Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) alters its feeding niche in response to changing food resources: direct observations in simulated ponds

We used customized fish tanks as model fish ponds to observe grazing, swimming, and conspecific social behavior of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) under variable food-resource conditions to assess alterations in feeding niche. Different food and feeding situations were created by using only pond water or pond water plus pond bottom sediment or pond water plus pond bottom sediment and artificial feeding. All tanks were fertilized twice, prior to stocking and 2 weeks later after starting the experiment to stimulate natural food production. Common carp preferred artificial feed over benthic macroinvertebrates, followed by zooplankton. Common carp did not prefer any group of phytoplankton in any treatment. Common carp was mainly benthic in habitat choice, feeding on benthic macroinvertebrates when only plankton and benthic macroinvertebrates were available in the system. In the absence of benthic macroinvertebrates, their feeding niche shifted from near the bottom of the tanks to the water column where they spent 85% of the total time and fed principally on zooplankton. Common carp readily switched to artificial feed when available, which led to better growth. Common carp preferred to graze individually. Behavioral observations of common carp in tanks yielded new information that assists our understanding of their ecological niche. This knowledge could be potentially used to further the development of common carp aquaculture

The environmental impact on the hydrogeochemical characterization of the Kurkar aquifer system, Gaza strip, Palestine.

The Gaza strip is suffering groundwater deterioration as a result of high population density where the outflow exceeds inflow by about 20 Mm3/y. This quantity of water is believed to be replaced by deep seawater intrusion and/or upconing of deep brines in the southern areas or by anthropogenic wastewater. Large cones of depression have been formed over the last 40 years within the Gaza, Khan Younis, and Rafah governorates. The salinity increases in the northwestern and the southeastern parts of Gaza Strip. Nitrate and chloride exceed the WHO maximum permissible limits and are considered as the major pollutants of the aquifer, their high concentration values are attributed to agricultural activity and leaked wastewaters as well as the scarcity of the resource. The cluster analysis (Q-mode) classified the data into 5 clusters and 3 independent cases depending upon salinity and nitrate concentrations. The rotated factor analysis identified 3 factors. The AquaChem program clarified that the study area was supersaturated with calcite and dolomite and undersaturated with gypsum and anhydrite minerals. In general, the groundwater was unsuitable for drinking according to their TDS and NO3 contents. The groundwater can be used in permeable soils for irrigation purposes

Lipid profile of alloxan-induced diabetic wistar rats treated with methanolic extract of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp

This study was carried out to assess the antidiabetic properties ofAdansoniadigitata fruit pulp by evaluating the effect of its methanolicextract (MAD) on cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low DensityLipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides. Forty eight male wistar/albino ratsweighing 160 to 240 g were randomly distributed into six treatment groups[Group1, Normal control, each given only 0.2 ml distilled water daily for 4weeks; Group 2, diabetes control rats, induced with 150 mg/kg b.w., i.p.administration of alloxan and thereafter given 0.2 ml distilled waterthroughout the study period; Groups 3, 4 and 5, diabetic (i.p., 150 mg/kgb.w. alloxan) rats were given single oral dose of MAD (100, 200 and 300mg/kg b.w. respectively) for 4 weeks; Group 6, diabetic rats (i.p., 150mg/kg b.w. alloxan) were treated with 84 mg/kg b.w. of Chloropropamide,once daily for 4 weeks]. The serum concentration of cholesterol, HDL, LDLand triglycerides of all the animals in each group were determined after the14th and 28th treatment. There was significant (P<0.001) reduction ofserum cholesterol, LDL and Triglycerides when compared with the diabeticcontrol rats. These reductions were dose dependent and compared wellwith values obtained in the standard drug control group. Significant(P<0.001) increase in HDL were seen in the MAD experimental groups butdiffered significantly (P<0.001) with reduction seen in chloropropamidegroup.Keywords: Antidiabetic property, Adansoniadigitata fruit pulp, Lipid profile,Wistar Rat

USAHA RUMAH TANGGA PETERNAKAN KAMBING DI DUSUN SUKOREJO, DESA TUGU, KECAMATAN SENDANG, KABUPATEN TULUNG AGUNG, PROPINSI JAWA TIMUR

