Secondary Cerebellar Cortex Injury in Albino Male Rats after MCAO: A Histological and Biochemical Study

The present study focused on secondary injury following the middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in rats not linked to the MCA’s feeding zone. This entity has been very rarely studied. Additionally, this study investigated the rates of expression of five fundamental angiogenic biomarkers called endoglin, vascular endothelial growth factors-A (VEGF-A), endothelin-1 (ET-1), 2granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and angiopoietin-using the MCA occlusion (MCAO) model. The random allocation of twelve adult male albino rats was in two groups. As a sham control group, six rats were used. This group was subjected to a sham operation without MCAO. The MCAO group consisted of six rats that were subjected to MCAO operation. After three days, the rats were sacrificed. The cerebellar specimens were immediately processed for light microscopic examination. An angiogenic biomarkers multiplex assay from multiplex was used to assess endoglin levels, VEGF-A, ET-1, angiopoietin-2, and G-CSF in serum samples. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections showed that the cerebellar cortex of rats of the MCAO group was more affected than the sham control group. Furthermore, Nissl stain and immunohistochemical analysis revealed an apparent increase in the number of positive immunoreactive in the cerebellar cortex and an evident decrease in Nissl granules in Purkinje cells of the MCAO rats, in contrast to the control rats. In addition, there was a significant increase in angiogenic factors VEGF-A, ET-1, angiopoietin-2, and endoglin. Interestingly, there was an increase in the G-CSF but a non-significant in the MCAO rats compared to the control rats. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the angiopoietin-2 and ET-1, and between G-CSF and ET-1. VEGF-A also exhibited significant positive correlations with the G-CSF serum level parameter, Endoglin, and ET-1. Rats subjected to MCAO are a suitable model to study secondary injury away from MCA’s feeding zone. Additionally, valuable insights into the association and interaction between altered angiogenic factors and acute ischemic stroke induced by MCAO in rats.

Induction of a Compensatory Photosynthetic Response Mechanism in Tomato Leaves upon Short Time Feeding by the Chewing Insect Spodoptera exigua

In addition to direct tissue consumption, herbivory may affect other important plant processes. Here, we evaluated the effects of short-time leaf feeding by Spodoptera exigua larvae on the photosynthetic efficiency of tomato plants, using chlorophyll a fluorescence imaging analysis. After 15 min of feeding, the light used for photochemistry at photosystem II (PSII) (ΦPSII), and the regulated heat loss at PSII (ΦNPQ) decreased locally at the feeding zones, accompanied by increased non-regulated energy losses (ΦNO) that indicated increased singlet oxygen (1O2) formation. In contrast, in zones neighboring the feeding zones and in the rest of the leaf, ΦPSII increased due to a decreased ΦNPQ. This suggests that leaf areas not directly affected by herbivory compensate for the photosynthetic losses by increasing the fraction of open PSII reaction centers (qp) and the efficiency of these centers (Fv’/Fm’), because of decreased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). This compensatory reaction mechanism may be signaled by singlet oxygen formed at the feeding zone. PSII functionality at the feeding zones began to balance with the rest of the leaf 3 h after feeding, in parallel with decreased compensatory responses. Thus, 3 h after feeding, PSII efficiency at the whole-leaf level was the same as before feeding, indicating that the plant managed to overcome the feeding effects with no or minor photosynthetic costs.

Changes in Light Energy Utilization in Photosystem II and Reactive Oxygen Species Generation in Potato Leaves by the Pinworm Tuta absoluta

We evaluated photosystem II (PSII) functionality in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) before and after a 15 min feeding by the leaf miner Tuta absoluta using chlorophyll a fluorescence imaging analysis combined with reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection. Fifteen minutes after feeding, we observed at the feeding zone and at the whole leaf a decrease in the effective quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (ΦPSII). While at the feeding zone the quantum yield of regulated non-photochemical energy loss in PSII (ΦNPQ) did not change, at the whole leaf level there was a significant increase. As a result, at the feeding zone a significant increase in the quantum yield of non-regulated energy loss in PSII (ΦNO) occurred, but there was no change at the whole leaf level compared to that before feeding, indicating no change in singlet oxygen (1O2) formation. The decreased ΦPSII after feeding was due to a decreased fraction of open reaction centers (qp), since the efficiency of open PSII reaction centers to utilize the light energy (Fv′/Fm′) did not differ before and after feeding. The decreased fraction of open reaction centers resulted in increased excess excitation energy (EXC) at the feeding zone and at the whole leaf level, while hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production was detected only at the feeding zone. Although the whole leaf PSII efficiency decreased compared to that before feeding, the maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), and the efficiency of the water-splitting complex on the donor side of PSII (Fv/Fo), did not differ to that before feeding, thus they cannot be considered as sensitive parameters to monitor biotic stress effects. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging analysis proved to be a good indicator to monitor even short-term impacts of insect herbivory on photosynthetic function, and among the studied parameters, the reduction status of the plastoquinone pool (qp) was the most sensitive and suitable indicator to probe photosynthetic function under biotic stress.

