization procedure are addressed in this flow problem.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.41-46
• /
• 2015

The drag of the excess charge in an electrical double layer at the solid fluid interface due to water flow induces the streaming current, i.e., the streaming potential (SP). Here we introduce a sandbox experiment to study this hydroelectric coupling in case of a tracer test. An acrylic tank was filled up with homogeneous sand as a sand aquifer, and the upstream and downstream reservoirs were connected to the sand aquifer to control the hydraulic gradient. Under a steady-state water flow condition, a tracer test was performed in the sandbox with the help of peristaltic pump, and tracer samples were collected from the same interval of five screened wells in the sandbox. During the tracer test, SP signals resulting from the distribution of 20 nonpolarizable electrodes were measured at the top of the tank by a multichannel meter. The results showed that there were changes in the observed SP after injection of tracer, which indicated that the SP was likely to be related to the solute transport.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.317-322
• /
• 2014

Bursting during tube hydroforming is preceded by localized necking. The retardation of the initiation of necking is a means to enhance hydroformability. Since high strain gradients occur at the necking sites, a decrease in local strain gradients is an effective way to retard the initiation of necking. In the current study, the expansion at potential necking sites was intentionally restricted in order to reduce the strain gradient at potential necking sites. From the strain distribution obtained from FEM, it is possible to determine strain concentrated zones, which are the potential necking sites. Prior to the hydroforming of a trailing arm, an incompressible material(such as lead) is attached to the tube where the strain-concentrated zone would contact the die. Due to the incompressibility of lead, the tube expansion is locally restricted, and the resultant strain extends to adjacent regions of the tube during hydroforming. After the first stage of hydroforming, the lead is removed from the tube, and the hydroforming continues to the final targeted shape without any local restriction. This method was successfully used to fabricate a complex shaped automotive trailing arm that had previously failed during traditional hydroforming fabrication.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
• /
• 2021.06a
• /
• pp.151-151
• /
• 2021

The alarming climate change impacts are demanding the use of renewable energy sources like never before. Hydropower is one of the most cost-effective and environmental friendly energy technology recognized in the world. Big hydropower projects come up with the requirements of huge investment costs along with environmental impacts, whereas small hydropower(SHP) are considered a best solution for the economical source of energy. SHP, basically Run-of-River (RoR) type plants can be sustainable renewable energy sources and given the nature of perennial rivers flowing from steep gradient and rugged topography, feasibility of such plants is equally high in Nepal. The objective of this study is to determine the primary potential sites for the development of RoR type SHP sites using Geo-spatial Information System(GSIS). The use of GSIS enables precise survey of large area within a short period of time. This study has focused on the determination of locations by establishing defined criterions and methodologies and hence have located multiple locations rather than selecting one best location. The approach is applicable for the rapid initial screening of potential locations and results can facilitate detail feasibility study for the technical and economic analysis of SHP in the basin.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.167-176
• /
• 2009

Land cover changes associated with urbanization have driven climate change and pollution, which alter properties of ecosystems at local, regional, and continental scales. Thus, the relationships among urban ecological variables such as community composition, structure, health, soil and functioning need to be better understood to restore and improve urban ecosystems. In this study, we discuss urban ecosystem management and research from a futuristic perspective based on analyses of vegetation structure, composition, and successional trends, as well as the chemical properties of soils and the distribution of heat along an urban-rural gradient. Urban thermo-profile analysis using satellite images showed an obvious mitigating effect of vegetation on the Seoul heat island. Community attributes of Quercus mongolica stands reflected the effects of urbanization, such as pronounced increases in disturbance-related and pollution-tolerant species, such as Styrax japonica and Sorbus alnifolia. Retrogressive successional trends were detected in urban sites relative to those in rural sites. Changes in the urban climate and biotic environment have the potential to significantly influence the practice and outcomes of ecological management, restoration and forecasting because of the associated changes in future bio-physical settings. Thus, for management (i.e., creation and restoration) of urban green spaces, forward-thinking perspectives supported by historical information are necessary.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.9-17
• /
• 2014

This paper reported the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and the culture-based method in the intrinsic bioremediation study at a petroleum contaminated site. The study showed that phenol hydroxylase gene was detected in groundwater contaminated with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene isomers (BTEX) and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). This indicated that intrinsic bioremediation occurred at the site. DGGE analyses revealed that the petroleum-hydrocarbon plume caused the variation in microbial communities. MTBE degraders including Pseudomonas sp. NKNU01, Bacillus sp. NKNU01, Klebsiella sp. NKNU01, Enterobacter sp. NKNU01, and Enterobacter sp. NKNU02 were isolated from the contaminated groundwater using the cultured-based method. Among these five strains, Enterobacter sp. NKNU02 is the most effective stain at degrading MTBE without the addition of pentane. The MTBE biodegradation experiment indicated that the isolated bacteria were affected by propane. Biodegradation of MTBE was decreased but not totally inhibited in the mixtures of BTEX. Enterobacter sp. NKNU02 degraded about 60% of MTBE in the bioreactor study. Tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), acetic acid, 2-propanol, and propenoic acid were detected using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry during MTBE degraded by the rest cells of Enterobacter sp. NKNU02. The effectiveness of bioremediation of MTBE was assessed for potential field-scale application.