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The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during cryopreservation of semen alters the sperm motion and mobility characteristics, resulting in poor or failure of conception rate after artificial insemination (AI). Melatonin an antioxidant is able to modulate the effect of ROS and prevents spermatozoa by reducing the oxidative stress during freezing process. Eight ejaculates from eight healthy HF bulls diluted with Tris egg yolk glycerol extender were divided into five equal aliquots. The Computer Assisted Semen Analyser (CASA) results showed no significant difference between the control—post‐ thaw samples and melatonin‐treated samples; however, the velocity of spermatozoa with regard to the VAP, VSL showed highest increase in the 0.25 mM MLT‐treated semen followed by 0.1 mM MLT treated semen except for VCL where velocity increased with increase in the concentration of melatonin. The vigour of spermatozoa regard to BCF, STR and LIN recorded highest increase in the 0.25 mM MLT treated semen followed by 0.1 mM MLT‐treated semen except for the ALH where vigour increased with increase in the concentration of melatonin. The electron micrography images illustrated that the addition of 0.1 mM melatonin protected the plasma membrane and acrosome region and maintained the ultrastructure integrity of the cryopreserved spermatozoa when compared to control group, whereas the electron micrography of spermatozoa treated with 0.2 and 0.25 mM melatonin illustrated highest damage to the plasma and acrosome membrane. Thus concluding that inclusion of melatonin to sperm extender can improve the post‐thaw quality of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa., The production of ROS during cryopreservation of semen alters the sperm motion and mobility characteristics, resulting in poor or failure of conception rate after AI. Melatonin an antioxidant is able to modulate the effect of ROS and prevents spermatozoa by reducing the oxidative stress during freezing process. The electron micrography images illustrated that the addition of 0.1 mM melatonin protected the plasma membrane and acrosome region and maintained the ultrastructure integrity of the cryopreserved spermatozoa indicating inclusion of melatonin to sperm extender can improve the post‐thaw quality of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa

The most often detected tumor in intact bitches is mammary tumors and represents a significant clinical problem throughout the world. Mammary neoplasms in canine have heterogeneous morphology, so the choice of the most appropriate biomarker is the biggest challenge in CMT detection. We performed a retrospective analysis and evaluated the canine cancer antigens and miRNA expression profiles as potential biomarkers. Sixty dogs based on histological examination divided into three groups, viz., dogs with a benign mammary tumor, malignant mammary tumor, and control/healthy. The CA 15-3 was found more sensitive than CEA but detection of both will increase sensitivity. miR-21 expression differed significantly in all three groups. miR-29b expression differed significantly between the control and benign group and control and malignant group. The miR-21 overexpression and miR-29b downregulation with CMT are associated with clinical stage and can be used as non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Hence, evaluation of CA 15-3 along with CEA would be a non-invasive technique for detecting canine mammary tumors. Evaluation of deregulated circulating miR-21 could be a valuable prognostic marker for early detection of mammary tumors in canines while miR-29b can add sensitivity in the detection of the canine mammary tumors if evaluated with miR-21.

The most often detected tumor in intact bitches is mammary tumors and represents a significant clinical problem throughout the world. Mammary neoplasms in canine have heterogeneous morphology, so the choice of the most appropriate biomarker is the biggest challenge in CMT detection. We performed a retrospective analysis and evaluated the canine cancer antigens and miRNA expression profiles as potential biomarkers. Sixty dogs based on histological examination divided into three groups, viz., dogs with a benign mammary tumor, malignant mammary tumor, and control/healthy. The CA 15-3 was found more sensitive than CEA but detection of both will increase sensitivity. miR-21 expression differed significantly in all three groups. miR-29b expression differed significantly between the control and benign group and control and malignant group. The miR-21 overexpression and miR-29b downregulation with CMT are associated with clinical stage and can be used as non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Hence, evaluation of CA 15-3 along with CEA would be a non-invasive technique for detecting canine mammary tumors. Evaluation of deregulated circulating miR-21 could be a valuable prognostic marker for early detection of mammary tumors in canines while miR-29b can add sensitivity in the detection of the canine mammary tumors if evaluated with miR-21.