Desa Dusun Sukorejo berada di Desa Tugu. Kecamatan Sendang, Kabupaten Tulung Agung berada dilereng Gunung Wilis. Potensi yang dimiliki oleh desa Tugu adalah sebagai kampung pertanian, perkebunan dan penghasilan sampingan beternak Sapi dan Kambing yang memanfaatkan sumber alam lingkungan. Potensi ekonomi di disektor perternakan kambing dan sapi sangat memungkinkan untuk dikembangkan karena berlimpahnya sumber pakan alam yang tersedia terutama di musim hujan. Bapak Hartono sebagai warga desa tersebutjuga memiliki usaha sampingan ternak kambing yang yang dijalankan secara tradisional sebagaimana layaknya yang dilakukan oleh warga lainya, sehingga capaian kapasitas ternaknya sangat terbatas 5–10 ekor karena keterbatasan waktu dan tenaga untuk penyediaan pakan yaitu mencari pakan ternak setiap hari dengan cara memotong rumput atau hijauan daun.. Dimusim kemarau mengalami kesulitan mencari rumput maupun hijauan daun, sedangkan dimusim hujan dan panen raya sebenarnya banyak bahan pakan dari limbah pertanian yang bisa diolah dengan fermentasi dan disimpan untuk persediaan pakan dimusim kemarau antara lain: Jerami, janggel jagung, hijauan daun dan sebagainya.Berdasarkan hasil survei dan penjelasan dari mitra diperoleh informasi limbah hasil pertanian tersebut berlimpah dan digunakan sebagai kayu bakar atau dibuang, hal ini disebabkan kurangnya pengetahuan tentang pembuatan pakan ternak dan cara/teknologi untuk mengolahnya. Beberapa permasalahan yang dihadapi mitra yaitu: 1. Manajemen pengelolaan usaha masih secara tradisional, 2. Kurangnya pengetahuan pembuatan pakan ternak 3. Belum memiliki alat atau mesin pengolahan pakan ternak, Dari kondisi tersebut kami memberikan solusi dengan pengadaan Teknologi tepat guna mesin pengolahan pakan yaitu mesin Perajang Rumput, serta memberi pelatihan manajemen pengelolaan usaha yang profesional. Beternak secara tradisionall rata-rata hanya mampu memelihara 5-10 ekor sehingga tidak dapat menjadi sumber utama ekonomi keluarga, sedangkan dengan bantuan mesin pengolahan pakan maka masyarakat mampu memelihara kambing minimal 30 – 150 ekor, karena peternak tidak perlu setiap hari mencari rumput atau hijauan daun, sedangkan limbah pertanian saat musim panen raya dapat diolah dan ditimbun untuk kebutuhan dimusim kemarau. Peluang pasar kambing masih sangat terbuka, yaitu untuk konsumsi setiap hari, aqiqoh, hari raya qurban, sedangkan dari sisi produksi masih sedikit industri peternakan kambing dalam sekala besar, sehingga hal ini merupakan peluang yang sangat besar untuk dikembangkan didesa untuk menghambat laju urbanisasi ke Kota Kata kunci: Pakan buatan, Mesin perajang rumpu

Pengaruh Partisipasi Siswa Dalam Pembelajaran Dan Proporsi Waktu Belajar Terhadap Hasil Belajar Ips Pada Siswa Kelas VIII SMP Muhammadiyah 05 Kayen Pati Tahun Pelajaran 2016/2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of student participation in the learning and the proportion of time to learn either partially or simultaneously on learning achievement IPS. This research is quantitative research with associative approach that examine the relationship between variables. The study population was all students of class VIII SMP Muhammadiyah 05 Pati Kayen 2016/2017 school year totaling 124 students. Samples taken as many as 89 students. The sampling technique using proportional sampling. The data collection technique using a questionnaire that had been tested in advance and tested for validity and reliability test. Data analysis technique used is multiple regression analysis, t-test, F, R2 test, as well as the relative contribution and effective. The results showed that: (1) Partisipsi students in learning positive effect on students' learning outcomes IPS at a significance level of 5%. Contributions partisipsi of students in the learning outcomes IPS is equal to 36.1%; (2) The proportion of study time positive effect on the results of social studies students at the significance level of 5%. Contributions proportion of time to learn the results of social studies was 24.5%; (3) Partisipsi proportion of students in learning and learning time together positive effect on learning outcomes IPS eighth grade students of SMP Muhammadiyah 05 Pati Kayen academic year 2016/2017. Overall variable partisipsi influence the proportion of students in learning and learning time contributed 60.6% and the rest influenced by other factors on learning outcomes IPS students. Keywords: Student Participation in Learning, Time Proportion Learning, Learning Achievement IP