Domestic Animal Welfare at the Zoo: The Impact of an Animal Visitor Interaction Program on Chickens

Many modern zoos strive to create connections between guests and animals through animal visitor interaction (AVI) programs. However, there has been relatively little research into the effect of AVI programs on the welfare of program animals. Previous research has revealed three factors that may affect AVI program animal welfare: species differences, handling and transport, and the provision of choice and control. We assessed the effects of an AVI program designed with these factors in mind on the behavior of a flock (N = 16) of zoo-housed domestic chickens (Gallus gallus). Behavioral data were collected on program days and on non-program (control) days, and we considered the time leading up to the program, the program itself, and the time immediately following the program. When comparing flock behavior on program days to control days, we found no differences in behavioral indicators of welfare during the time leading up to the program and during the program. Rates of aggression, however, were significantly greater after the program had concluded compared to the same time period on matched control days, but still occurred infrequently. Additionally, we recorded the spatial location of each animal while the program occurred and found that the chickens did not spend significantly more or less time in the feeding zone as visitor participation increased, although there were individual differences within the flock. We conclude that the relatively small behavioral changes seen were not indicative of a change in welfare and consider those results in the context of the program design.

Proximity Interactions in a Permanently Housed Dairy Herd: Network Structure, Consistency, and Individual Differences

Understanding the herd structure of housed dairy cows has the potential to reveal preferential interactions, detect changes in behavior indicative of illness, and optimize farm management regimes. This study investigated the structure and consistency of the proximity interaction network of a permanently housed commercial dairy herd throughout October 2014, using data collected from a wireless local positioning system. Herd-level networks were determined from sustained proximity interactions (pairs of cows continuously within three meters for 60 s or longer), and assessed for social differentiation, temporal stability, and the influence of individual-level characteristics such as lameness, parity, and days in milk. We determined the level of inter-individual variation in proximity interactions across the full barn housing, and for specific functional zones within it (feeding, non-feeding). The observed networks were highly connected and temporally varied, with significant preferential assortment, and inter-individual variation in daily interactions in the non-feeding zone. We found no clear social assortment by lameness, parity, or days in milk. Our study demonstrates the potential benefits of automated tracking technology to monitor the proximity interactions of individual animals within large, commercially relevant groups of livestock.

KOLONI BURUNG CANGAK ABU (Ardea cinerea LINNAEUS) DI AREA BANDAR UDARA INTERNASIONAL ADISUTJIPTO YOGYAKARTA (Grey Heron Colony (Ardea cinerea Linnaeus) in Yogyakarta Adisutjipto International Airport Area)

AbstrakBird strike merupakan peristiwa tabrakan antara burung baik secara berkelompok maupun tunggal dengan pesawat terbang pada proses penerbangan. Kejadian bird strike dapat menyebabkan kecelakaan ringan hingga serius yang sangat merugikan secara ekonomi Sekalipun telah dilakukan bird control secara maksimal berdasarkan panduan yang tersedia, namun bird strike juga terkadang masih terjadi di Bandar Udara Internasional Adisutjipto Yogyakarta (JOG) dengan tingkat kerusakan pesawat dari berat sampai ringan. Salah satu jenis burung penyebab kejadian bird strike di kawasan ini adalah cangak abu. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui besaran dan prilaku koloni burung cangak abu (Ardea cinerea) pengunjung area. Pengambilan data besaran koloni burung pengunjung dilakukan dengan penghitungan langsung (sensus); perilaku selama di lokasi antara lain waktu dan arah datang dan pergi serta aktivitas yang dilakukan burung cangak abu selama di area bandara diamati dan dicatat secara langsung. Semua data yang diperoleh dianalisis secara deskriptif-kualitatif dan diperbandingkan burung lain dan hasil penelitian lain sehingga dapat diperoleh gambaran yang jelas tentang mengapa koloni cangak abu tersebut menjadi pengunjung area bandara. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan. Keberadaan burung cangak abu di Bandara Adisutjipto berpotensi relatif terbesar menimbulkan kejadian bird strike dibanding burung jenis lainnya karena jumlah individu harian yang datang terbanyak, frekuensi kedatangannya tertinggi kedua setelah burung wallet, ukuran tubuhnya yang relatif terbesar, terbang rendah, terbang pelan dan manuvernya juga lamban serta terbang menyilang landasan. Kondisi lingkungan area runway bandara yang luas, lapang terbuka, ditutupi hijauan rerumputan, berangin, aman dari predator, sepi jauh dari kegiatan manusia dan lokasinya yang strategis diantara zona roosting/nesting dan zona foraging/feeding menjadi lokasi yang ideal bagi koloni cangak abu untuk melakukan kegiatan harian loafing. Pengelola bandara JOG perlu meningkatkan kewaspadaan terhadap kemungkinan peningkatan kehadiran burung cangak abu, dan perlu memperluas jangkauan pengelolaan populasi cangak abu di luar wilayah bandara.AbstractBird strike is a bird collision event both in groups and singly with an aircraft in the flight process. Bird strike events can cause minor to serious accidents which are very detrimental to the economy. Although maximum bird control has been carried out based on the available guidelines, bird strikes also sometimes occur at Yogyakarta Adisutjipto International Airport (YAIA) with the level of aircraft damage from heavy to light. One type of bird that causes the bird strike incident at YAIA is grey heron. The purpose of this study was to determine the dayly individual number and behavior of the grey heron (Ardea cinerea), visitors to the YAIA area. Data collection on visitor bird colony size is carried out by direct count (census); behavior while in YAIA, including the time and direction of coming and going, and what the grey heron did during the airport area was observed and recorded directly. All data obtained were analyzed descriptively-qualitatively and compared to other birds and other research results so that a clear picture of why the colony of grey heron can be obtained as a visitor to the YAIA area. The results showed. the presence of grey heron (Ardea cinerea) at Adisutjipto Airport has the highest relative potential to cause bird strike events compared to other types of birds because the highest number of daily individuals, the second highest frequency of arrival after a glossy swiftlet, the largest relative body size, low flight, slow flight and maneuvers are also slow and fly across the runway. The YAIA runway area, which is wide, open and covered with grasses, windy, safe from predators, is quiet away from human activities and a strategic location between the roosting / nesting zone and the foraging / feeding zone makes it an ideal location for grey heron colonies to conduct colony of grey heron daily loafing activities. In conclusion, the manager of YAIA needs to increase awareness of the possibility of increasing the presence of grey herons, and it is necessary to broaden the scope of management of the grey heron population outside the YAIA region.