A new monomer of the AB type, 5-carboxy-1,3-phenylene-5′-hydroxy-1′,3′-phenylene-32-crown-10 (5), was synthesized. Direct polymerizations of bis(5-hydroxy-1,3-phenylene)-32-crown-10 (13), an AA diphenolic macrocyclic monomer, with BB diacid monomer bis(5-carboxy-1,3-phenylene)-26-crown-8 (14) and its larger analog bis(5-carboxy-1,3-phenylene)-32-crown-10 (16) were accomplished via the Higashi method. The resultant polyesters 15 and 17, which both contain two macrocycles per repeat unit, were soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform and tetrahydrofuran, amorphous in nature and possessed high thermal stability (5% weight loss > 370 °C in air). Main chain poly(ester crown ether)s 18 and 19 based on bis(5-carboxy-1,3-phenylene)-32-crown-10 (16), and hydroquinone (HQ) and biphenol (BP), respectively, were synthesized; these two polyesters also possess high thermal stability (5% weight loss > 386 °C in air) and are amorphous. These polymacrocycles are suitable polytopic hosts for complexation with 4,4′-bipyridinium derivatives, as demonstrated by the binding of paraquat diol (21a) by polyester 20 with Ka = 2.0 (±0.7) x 102 M−1 (23 °C, 4:6 w:w CD3CN:CDCl3). Threading of the cyclic units in these polyesters by linear polymers such as polystyrene and PMMA leads to compatiblized blends via polypseudorotaxane formation; this methodology represents a new approach to compatibilization.

The present study was conducted on eight crossbred bulls (HFxGir, 50-75% HF inheritance) under Konkan Development Corporation Ltd. of Maharashtra. Semen ejaculates obtained at monthly interval were used for this study. Semen samples were subjected to routine macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. The study was planned for three seasons, viz., summer, winter and monsoon. The ejaculates were divided into two parts: one part was used for analysis as fresh semen and second part was diluted using egg yolk extender and then cryopreserved. It was observed that the sperm motility and live sperm percentage were significantly low during summer season as compared to winter and monsoon season in fresh semen samples. The semen volume was significantly higher during summer season whereas the sperm concentration was higher in winter season. The colour, consistency and density were not affected by season. Thus, it was concluded that summer season adversely affects the seminal attributes which may result in low quality semen production.

Eight apparently healthy Sirohi goats, aged 2.5–3 years were synchronized and naturally served. Blood samples from each goat were collected every 4 days from day −4 (4 days before estrus) up to day 28 (day 28 after estrus) to determine progesterone and PAGs concentrations. Pregnancy diagnosis was done after one month using ultra-sonic scanning. The average serum progesterone concentration on day 4 before estrus and on the day of estrus was the lowest concentration recorded during the experiment. It increased non significantly on day 4 after estrus. Further it increased significantly (P

Pheromones are found throughout the living world and are a primal form of communication. These chemical messengers are transported outside the body and have a direct developmental effect on hormone levels and/or behaviour. The pheromones play an important role in animal behavior and reproductive processes. This review article aims to highlight the role of pheromones of farm animals. The pheromone signals are known to have a potential role in animal reproduction and management. The sources of chemosignals are urine, feces, vaginal secretions, saliva, and specialized scent glands including the odor produced from hair and wool. Pheromones can act as a marker to detect estrus where its detection is a problem and for diagnosing early pregnancy in farm animals. The potential implication of pheromones on improving sexual desire in male is also important. There is huge scope of application of pheromones once it is characterized and synthesized chemically.

The seabed resident event driven profiling system (SREP) described here offers a novel, optimized approach to profiling in coastal waters from seabed to sea surface during the rough seas encountered in the southwest monsoon season (June–Sept). It consists of a winch system and a tethered instrumented profiler. The winch system launches and retrieves the profiler. The tethered profiler is programmed to move up and down the water column to sample and transmit water column properties when it reaches the sea surface. It uses standard oceanographic sensors to measure vertical structure at ∼0.25m resolution. The major challenges addressed in this paper are long endurance of three months, underwater acoustic communications between the sea bed and the profiler unit and data transmission by the profiler to the shore.

A homoditopic monomer containing two bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 units and a complementary homoditopic monomer containing two paraquat moieties were designed and prepared. At high equimolar concentrations (>40 mM) they self-organize to form a linear supramolecular polymer in solution as confirmed by proton NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and viscosity studies.

The first paraquat-based [3](taco complex) was successfully prepared from a linear bis(crown ether) host and paraquat as shown by proton NMR characterization and X-ray analysis. It has a dumbbell shape in the solid state. The two crown ether binding sites are independent of each other during their complexation in solution.

