Modeling Sexual Differences of Body Size Variation in Ground Beetles in Geographical Gradients: A Case Study of Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger, 1798) (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

The aim of this study was to test the steepness of body size variation in males and females in the widespread ground beetle Pterostichus melanarius in geographical gradients. Beetles were sampled in 15 regions of Europe and Asia, and sampling territories differed 17° in latitude and 121° in longitude. We measured six linear traits in every captured beetle and formed a data set that included 2154 individuals. Body size variation in all traits in general was sawtooth, both in latitude and in longitude gradients. Regression analysis showed slight trends: in the latitude gradient, elytra parameters increased, pronotum length did not change but the width increased, and head parameters decreased. In the longitude gradient, the changes were as follows: elytra length increased, but its width did not change; pronotum length did not change, but its width increased; the head parameters decreased. Thus, we observed the elytra length increase and the head parameters decrease northwards and eastwards. We compared female and male regression curves (trait size on latitude/longitude): p-levels were significant only in four cases out of 12. Thus, we conclude that, in general, there is no evidence for the steepness in trait variation in males compared with females.

EFFECT OF ADDITION OF TEMULAWAK EXTRACT (Curcuma xanthorriza) ON ARTIFICIAL FEED ON GURAMI FISH GROWTH (Osphronemus goramy)

The problem with gouramy cultivation was slow growth due to the short intestines of gouramy so that the absorption of feed takes longer and less. Several previous studies used temulawak in the form of flour, extract, oil which was applied to carp, tilapia, milkfish, catfish. The addition of extract, temulawak flour to the feed gave an increase in growth both in length and weight in the test fish. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the effect of temulawak extract on the growth of gouramy fish. This research was conducted for 45 days. This research was conducted by experimental method using a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments (P) 3 times replication (U), in order to obtain 15 experimental units. Treatment 0 Control (without temulawak extract), Treatment 1 Provision of temulawak extract with a concentration of 14%/kg feed, Treatment P2 Administration of temulawak extract with a concentration of 16%/kg feed, treatment P3 Administration of temulawak extract with a concentration of 18%/kg feed, and treatment P4 administration of temulawak extract with a concentration of 20%/kg feed. The results showed that in the P0 treatment the absolute weight gain was 0.78 grams, in the P1 treatment the absolute weight was 0.58 grams, the P2 treatment was 0.33 grams, the P3 treatment was 0.37 grams, and in the P4 treatment it was obtained The result of absolute weight gain was 0.39 grams. The results showed the absolute length increase ranged from 0.35-0.57 cm. It can be concluded that the addition of temulawak extract to the commercial feed of carp has no significant effect on absolute weight, absolute length, survival rate and feed efficiency level.

Impact of Non-genetic Parameters Altering Milk Yield Performance in Zebu Cows

Background: Animal phenotype performance depends on both genetic and non-genetic factors, but mostly the genetic part analysed leaving non genetic parameters unnoticed. The aim of the study is to understand impact of non-genetic factors governing milk yield performance in Deoni cows. Methods: A total of 821 lactation records from 340 lactating cows (2002-2017) along with their age at first calving, parity, season of calving were collected. These data were standardized and analysed to find significant differences using Duncan’s multiple range Test. Result: Deoni cows showed significant increase (P less than 0.05) in both lactation milk yield and lactation length with increase in parity. Season of calving had significant affects (P less than 0.05) on lactation milk yield but not in lactation length. Increase in age at first calving revealed there was a significant difference (P less than 0.05) in both lactation milk yield and lactation length.

Spectroscopic Studies of Polypyrrole - PVA Reinforced Iraqi Bentonite Clay Composites

The mixture of Polypyrrole solution with polyvinyl alcohol reinforced Iraqi Bentonite clay are used for preparing a composite that investigated in this study. The weight percentage of bentonite used is 5, 10, 15, and 20 and the particle size selected is less than 75 μm. Composite samples prepared has a thickness of 0.15mm and dimensions of 2.6×2.8 cm2. The optical properties of polymer composites were studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The values of optical energy gap decreased from 5.44, 5.41, 5.38 and 5.28 eV for the 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt% of bentonite respectively, and the absorption coefficient increased. The extinction coefficient increases with increasing additive bentonite and decreases as the incident wave length increase. The present work is very important for tailoring the optical response of Polypyrrole – bentonite composites according to specific requirements.

Single Molecule Measurements of the Accessibility of Molecular Surfaces

An important measure of the conformation of protein molecules is the degree of surface exposure of its specific segments. However, this is hard to measure at the level of individual molecules. Here, we combine single molecule photobleaching (smPB, which resolves individual photobleaching steps of single molecules) and fluorescence quenching techniques to measure the accessibility of individual fluorescently labeled protein molecules to quencher molecules in solution. A quencher can reduce the time a fluorophore spends in the excited state, increasing its photostability under continuous irradiation. Consequently, the photo-bleaching step length would increase, providing a measure for the accessibility of the fluorophore to the solvent. We demonstrate the method by measuring the bleaching step-length increase in a lipid, and also in a lipid-anchored peptide (both labelled with rhodamine-B and attached to supported lipid bilayers). The fluorophores in both molecules are expected to be solvent-exposed. They show a near two-fold increase in the step length upon incubation with 5 mM tryptophan (a quencher of rhodamine-B), validating our approach. A population distribution plot of step lengths before and after addition of tryptophan show that the increase is not always homogenous. Indeed there are different species present with differential levels of exposure. We then apply this technique to determine the solvent exposure of membrane-attached N-terminus labelled amylin (h-IAPP, an amyloid associated with Type II diabetes) whose interaction with lipid bilayers is poorly understood. hIAPP shows a much smaller increase of the step length, signifying a lower level of solvent exposure of its N-terminus. Analysis of results from individual molecules and step length distribution reveal that there are at least two different conformers of amylin in the lipid bilayer. Our results show that our method (“Q-SLIP”, Quenching-induced Step Length increase in Photobleaching) provides a simple route to probe the conformational states of membrane proteins at a single molecule level.