Research of the polymer granules shape and size influence on their tribological properties

The use of a mathematical model of discrete motion of bulk material were justified for movement of polymer granules in the working channel of feeding zone of the screw extruder as a set of particles moving relative to each other based on the Discrete Element Method taking into account the influence of the shape and the size of polymer granules on their tribological properties on the example of the problem of forming the angle of repose. The study of the interaction among the granules of the following four polymers has been conducted: high-density polyeth-ylene of brand Marlex HHM 5502BN (HDPE), copolymer of ethylene with vinyl acetate (sevilene) of brand 11104-030(CEV), polystyrene of brand Denka Styrol MW-1-301 (PS), polyvinyl chloride of brand SorVyl G 2171/9005 11/01 (PVC), which are selected because they are widely used in industry and at the same time differ from each other in shape, size and physical and mechanical characteristics. The Hertz-Mindlin viscoelastic model was used to de-scribe the interaction between granules, which assumes that the sphere-shaped particles do not deform upon con-tact and overlap each other by a predetermined amount, forming a contact patch. The study was carried out in the EDEM software package. The calculation results for the formation of an angle of repose of natural methods and numerical experiment were given with the two approaches to modeling the shape of pellets were analyzed: the consideration in the form of granules in the form of spheres and in the form of multisphere, when the calculated shape of the pellets as close to real. The results of the calculations on the formation of the angle of repose prove that the discrete motion model of bulk material based on the discrete element method when using the form of gran-ules close to real better reproduces the behavior of bulk materials compared to spherical granules.

REPRODUCTION OF FISH AND IN-VERTEBRATES UNDER THE INFLU-ENCE OF POLLUTANTS

The pollution of surface waters has be-come rampant, which has led to the degrada-tion of many fishery reservoirs. The variety of toxicants entering water bodies in various ways is extremely large and is constantly being replenished with new substances. Their impact on aquatic organisms is associ-ated with the development of pathological processes, degradation of populations up to their death. This is especially evident in the main object of the use and protection of fish-ery reservoirs - fish. First of all, the most valuable species of whitefishes and salmon-ids suffered in the North-West region. The paper considers one of the main problems of fisheries in the North-Western region of Russia – the decrease in fish stocks and catches in natural reservoirs, and reveals the main reason for this ongoing process - the violation of natural and factory reproduction of fish and invertebrates due to the influence of a toxicological factor. This primarily affected the most valuable fish species - salmonids, white-fishes, pike perch. It has been shown that in recent years in Lake Ladoga (especially in its southern shallow zone, the main breeding and feeding zone of many fish species) and other reservoirs of the region, the negative situation of violation of repro-duction of fish and invertebrates (fish food supply) has significantly worsened, which has had a very negative impact, including the decline in the catch of especially valuable fish resources. Measures to prevent negative events are in-dicated. The need to take urgent measures to reduce the flow of pollutants into Europe's largest Lake Ladoga and other important fisheries reservoirs in the North-West region is emphasized.