Analisis Pengaruh Struktur Modal, Profitabilitas, Dan Liquiditas Terhadap Harga Saham Pada Perusahaan Sektor Pertambangan Yang Terdaftar Di BEI Periode 2012-2016

Penelitian ini bertujuan: (1) Untuk mengetahui pengaruh struktur modal terhadap harga saham pada perusahaan pertambangan yang terdaftar di BEI tahun 2012-2016; (2) Untuk mengetahui pengaruh profitabilitas terhadap harga saham pada perusahaan pertambangan yang terdaftar di BEI tahun 2012-2016; dan (3) Untuk mengetahui pengaruh liquiditas terhadap harga saham pada perusahaan pertambangan yang terdaftar di BEI tahun 2012-2016. Jenis penelitian ini adalah deskriptif kuantitatif. Data dalam penelitian ini adalah data sekunder yaitu berupa laporan keuangan perusahaan pertambangan yang terdaftar di BEI periode tahun 2012-2016. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan dengan dokumentasi. Populasi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh perusahaan pertambangan yang go public dan terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia dari tahun 2012 sampai 2016 yang berjumlah 38 perusahaan. Hasil penelitian ini adalah 1) Debt to Equity Ratio (DER) berpengaruh negatif dan signifikan terhadap Harga Saham perusahaan pertambangan yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia periode 2012-2016. 2) Return On Assets (ROA) berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap Harga Saham perusahaan pertambangan yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia periode 2012-2016. 3) Current Ratio (CR) berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap Harga Saham perusahaan pertambangan yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia periode 2012-2016.

What are the Alternatives of PG Plus Tests for Modified Asphalt Binders?

For characterizing the polymer modified binders, different state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) use different time consuming and empirical Performance Grade (PG) Plus test methods. Furthermore, the PG Plus tests are silent when asphalt binders are modified with chemicals such as polyphosphoric acid (PPA). But, the effects of the polymer are not accurately identified through these conventional tests such as Elastic Recovery (ER) and tenacity. The main goal of this study is to recommend alternative test method(s), which can possibly be pursued by using, a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR). Thus, Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR), ER-DSR, Frequency Sweep, and Binder Yield Energy Test (BYET) are being explored to find their effectiveness. Three PG binders (PG 64-22, PG 70-22 and PG 76-22) have been selected for this investigation. These binders have been prepared with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer, PPA, or a combination of both. Further, chemical tests such as SARA (Saturate, Aromatic, Resin, and Asphaltene) analysis and FTIR (Fourier-transform Infrared spectroscopy) are also being explored to fulfill the objectives. Preliminary findings suggest that the PG Plus tests deem to be obsolete. Also, a single test procedure is not sufficient to identify the presence and effectiveness of modifiers in the PG binders

Iatrogenic insertion of impression mould into middle ear and mastoid and its retrieval after 9 years: a case report

The magnitude of hearing loss in Pakistan is enormous. One in twelve children of Pakistan suffers from some form of hearing impairment. Many of them are unable to afford surgical procedures and resort to the use of cheap hearing aids fitted by untrained individuals or people lacking the required expertise. This predisposes the patients to significant complications during a process that is otherwise considered safe. We report the case of a child, where the process of making the mould for a hearing aid led to the perforation of the tympanic membrane and pouring of mould material into the middle ear, necessitating surgical intervention. During initial surgery it was thought that all mould had been removed from the middle ear but 9 years later this child underwent cochlear implantation at the same center and remaining part of ear mould was discovered from mastoid cavity