Since the earliest 20th. century (the first use of ARTIFICIAL FEEDING technique) various apparatuses was made .This technique was used for arthropod rearing and also parasitological studies e.g. inoculation of parasites and study of their life cycle ,survey of various drugs on parasites etc. A new portable apparatus has designed with simple construction at the insectry of Public Health School of Tehran University of Medical Science. This apparatus was enabled to run a wide range of voltage such as automobile electricity in field. Attraction of Anopheles stephensi Tehran insectry strain to this apparatus with four kind of blood was evaluate the technique’s efficiency in comparison to natural blood FEEDING of Guinea pig which is an usual method. It was revealed that the greatest attraction for defibrinated sheep blood was (13±3) that has no significant difference (Pvalue<0.05) with natural blood FEEDING (13±0.57) and the least a traction was with citrated sheep blood (9/33±0/33). This apparatus with defibrinated sheep blood may be considered as an alternative of natural blood FEEDING.

Background: Due to strict ethical rules, the risk of accidental disease transmission and the most importantly, inconven-ience regarding using of live animals, ARTIFICIAL FEEDING apparatus has been developed for colonization of haematophagous insects. Rearing of sandfly is more difficult than other haematophagous insects. Methods: In the current study, a new apparatus for membrane FEEDING of Phlebotomus papatasi was designed, made and compared with available apparatus in Sand Fly Insectary, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, in 2014. Results: In comparison to other apparatus designed for ARTIFICIAL FEEDING of other arthropods, our designed apparatus had the highest performance which after up to 1h, the majority of sand flies landed and took blood and among tested membranes, chicken skin was proved the most efficient membrane. Conclusion: Sand fly ARTIFICIAL FEEDING apparatus can be used at least for rearing of Ph. papatasi.

Background and Aim: Discoloration is among the most common problems of composite restorations. Color change over time compromises the main advantage of composite resins namely their high esthetics. In such cases, the restoration needs to be replaced. .The aim of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the effect of accelerated ARTIFICIAL aging (AAA) on the color stability of three composite resins (Filtek Z250, Filtek Z250XT, and Filtek Supreme). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 7 composite specimens with equal dimensions were fabricated of each composite resin. The initial color of specimens was measured using a spectroradiometer according to the CIE L*a*b* system. The specimens were then submitted to AAA for 384h and underwent color assessment again. Before and after aging, the surface roughness of one specimen from each group was determined by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The obtained color parameters were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Results: The color change of Filtek Z250 was significantly lower than that of Filtek Z250XT and Filtek Supreme (P≤0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between Z250XT and Supreme in this respect (P>0.05 ). Conclusion: All composite resins showed color change above the clinically acceptable threshold. Z250 microhybrid composite was more color stable than nano-composites (Z250XT and Supreme). AAA increased the surface roughness in all groups but it was within the clinically acceptable range.

Background: The efficiency of ARTIFICIAL FEEDING system of mosquitoes kept in insectrium depends on its technology of designing, kind of membrane and food quality. This study was conducted to find the best membrane and food regimen among three prevalent membranes (Parafilm "M", sheep intestine and chicken skin). Numbers of attracted mosquitoes were recorded in one hour of exposure as a measure of comparisons. Methods and Materials: the experiment was conducted in constant circumstances of insectrium (temperature: 28+2C and relative humidity: 70%+ 10%). Each experiment contained three replicates a lot of 20 non-blood_fed(sugar fed) 4-5 days old Anopheles stephensi. Results: In statistical analysis of the results of comparing membranes there was not any significant difference between the means (P= 0.07). However, statistical analysis of the results of comparing bloods revealed that the difference between the means is meaningful. Conclusions: Considering the obtained results and the experiments Parafilm "M" as an applicable membrane and sheep defibrinate blood as a suitable food regimen is recommended for ARTIFICIAL FEEDING of an, stephensi.