Simultaneous calibrations of three temperature-compensated piezoresistive ruggedized precision “absolute” pressure transducers (Honeywell model PPTR0040AP5VB-BD), which have been designed specially for long-term coastal oceanographic and limnological measurements, have been carried out at four differing temperatures (10°, 20°, 30°, and 40°C) to evaluate their suitability for such applications. The full-scale pressure range of these shallow water absolute pressure sensors is ≈ 2800 hPa (equivalent to water depth of ≈ 18 m). Measurement results have been used to examine the transducers’ performance indicators, such as zero-point offset, accuracy, linearity, hysteresis, temperature sensitivity, and slope. Differing piezoresistive ruggedized precision absolute pressure transducers (PPTRs) exhibited differing zero-point offset values, ranging from 2 to −79 hPa. Temperature sensitivity of zero-point offset was ≈0.3 hPa over the temperature range 10°–40°C. The mean hysteresis over the full-scale absolute pressure range (≈2800 hPa) varied from approximately 2 to 8 hPa over the temperature range 10°–40°C. The slope of the least squares–fitted linear graph (taking the mean of ascending and descending pressures) was close to the ideal value of unity (deviation from 1 over the temperature range 10°–40°C was in the range of −0.001 to +0.005). Linearity was excellent, its mean over the entire pressure range being between ≈ −0.006% and 0.008% of full-scale (FS) over the above temperature range. The worst performance was exhibited at input pressures below ≈1500 hPa. Zero-point offset has played a significant role in deteriorating the accuracy of the PPTR, the mean accuracy (within ≈0.1% and −5%) having been exhibited by those transducers having offsets of 2 and −79 hPa, respectively. The mean accuracy exhibited temperature sensitivity of ≈1% in the range 10°–20°C and negligible sensitivity beyond 20°C. Use of a calibration equation significantly improved the mean static accuracy obtainable from the PPTR, to between −0.04% and 0.01% of FS. Evaluation results have indicated that a suitably calibrated temperature-compensated Honeywell PPTR provides an alternate cost-effective means for pressure measurements for coastal oceanographic and limnological studies.

This article examines the seasonal variability of nontidal contributions of the sea level oscillations off Tikkavanipalem coast in Andhra Pradesh (India), which is located on the western boundary of the Bay of Bengal. The analysis is based on simultaneous observations of tidal and surface meteorological parameters in four temporal segments of 1-month duration each during a 1-year period in 1997–98. Sea level oscillations along the Tikkavanipalem segment of the central east coast of India contain contributions from tidal and set-up/set-down motions. Local wind pattern, coastal current, and air pressure variations particularly influence the residual sea level elevation (difference of the measured and astronomically induced daily mean sea level) in this region. Observed response of the sea level elevation to the barometric pressure represents an amplified/delayed inverted barometer effect. The relative importance of tidal and nontidal contributions to the sea level is found to be seasonal, as the co...

We previously reported that the polyamide 3a derived from bis(5-carboxy-1,3-phenylene)-32-crown-10 (BCP32C10, 1a) and 4,4‘-oxydianiline (ODA, 2) was completely insoluble and attributed this to the ...

[formula: see text] Inspired by folded, nonpseudorotaxane complexes of bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 systems, we synthesized a new bicyclic crown ether containing two 1,3,5-phenylene units linked by three tetra(ethyleneoxy) units. The new cryptand forms a "pseudorotaxane-like" inclusion complex with N,N'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium bis(hexafluorophosphate) with association constant Ka = 6.1 x 10(4) M-1, 100-fold greater than that of an analogous simple crown ether.

Three new substituted tetraphenylene crown ethers have been made. Bis(5-carbomethoxy-1,3-phenylene)-bis(p-phenylene)-(3x + 6)-crown-x, where x = 12, 16, and 20 (11b-11d) were synthesized via [1 + 1] cyclization of methyl 3,5-bis[omega-chloro(oligoethyleneoxy)]benzoates (13b-3d) with methyl 3,5-bis[omega-(p-hydroxyphenoxy)(oligoethyleneoxy)]benzoates (16b-6d) using K2CO3 as base and tetrabutylammonium iodide as a phase transfer agent in dimethylformamide (DMF). The corresponding 30-membered (x = 8) macrocycle 11a could not be made by this approach; only the elimination product, 3,5-bis(vinyloxy)benzoic acid (19), was isolated. 16a-16d were made via alkylation of p-benzyloxyphenol (14) with 13a-13d, respectively, followed by hydrogenolysis with Pd/C as catalyst. No complexation of these macrocycles with dibenzylammonium ions was detected by NMR spectroscopy, but weak complexation of 11d with a paraquat derivative was observed.Key words: crown ethers, cyclization, macrocycles.