EFFECT OF BACILLUS MEGATERIUM ONU 500 ON THE GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF SUNFLOWER SEEDLINGS

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Bacillus megaterium ONU 500 on the germination and growth of sunflower seedlings. Materials and methods. Sunflower seeds were sown in containers with soil inoculated with a suspension of bacteria B. megaterium ONU 500 in concentration of 106 CFU/ml. After 21 days growth characteristics of seedlings were compared: germination, average height, root length, leaf area, dry weight. Effect of these microorganisms on biofilm formation on roots was investigated with light microscopy. Results. Inoculation of soil with B. megaterium ONU 500 resulted in the positive effect on roots length (increase by 21%), leaf area (increase by 22%) and dry weight of seedlings (increase by 17.8%). No significant effect on germination and plant height was observed. On the roots of plants grown in soil treated with B. megaterium ONU 500 more developed biofilms with well formed matrix were observed, which indicates the stimulation of ability of plant and soil microbiota to form biofilms in presence of bacilli from the studied strain. Conclusion. The investigations demonstrated that bacteria of B. megaterium ONU 500 strain caused a positive effect on development of sunflower seedlings and formation of biofilms on their roots.

Life of a single bubble growing within an electric field in microgravity: some preliminary results of the Reference mUltiscale Boiling Investigation

The experimental outcomes of single bubbles nucleated and growth from a heated surface immersed in an electric field in high-quality microgravity level are presented. Data were obtained between September 2019 and January 2021 from the European experiment known as Reference mUltiscale Boiling Investigation (also multiscale boiling project), in which single bubbles of FC-72 were nucleated on a heated surface, on-board the International Space Station. In the experiments reported here, an electrostatic field is imposed in the boiling region by a washer-shaped electrode, centred above the nucleation site. The bubbles are heavily distorted by the electric stresses; in particular, contact angles and contact line length increase with electric field intensity. In the appropriate conditions, bubbles are continuously and regularly sucked towards the electrode, because they are attracted to regions of weaker electric field. The significant contribution of electro-convection is highlighted by the bubbles growth rate. These preliminary results contribute to the insight of the basics of boiling and show promising opportunities for practical application of electric fields in space.

O36 LOD (LOSS-OF-DOMAIN) HERNIA TREATMENT WITH INTRAOPERATIVE FASCIA TRACTION. DOES THIS TECHNIQUE MAKE RELEASE OPERATIONS SUPERFLUOUS?

Aim Measurable and controlled stretching of the fascia for 30 minutes during surgery to achieve primary tension-free abdominal wall closure in LOD hernias. This prospective observational study aimed to clarify the extent to which this traction method can function as an alternative to component separation methods. Material and Methods We have already applied this technique in > 50 procedures of LOD hernias. We published the data of first 21 patients treated with intraoperative fascia stretching in seven specialized hernia centers between November 2019 and August 2020. The average patient age was 58 years with a gender ratio of 2.5 males: 1 female. ASA scores were III in 66.7% and II in 33.3%. The body mass index (BMI) averaged 32.5 kg/m2. Thirteen patients were treated with BTA 4 weeks before surgery. Results Intraoperatively-measured fascial distance averaged 17.3 cm (range 8.5–44 cm). After application of diagonal-anterior traction >10 kg for an average duration of 32.3 min (range 30–40 min), the fascial distance decreased by 9.8 cm (1–26 cm) to an average 7.5 cm (range 2–19 cm), which is a large effect (r = 0.62). The fascial length increase (average 9.8 cm) after applied traction was highly significant. All hernias were closed under moderate tension after the traction phase. In 19 patients, this closure was reinforced with mesh using a sublay technique. Conclusions This method allows primary closure of complex LOD hernias and is potentially less prone to complications than component separation methods.

Herschel-Bulkley Model of Blood Flow through a Stenosed Artery with the Effect of Chemical Reaction on Solute Dispersion

A non-Newtonian mathematical model of blood described as a Hershel-Bulkley fluid model flowing in a stenosed artery with the effect of a chemical reaction is mathematically studied. The expressions of the shear stress, mean velocity and absolute velocity in the plug and non-plug flow field are evaluated analytically. The convective-diffusion equation is solved using the Taylor-Aris technique subject to the relevant boundary constraint in determining the concentration, relative and effective axial diffusivity. The efficiency of the dispersion process is affected by the presence of chemical reaction and stenosis in blood flow. The normalized velocity decreases as stenosis height and stenosis length increase. The relative axial diffusivity is significantly lower while the effective axial diffusivity decreases considerably as the chemical reaction rate, the height of the stenosis and the length of the stenosis increase. Besides, it is observed that as the solute disperses in the presence of stenosis, the flow quantities are lesser than in the absence of stenosis. Further, this study helps in understanding many physiological processes for instance dispersion of drugs or nutrients in the circulatory system. Also, to enhance the dispersion of a solute in blood flow through narrow arteries in the presence of chemical reaction and stenosis.