Biotronic engineering curriculum design: integrating electronic engineering and applied/health sciences

A specialised major in Biotronic Engineering that meets the needs of health care industry was offered at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). The Biotronic Engineering major focuses on integrating electronic and computer systems engineering with human biology and applied sciences to solve problems related to medical systems and devices. Moreover, it covers the design, build and maintenance of medical instrumentation and devices that save people’s lives or help keep them alive. This is a four year Honors degree designed for students who wish to become professional engineers with special knowledge of medical instruments and healthcare

The effects of starvation on some epidermal mucus immune parameters in rainbow trouts

The skin of a fish acts as the primary protective agent against biological, physical, and chemical stress. However, the effects of such stressors on fish mucosal immune responses have been hardly investigated. Fasting or feed deprivation commonly is occurred in aquaculture due to season, production policies, or disease. This research was aimed to investigate the impacts of 20-day starvation on skin mucosal immune responses of rainbow trout. The results revealed that the enzymatic activities of lysozyme (LZM) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as the total immunoglobulins (Ig) level and bactericidal activities were significantly reduced in the skin mucus of fasted fish. No significant changes were observed in the esterase and protease activities. Bactericidal activity in the mucus of starved fish was significantly lower than control group after 20 days. Therefore, it could be strongly suggested that this species should not remain under starvation stress as this kind of stress impairs mucosal immune barriers which, in turn, could make the fish more susceptible to infections or harmful agents

The effects of hand-stripping on some epidermal mucus immune parameters in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Fish epidermis functions as the first defense barrier against physical, chemical, and biological stressors. However, the effects of hand-stripping on fish mucosal immune responses have been hardly investigated. The present study investigated the effects of stripping procedures on skin mucosal immune responses of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) breeders. The skin mucus was sampled from six male and six female trout before and one week after the stripping handling. The results showed that stripping had significant effect on all parameters except protease activity, but gender had a significant effect only on the mucosal protease and alkaline phosphatase activity. The results did not show any effect of the interaction between stripping and gender on mucosal lysozyme activity. The data revealed that enzymatic activities of alkaline phosphatase, lysozyme, esterase, as well as the total immunoglobulin level and bactericidal activity were significantly reduced in the skin mucus of fish one week after the stripping. The reduction of immune parameters in the skin mucus could be related to immunosuppression caused by stripping stress which, in turn, might have made the fish more susceptible to microbial infections and diseases. Therefore, care should be taken during stripping to minimize the manipulation stress.

Life history traits and gonad histology of an endemic cyprinid fish, Mond spotted barb, Capoeta mandica from Southern Iran

The life history traits and gonad development of an endemic cyprinid fish, the spotted barb, Capoeta mandica (Bianco & Banarescu 1982), from southern Iran was investigated by regular monthly collections from February 2006 through January 2007 and on the basis of microscopic and macroscopic analyses. No information on the spawning characteristics of the fish are available to date. A total of 335 specimens were captured using electrofishing including 253 males and 102 females, resulting in 2.5:1 (male: female) sex ratio, which is significantly different from the expected ratio. The commonly known five standard maturation stages were determined based on the size, shape and weight of the gonads, degree of occupation of the body cavity, presence or absence of ripe oocytes, or milt, diameter of the oocytes in the ovary, and histological observations. These stages were correlated to the reproductive indices. The ovum diameters ranged from 0.04 to 1.31 mm, with the highest mean value in May. The condition factor of male and female specimens was the highest in April. The female GSI increased from March to May, peaking in the middle of spring and decreased significantly in June. Based on the gonad maturation stages, gonadosomatic index (GSI), modified GSI, mean egg diameter, condition factor (K) and Dobriyal index (DI), it was concluded that the spotted barb spawns during May and June. The provided data, contribute baseline data towards management ecology and conservation of this endemic fish species

Preparation nano sized HMX by using ultrasonic waves

The researches done on particle size of explosive materials show that with reducing of particle size of explosive materials, reduced impact, friction and shock waves sensitivity. also by using of ultrafine explosive materials in propellant in comparison to larger particle size improved density, stability, calory and mechanical properties. Meanwhile the reduction of particle size of explosive materials influence on combustion mechanism of propellant and reduced burning rate and exponent pressure of different methods used for reduction of particle size, for example, milling, crystallization and etc. In this article for preparation of ultrafine HMX the method of solvent-anti solvent has been used by assistance of ultrasonic device. In optimum state the average size of particle is 106 nm and size distribution is narrow. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/2068

Karyosystematics of Kol tooth-carp, Aphanius darabensis (Teleostei: Cyprinodontidae)

The karyological and cytological characteristics of an endemic cyprinodont fish of Iran, Aphanius darabensis Esmaeili, Teimori, Gholami & Reichenbacher, 2014 have been investigated for the first time by examining metaphase chromosomes spreads obtained from gill epithelial and kidney cells. The diploid chromosome number of A. darabensis is 48. The karyotype consisted of five submetacentric and 19 subtelocentric pairs of chromosomes (5sm+19st). The fundamental number (FN) is 58. Sex chromosomes were cytologically indistinguishable in this tooth-carp. According to this study and previous karyological reports from other cyprinodont species, it can be suggested that the diploid number (2n=48) is common amongst cyprinodont fishes. These results can be used as basic informations in population studies and management and conservation programs

Evaluation of polyethylene microplastic bio-accumulation in hepatopancreas, intestine and hemolymph of freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus

Microplastics (MPs) are one of the biggest environmental problems threatening aquatic life. The accumulation of MPs in the body of aquatic animals can play a role in transferring these pollutants into the food chain. These pollutants can significantly affect the physiology of aquatic animals. In this study, the bioaccumulation capability of MPs in the body of freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus has been evaluated. For this purpose, crayfish were exposed to 0, 500, and 1000 µg L-1 of polyethylene MPs (PE-MPs) for 28 days. Then, the accumulation of MPs in hemolymph, hepatopancreas, and intestine of crabs was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Bioaccumulation of PE-MPs in the hemolymph, hepatopancreas, and intestines was observed in the crayfish exposed to PE-MPs. This study showed that FTIR is a suitable method for identifying and measuring MPs in aquatic organisms