Introduction: In order to control the diseases that are transmitted to human and animal by arthropod vectors, it is necessary to investigate vectors and to recognize control methods as well. These studies are applicable by rearing the colonies of arthropod blood-feeders like malaria and leishmaniasis in laboratory. The purpose of this study was to produce mass production of Anopheles stephensi (Lis.) by ARTIFICIAL FEEDING with human blood in insectary.Methods: We prepared an apparatus composed of a digital thermostat with sensor, element, contactor and a magnet in order to blood-feed An. stephensi. The Para film "M" and a human whole blood unit were used as a membrane and nutrient source for ARTIFICIAL FEEDING, respectively. The blood was placed in a soft lid and its surface was covered with Para film "M". The soft drink lids with blood were placed on the cage surface and indirectly warmed by element. An. stephensi fed from blood.Results: Three consecutive generations were reared without blood-FEEDING on host alive from the egg of mother colony. Female mosquito FEEDING rate was 47.7% to 64%. The average females FEEDING and ovipositing times were 10 and 9 times, respectively. No mortality was seen among the larvae. All of the pupae emerged to the adult. The second and third generation of population ratios to first population generation was 6 and 25 folds, respectively.Conclusion: Our findings showed that ARTIFICIAL FEEDING by human blood, especially in the investigational projects was completely efficient and suitable for increasing mosquitoes' population in specific time.

To provide a scientific basis for ARTIFICIAL culture, the effects of different breeding densities, FEEDING cycles, and light environments on the growth regulation of Poecilobdella manillensis were studied. After P. manillensis were cultured at breeding densities of 250 ~ 3250 leeches m-2; FEEDING cycles of 2 ~ 16 days; and a light environment with noise or a light-free environment without noise, the weight gain rate (RWG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion rate (FCR), and total content of the effective component (TCEC) were measured for 64 days. The results showed that the RWG and SGR presented the same growth indexes, which decreased with the increase in breeding density and the lengthening of the FEEDING cycle. In the light environment, the RWG and SGR of P. manillensis were lower than in the dark environment. The TCEC of groups 2 d and 4 d were significantly higher than in the other FEEDING cycle experiment groups. From these results, we advise that the optimal breeding density for ARTIFICIAL culture is 1750 leeches m-2 and the FEEDING cycle is 4 days; in the dark and quiet environment, P. manillensis grew better.

Large colonies of gulls used to gather near and around the delta of Cheshmeh Kileh River at central south of Caspian sea during Autumn and Winter every year. A study has been undertaken to identify species and population numbers of the gulls and to find out whether FEEDING them ARTIFICIALly is a good action or not! Six colonies of Gulls identified visiting and wintering in this area regularly. A total of 21859 Gulls have been counted during the six months survey, and the largest colony belong to Black-headed Gull (11319), while the lowest were Little Gull (26), and the peak of all colonies(2703) occurred on January/15/2009. Many attempts have been done in order to analyze and compare different views by use of SPSS software. As there were 17 variables with 50 different answers, therefore, it was very difficult to reach to a rational point. However, it was tried to deal with all the information and analyze them so that enable us to find 2 charts with different areas under them. The results were shown in the text and attachments. All the birds leave the area during a week after the first half of April/2010. Different views agree or disagree with hand FEEDING the gulls were evaluated and it was concluded that ARTIFICIALly (hand) FEEDING Gulls has adverse effects on their life and should be prevented.

The stem borers, Sesamia spp. (Lepidoptera: Nocuidae) are the most important pest insects on sugarcane and maize in Iran. Biological control using its egg parasitoid wasp, Telenomus busseolae Gahan, is the main recommended controlling method for the pest. On the other hand, mass rearing of T. busseolae is strongly depended on mass rearing of its natural hosts. Current study was conducted to determine probability of mass rearing of Sesamia nonagrioides Lefèbvre using semi-ARTIFICIAL diet under laboratory conditions. The effect of a semi-ARTIFICIAL diet on life table parameters of the mentioned species in comparison with two natural diets, maize and sugarcane was studied under laboratory conditions. Life table construction and related parameters estimation were carried out using two-sex life table analysis procedure. According to the results, there was statistically difference among estimated values of the life table parameters among examined natural and semi-ARTIFICIAL diets. Total developmental period of S. nonagrioides were 53. 51, 39. 58, and 51. 88 days on maize, sugarcane, and semi-ARTIFICIAL diets, respectively and there was no statistically significant difference between maize and semi-ARTIFICIAL diets. Estimated values for intrinsic rate of increase (r), as the most important life table parameter, were 0. 0579, 0. 09090and 0. 0700d-1 on maize, sugarcane, and semi-ARTIFICIAL diet, respectively. Regarding intrinsic rate of increase, by statistically placing semi-ARTIFICIAL diet in the second group between two natural hosts of corn and sugarcane, its proper quality to meet the nutritional needs of the target species was confirmed. Considering all of the results and acceptable values of the life table parameters, examined semi-ARTIFICIAL diet is recommended for mass rearing of S. nonagrioides.