Like the proverbial monkey chain one heteroditopic self-complementary molecule, comprising a crown ether unit and a paraquat unit, catches a second such molecule in solution and thus by self-organization forms novel linear oligo- and polymolecular arrays (shown schematically; the crown ether unit is denoted by the ellipse, and the paraquat unit by the rectangle).

Recent results from our laboratory have shown that the formation of polyester and polyurethane rotaxanes by polymerization in the presence of crown ethers is driven by hydrogen bonding of the OH groups with the oxygen atoms of the macrocycles. Here we summarize these findings. Then we describe the application of this type of self assembly for the production of polyrotaxanes by threading preformed macromolecules and for the controlled synthesis of branched and crosslinked systems. These latter protocols comprise a new and novel way to prepare mechanically linked, elastomeric materials. Rheological properties of main chain polyrotaxanes are compared to simple linear backbones; the rotaxanes display higher intrinsic viscosities and lower melt viscosities, reflecting larger hydrodynamic volumes and less entanglement, respectively; these are potentially useful aspects in terms of processability of this new class of polymeric materials.

Poly(ester crown ether)s were synthesized by direct condensation of bis(5-carboxy-m-phenylene)-(3x + 2)-crown-x, x = 6,8 and 10 ( 1a, 1b and 1c ) with bisphenols via the Higashi method. The formation of higher molecular weight poly(ester crown ether) 5 from the 32-membered crown ether 1c and bisphenol-A ( 2a ) as compared to polyester 3 from 20-membered crown ether 1a and bisphenol-A, polyester 4 made from the 26-membered crown ether 1b and bisphenol-A ( 2a ) and polyester 6 derived from 32-membered 1c and bis(p-t-butylphenyl)-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)methane ( 2b ) under identical conditions is believed to be the result of threading (rotaxane formation) in 5 but no or less threading in 3 , 4 or 6 ; indeed polyester 3 provides a control because its macrocyclic component ( 1a ) too small to be threaded, even by a polymethylene chain. Threading in 5 was undetectable through NOESY experiments. However, melt polymerization of bis(5-hydroxymethyl-m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 ( 7 ) with sebacoyl chloride ( 8 ) gave an insoluble, but swellable elastomeric material 9 , a polyrotaxane network, as a result of more extensive in situ threading brought about by hydrogen bonding of the crown ether with the alcohol moieties in the more concentrated medium.

Optimization studies of the condensation of methyl 3,5-dihydroxybenzoate (1) with tetra(ethylene glycol) dichloride (3) resulted in improvement of the yield of the 1 + 1 cyclization product, 5-carbomethoxy-m-phenylene-16-crown-5 (5), to 67% (HPLC), but no improvement in the yield (28%, HPLC) of the desired 2 + 2 product, bis(5-carbomethoxy-m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 (4). However, after optimization, a two-step procedure provided improved yields of 4 and this procedure was generalized to afford other difunctional monomers. Condensation of substituted resorcinols with 3 and subsequent transformations yielded substituted (R) 3,5-bis(11-chloro-3,6,9-trioxaundecyl-oxy)benzenes (7, 9–14). Reaction of dihalides 7 (R = COOCH3), 13 (R = CHO), and 12 (R = CH2OSi(Me)2-t-Bu) with methyl 3,5-dihydroxybenzoate (1) produced bis(5-carbomethoxy-m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 (4) (43%), 5-carbomethoxy-m-phenylene-5′-formyl-m′-phenylene-32-crown-10 (15) (32%), and the lactone (16a) (18%, derived from the initially formed 5-hydroxymethyl-m-phenylene-5′-carbomethoxy-m′-phenylene-32-crown-10 (16)), respectively. Subsequent reactions gave the corresponding diacid (17), bis(hydroxymethyl) (19), bis(bromomethyl) (20), diacetyl (18), diformyl (21), bis(p-nitrophenoxymethyl) (22), and di(acetoxymethyl) (23) derivatives. Keywords: cyclization, functionalized bis(m-phenylene) crown ethers.