Developing an Automated Feeding System for Distributing Concentrated Goat Feed

Highlights An automatic feeding system, employing a suspended-type feed dispenser and capable of detecting different zones and accordingly adjusting the quantity of feed distributed, was designed for distributing concentrated feed to goats.The assigned tasks were satisfactorily completed by the system with no major malfunctions or problems.The farmer of the test barn reported a 10% increase in lactation quantity with no additional labor.The automatic feeding system is a means of resolving the labor shortage problem and achieving an improved feeding strategy for goat husbandry.Abstract. To resolve the labor shortage problem and to achieve better feeding strategy for goat husbandry in Taiwan, an automatic feeding system (AFS) was developed. Because of the relatively small scale of Taiwanese goat farms, goats at various growth stages are kept in the same barn but separated into zones. Different concentrated feed formulas are needed for goats at different growth stages. The majority of goat farms in Taiwan adopt elevated-floor-type barn. The zone-separating fences and the meshed floors hinder the application of walking-type feed dispenser. Corresponding to the farming conditions, the AFS was designed to use suspended-type feed dispenser and is capable of detecting different zones and adjusting the distribution proportion accordingly. This system comprises a feed bucket and distribution unit, a suspended feed bucket moving unit, and a sensor control unit. A programmable logic controller is used as the controller. Electric power needed to move the dispenser and to power other devices is translated through a conductor rail system, and the control signals are transmitted using wireless transceivers. The feed bucket incorporates two sub-buckets for different types of feed and distributes different proportions and quantities of feed at different times according to the feeding zone. A vibrating motor was used to prevent bridging and jamming of feeds inside feed buckets. The system was also equipped with ultrasonic sensors to detect the quantity of feed remaining in the buckets and proceeded with an automatic refilling procedure when the quantity remaining is too low. A maximum of 12 time periods for feeding can be scheduled daily. Functional tests results showed that the AFS could achieve the design goals, which include evenly dispensing various proportion concentrated feeds according to the zones, at several set disperser travelling speeds. The vibrating motor could realize zero feed remaining in the feed buckets. Field tests were carried out in a 55- × 10-m goat barn with 385 goats for six months. The barn was divided into six zones. Goats were fed 8 times per day, four times as much as compared to the conventional feeding scheme, with preset amounts of concentrated feed distributed per goat per meal. Field test results indicated that the AFS could satisfactorily fulfill the assigned tasks with no major malfunction or problem. In addition, the farmer of the test barn reported a 10% increase of lactation quantity with no additional labor after using the system for 1 year. This system proved to be feasible, have practical value and commercial potential. An extensive application of this system in the future is expected to resolve the labor shortage that besets goat farming. Keywords: Automatic, Goat farm, Labor saving, Smart agriculture.

On the inclinations of the Jupiter Trojans

Jupiter Trojans are a resonant asteroidal population characterised by photometric colours that are compatible with trans-Neptunian objects, high inclinations, and an asymmetric distribution of the number of asteroids between the two swarms. Different models have been proposed to explain the high inclination of the Trojans and to interpret their relation with the Trans-Neptunian objects, but none of these models can also satisfactorily explain the asymmetry ratio between the number of asteroids in the two swarms. It has recently been found that the asymmetry ratio can arise if Jupiter has migrated inwards through the protoplanetary disc by at least a few astronomical units during its growth. The more numerous population of the leading swarm and the dark photometric colours of the Trojans are natural outcomes of this new model, but simulations with massless unperturbed disc particles led to a flat distribution of the Trojan inclinations and a final total mass of the Trojans that was 3–4 orders of magnitude larger than the current mass. We here investigate the possible origin of the peculiar inclination distribution of the Trojans in the scenario where Jupiter migrates inwards. We analyse different possibilities: (a) the secular evolution of an initially flat Trojan population, (b) the presence of planetary embryos among the Trojans, and (c) capture of the Trojans from a pre-stirred planetesimal population in which Jupiter grows and migrates. We find that the secular evolution of the Trojans and secular perturbations from Saturn do not affect the inclination distribution of the Trojans appreciably, nor is there any significant mass depletion over the age of the Solar System. Embryos embedded in the Trojan swarms, in contrast, can stir the Trojans to their current degree of excitation and can also deplete the swarms efficiently, but it is very difficult to remove all of the massive bodies in 4.5 Gyr of evolution. We propose that the disc where Jupiter’s core was forming was already stirred to high inclination values by other planetary embryos competing in the feeding zone of Jupiter’s core. We show that the trapped Trojans preserve their high inclination through the gas phase of the protoplanetary disc and that Saturn’s perturbations are more effective on highly inclined Trojans, leading to a lower capture efficiency and to a substantial depletion of the swarms during 4.5 Gyr of evolution.