Introduction: Discoloration is one of the most common reasons for replacement of resin composites. The purpose of this study was to compare the color stability of three Methacrylate-based Resin Composites (Filtek Z250, Filtek Z250x, Filtek Z350xt) with Silorane-based Resin Composites (Filtek P90) after Accelerated ARTIFICIAL Aging (AAA).Materials & Methods: In this in vitro study 56 composite discs were prepared (N=14). CIE L*a*b* parameters of each specimen were measured by a reflectance spectrophotometer after 24h and 384 h of AAA. Then Color change (DE) of each composite was calculated. Data were analyzed by one way ANOVA, Tukey and paired t-test at the significance level of 0.05.Results: DE values of Filtek Z250, Filtek Z250x, Filtek Z350xt and Filtek P90 were 7.77, 5.86, 8.95 and 8, respectively. One way ANOVA demonstrated a significant difference between DE values of composites (P˂0.001). Tukey’s test revealed that DE value of Filtek Z250xt was significantly lower than those of other composites (P˂0.05).Conclusion: Silorane and methacrylate based composites showed a color change more than the clinically acceptable level (DE˃3.3) after AAA. Filtek Z250xt showed the lowest color change and other composites showed relatively similar color change.

The study objective was to evaluate the effects of reducing dietary starch content in fresh cow diets while maintaining NDF levels by substituting barley grain (BG), corn silage (CS), or both with beet pulp (BP) on DMI, lactation performance, serum mineral and metabolites concentrations, liver enzymes and liver functionality index (LFI), serum insulin and revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (RQUICKI). Thirty-six multiparous cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental diets from calving to 21 days in lactation. Experimental diets were a high-starch diet with ground BG (CO; 24.9% starch; 0% BP) and 3 low-starch diets where BP substituted for either BG (BB; 19.6% starch; 7% BP), CS (BC; 20.6% starch; 12% BP) or CS and BG (BCB; 20.3% starch; 12% BP). Relative to CO cows (16.50 kg/d), DMI was greater for BC (17.70 kg/d) and BCB (17.50 kg/d) cows, but it was lesser in BB (15.60 kg/d) cows. Similar to DMI results, milk yields tended to be greater for BC (37.89 kg/d) and BCB cows (37.81 kg/d) compared to CO cows (35.41 kg/d), but BB cows (33.05 kg/d) tended to produce less milk than CO cows. Relative to CO, cows fed BB had lower serum glucose concentrations, whereas cows fed BC and BCB had higher serum glucose. Serum insulin concentrations were lower for BB cows than for other exprimental groups. Relative to CO, serum NEFA and BHB concentrations were lower for BC and BCB, but was similar between BB and CO. The RQUICKI was lower for CO, BC cows than BB cows, and cows in BCB tended to have less RQUICKI compared to BB during postpartum. The concentrations of gamma glutamyl transferase were lower in BC and BCB cows relative to CO and BB cows. The cows fed CO and BB had higher serum bilirubin relative to cows fed BC and BCB diets. Although, LFI for CO cows was similar to cows on BB, BC and BCB, BC cows had higher LFI than BB cows and tended to have greater LFI than CO cows. Overall, reducing dietary starch by replacing CS (BC) or a mix of CS and BG (BCB) with BP positively affected DMI and milk yield and indicated improved energy metabolism and liver function during the first 21 d of lactation compared to when BP was fed instead of BG to reduce starch (BB).