Joined statistical – thermodynamic expression for entropy and Hook’s law in the analysis of states of elongated ligament biostructure

Analytic joined statistical - thermodynamic expression for entropy as a function of state for measuring disorder of the corresponding micro state and the mechanical parameters which feature in Hooke’s law on elasticity as a measure of macro state was used in the situation of isothermal elongation of viscoelastic ligament biostructure simultaneously with external force of constant intensity to determine the change of entropy and the resultant reactive elastic force in the function of relative elongation. The sample used for the analysis and testing of the original joined theory shown with adequate equations is tested on linear biostructure approximating the data of Lig. collatelare fibulare which strengthens the lateral side of the knee joint. The obtained results for the tested linear biostructure according to which the minimal value of the difference in dS corresponds to the state of maximal entropy and the minimal value of elastic force indicates the acceptable level of elongation at which a reversible process is still possible, with low probability. This leads to the conclusion that, according to the results obtained here, the biostructure under examination can withstand the elongation which is approximately equal to twice the initial length L0. The relation between the friction force Ftr and the elasticity force Fe for the initial state is 1.0417, which indicates that the friction force is to a certain extent higher than the elastic force. With elongation this ratio changes in favour of the friction force and becomes more prominent with advanced age

Mosquito vectors survey in the AL-Ahsaa district of eastern Saudi Arabia

The present study aimed to identify the mosquito vectors distributed throughout AL-Ahsaa district situated in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Mosquito larvae were collected seasonally for one year (October 2009 to September 2010) from different breeding sites in seven rural areas utilizing long aquatic nets. Salinity and pH of these breeding sites were also measured seasonally. The survey revealed the presence of five mosquito species, Aedes caspius Pallas (Diptera: Culicidae), Anopheles multicolor Cambouliu, Culex perexiguus Theobald, Culex pipiens L., and Culex pusillus Macquart, representing three genera; four of them (Ae. caspius, An. multicolor, Cx. perexiguus, and Cx. pipiens) are important vectors of diseases. Ae. caspius is the most common vector followed by Cx. pipiens and then Cx. perexiguus. Mosquitoes in AL-Ahsaa are prevalent in both winter and spring seasons, rarely encountered in summer, and are found in moderation during the autumn months. These results are compared with results of other regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Mark recapture estimates of dispersal ability and observations on the territorial behaviour of the rare hoverfly, Hammerschmidtia ferruginea (Diptera, Syrphidae)

In order to effectively manage habitat for fragmented populations, we need to know details of resource utilisation, and the capacity of species to colonise unoccupied habitat patches. Dispersal is vital in maintaining viable populations in increasingly fragmented environments by allowing re-colonisation of areas in which populations have gone extinct. In the UK, the endangered aspen hoverfly Hammerschmidtiaferruginea (Fallén 1817) (Diptera, Syrphidae) depends on a limited and transient breeding habitat: decaying aspen wood Populus tremula L. (Salicaceae). Conservation management for H. ferruginea involves encouraging aspen expansion across Scotland, and ensuring retention, maintenance and continuity of dead wood where H. ferruginea has been recorded and in areas that may link populations. In order to do this effectively we need to know how far H. ferruginea can disperse. By taking advantage of the tendency of adults to group on decaying aspen logs, we estimated dispersal ability through mark recapture techniques. In the first year, 1,066 flies were marked as they emerged from aspen logs and 78 were re-sighted at artificially-placed decaying aspen logs up to 4 km from the release site. In the second year, of 1,157 individually marked flies, 112 were re-sighted and one was observed 5 km from the release site. Territorial behaviour was recorded at all (19) decaying aspen log locations. In total, 72 males were recorded defending territories, which overlapped with 68 % of recorded female oviposition sites. Among males only, wing length was positively associated with dispersal. While these results show H. ferruginea is capable of locating decaying logs up to 5 km away, most dispersing individuals (68 %) were recorded at 1 km, which should be taken into account in developing management protocols. If enough dead wood is available it should be distributed within a radius of 1-2 km, and where possible, as stepping-stones linking up aspen woodlands. We discuss the implications of our findings for the natural history of this species, and make recommendations for its conservation management