A series of monofunctional bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 and m-phenylene-p-phenylene-33-crown-10 derivatives has been synthesized. Cyclization of m- and p-bis(ω-chlorotetraethyleneoxy)benzenes (6) with 5-substituted resorcinols 1 using pseudo-high dilution conditions in DMF and either CsF or K2CO3 as base afforded 5-carbomethoxy-1,3-phenylene-m-phenylene-32-crown-10 (7a, 46%), 5-carbomethoxy-1,3-phenylene-p-phenylene-33-crown-10 (7b, 48%), 5-(benzyloxy)-1,3-phenylene-m-phenylene-32-crown-10 (11a, 42%) and 5-(benzyloxy)-1,3-phenylene-p-phenylene-33-crown-10 (11b, 51%). Unsubstituted m-phenylene-p-phenylene-33-crown-10 (15) was also made (29%) in this way. Functional group conversions of the bis-phenylene macrocycles yielded 5-carboxy-1,3-phenylene-m-phenylene-32-crown-10 (8a), 5-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-phenylene-m-phenylene-32-crown-10 (9a), 5-(bromomethyl)-1,3-phenylene-m-phenylene-32-crown-10 (10a), 5-hydroxy-1,3-phenylene-m-phenylene-32-crown-10 (12a), 5-hydroxy-1,3-phenylene-p-phenylene-33-crown-10 (12b), 5...

(1997). IMPROVED SYNTHESES OF 20- AND 26-MEMBERED bis(5-CARBOMETHOXY-1,3-PHENYLENE) CROWN ETHERS. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 237-240.

The cholesteryl esters (3b and 3a) of 5-carboxy-1,3-phenylene-16-crown-5 and 5-carboxy-4,6-dichloro-1,3-phenylene-16-crown-5 show cholesteric liquid crystalline behavior but only upon heating samples that were rapidly cooled from the isotropic melt in the case of 3a and a monotropic phase for 3b. The dichloro compound 3a was formed by treatment of the corresponding acid 2 with SOCl2 first and then cholesterol; it is believed that the SOCl2 was contaminated with SO2Cl2, leading to the chlorination of the aromatic ring. The dichloro compound 3a was structurally characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction. 3a crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121 with unit cell parameters of a = 12.76(4) A, b = 17.511(5) A, and c = 18.213 A. Use of freshly opened SOCl2 produced 3b. The reaction of the acid 2 and cholesterol in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide yielded the acylisourea 4 as the major product (64%) along with 3b (36%) upon treatment with cholesterol. The dicholesteryl ester 9 of b...

(1997). 5-BENZYLOXYRESORCINOL, A MONOPROTECTED PHLOROGLUCINOL. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 240-242.

Poly(ester crown ether)s were synthesized by direct condensation of bis(5-carboxy-m-phenylene)-(3x + 2)-crown-x, x = 6,8 and 10 ( 1a, 1b and 1c ) with bisphenols via the Higashi method. The formation of higher molecular weight poly(ester crown ether) 5 from the 32-membered crown ether 1c and bisphenol-A ( 2a ) as compared to polyester 3 from 20-membered crown ether 1a and bisphenol-A, polyester 4 made from the 26-membered crown ether 1b and bisphenol-A ( 2a ) and polyester 6 derived from 32-membered 1c and bis(p-t-butylphenyl)-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)methane ( 2b ) under identical conditions is believed to be the result of threading (rotaxane formation) in 5 but no or less threading in 3 , 4 or 6 ; indeed polyester 3 provides a control because its macrocyclic component ( 1a ) too small to be threaded, even by a polymethylene chain. Threading in 5 was undetectable through NOESY experiments. However, melt polymerization of bis(5-hydroxymethyl-m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 ( 7 ) with sebacoyl chloride ( 8 ) gave an insoluble, but swellable elastomeric material 9 , a polyrotaxane network, as a result of more extensive in situ threading brought about by hydrogen bonding of the crown ether with the alcohol moieties in the more concentrated medium.

[formula: see text] Inspired by folded, nonpseudorotaxane complexes of bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 systems, we synthesized a new bicyclic crown ether containing two 1,3,5-phenylene units linked by three tetra(ethyleneoxy) units. The new cryptand forms a "pseudorotaxane-like" inclusion complex with N,N'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium bis(hexafluorophosphate) with association constant Ka = 6.1 x 10(4) M-1, 100-fold greater than that of an analogous simple crown ether.

In a simple one-pot reaction, mono-, di-, tri-, and polyalkylbenzenes, isomeric alkylhalobenzenes, and fluoro-, (trifluoromethyl)-, and 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene were converted to their corresponding diaryl sulfoxides with FSO 3 H•SbF 5 (1:1) (magic acid)/SO 2 . Dependency of the yields on the acidity (H 0 ) and the arene structure was demonstrated. The reduction is superacid-catalyzed, and protonated sulfoxides are the key intermediates en route to sulfides. Protonation of several functionalized diaryl sulfoxides was also studied in magic acid/SO 2 under stable ion conditions

Wie Schlangen, die sich gegenseitig in den Schwanz beisen: Eine heteroditope, selbstkomplementare Verbindung, bestehend aus einer Kronenethereinheit und einer Paraquateinheit, angelt sich in Losung ihresgleichen und bildet so unter Selbstorganisation neuartige, oligo- und polymolekulare Aggregate (siehe Schema; die Kronenethereinheit ist durch die Ellipse und die Paraquateinheit durch das Rechteck symbolisiert).

(1997). 5-BENZYLOXYRESORCINOL, A MONOPROTECTED PHLOROGLUCINOL. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 240-242.

(1997). AN IMPROVED SYNTHESIS OF bis(p-PHENYLENE)-32-CROWN-4. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 234-236.

A new cryptand, bis(1,3,5-phenylene)tri(1,4,7,10-tetraoxadecyl) (3a), has been synthesized in good yield from bis(5-hydroxy-1,3-phenylene)-26-crown-8 (2a) and tri(ethylene glycol) ditosylate using pseudo-high dilution conditions. 3a forms a strong 1:1 complex with paraquat (1) in acetone solution with a high apparent association constant, 1.4 x 10(4) M(-)(1). A stoichiometry of 1:1 was also observed by mass spectrometry in the gaseous state. However, in the solid state, as determined by X-ray crystallography, the two complexes of 3a and the previously reported homologous cryptand, bis(1,3,5-phenylene)tri(1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxatridecyl) (3b), with paraquat (1) have 2:1 stoichiometry. A unique feature of these trimolecular pseudorotaxane-like complexes is that the guest occupies parts of the cavities of two cryptand molecules. For the first time it was found that in cryptand-based complexes, different stoichiometries are possible for the same host-guest pair.

The study was conducted on 11 apparently healthy Murrah buffaloes, aged 8.18 ± 0.61 years and in 2nd to 6th lactation. The buffalo, exhibited estrus was served naturally and blood samples from each buffalo were collected after the service. On confirmation of pregnancy by rectal palpation, blood collection from that animal was continued at every fortnightly interval, during entire gestation, till parturition. If the inseminated buffalo expressed estrus at the next subsequent estrous cycle, it was excluded from the study. The results indicated that the average gestation length in Murrah buffaloes was 321 ± 2.65 days. The growth hormone exhibited increase with advancement in gestation. The FSH showed increasing trend from early to mid gestation, the levels were low during late gestation. The LH and estradiol exhibited increasing trend from early through late gestation. Higher concentration of progesterone was recorded during mid gestation.. Serum cortisol did not significantly differ.

In this work, we present the synthesis and characterization of a new series of wholly-aromatic copolyesters derived from the condensation of various weight fractions of 4,4'-(o- phenylenedioxy)dibenzoic acid (OPDB) and substituted terephthalic acid (BTA) with 2-phenylhydroquinone (PHQ). The Higashi method, involving tosyl chloride and pyridine as solvent, was employed to yield polymer with significant molecular weight. These polymers are intended to enable accessible clearing transition and to control the balance of stiffness and toughness in melt-spun fibers systematically. We report the synthetic details along with characterization of quiescent phase behavior and morphology.

Like the proverbial monkey chain one heteroditopic self-complementary molecule, comprising a crown ether unit and a paraquat unit, catches a second such molecule in solution and thus by self-organization forms novel linear oligo- and polymolecular arrays (shown schematically; the crown ether unit is denoted by the ellipse, and the paraquat unit by the rectangle).

The first supramolecular star polymer based on pseudorotaxane host-guest complexation was prepared from statistical complexation of a homotritopic tris(crown ether) host and monotopic paraquat-terminated polystyrene guest in solution. The formation of this supramolecular star polymer was confirmed by proton NMR characterization and viscosity studies.

The formation of polyrotaxanes of type 1 by “statistical” threading1 will be described. Examples will include polymerization in the presence of macrocycles and threading of preformed polymers and macrocycles. An analysis of the structural and experimental factors involved in the threading process will be presented. The solution and solid state behavior of the polyrotaxanes will be discussed, including situations in which Tg can be controlled by macrocycles that are compatible with the backbone and situations where the threaded macrocycles crystallize. The preparation of polyrotaxanes of type 3 by threading of polymacrocycles 2 with linear polymers and the resultant changes in physical properties will also be described.