New insights into the chromosomes of stoneflies: I. Karyotype, C-banding and localization of ribosomal and telomeric DNA markers in (McLachlan, 1872) (Polyneoptera, Plecoptera, Perlodidae) from Siberia.

This study provides data on chromosome number (2n♂♀=26), sex determination mechanism (XY♂/XX♀), C-banding pattern, distribution of clusters of telomeric TTAGG repeats and 18S ribosomal DNA in the karyotype of the stonefly (McLachlan, 1872). For the first time in the history of stoneflies cytogenetics, we provide photos of the chromosomes of the Plecoptera insects. The karyotype of males and females of consists of 12 pairs of autosomes.

Temperature- and Size-Dependent Photoluminescence of CuInS Quantum Dots.

We present the results of a temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy study on CuInS quantum dots (QDs). In order to elucidate the influence of QD size on PL temperature dependence, size-selective precipitation was used to obtain several nanoparticle fractions. Additionally, the nanoparticles' morphology and chemical composition were studied using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Three-Dimensional Printed Shape Memory Gels Based on a Structured Disperse System with Hydrophobic Cellulose Nanofibers.

Inks for 3D printing were prepared by dispersing bacterial cellulose nanofibers (CNF) functionalized with methacrylate groups in a polymerizable deep eutectic solvent (DES) based on choline chloride and acrylic acid with water as a cosolvent. After 3D printing and UV-curing, the double-network composite gel consisting of chemically and physically crosslinked structures composed from sub-networks of modified CNF and polymerized DES, respectively, was formed. The rheological properties of inks, as well as mechanical and shape memory properties of the 3D-printed gels, were investigated in dynamic and static modes.

Synergistic Effect of Metal Oxide and Carbon Nanoparticles on the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Polyimide Composite Films.

In this paper, we report on novel polyimide (PI) nanocomposites filled with binary mixtures of metal oxide (either TiO or ZrO) nanoparticles and nanocarbon (either carbon nanofibers (CNFs) or functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs)). The structure and morphology of the materials obtained were comprehensively studied. An exhaustive investigation of their thermal and mechanical properties was performed.

Domain Structure, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Polycaprolactone-Based Multiblock Polyurethane-Ureas under Control of Hard and Soft Segment Lengths.

A series of multiblock polyurethane-ureas (PUU) based on polycaprolactone diol (PCL) with a molecular mass of 530 or 2000 g/mol, as well as hard segments of different lengths and structures, were synthesized by the step-growth polymerization method. The chemical structure of the synthesized multiblock copolymers was confirmed by IR- and NMR-spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were used to determine the relaxation and phase transition temperatures for the entire series of the obtained PUU.

Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: An Effective Tool to Modify the Functional Properties of Thermally Stable Polyimide Films.

A series of polyimide/metal oxide (either ZrO or TiO) nanocomposite films were fabricated based on two polymer matrices. The prepared films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and their thermal and mechanical properties were investigated with the use of thermogravimetric (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and thermomechanical analysis (TMA). We have found out that functional properties of the obtained materials are determined by a number of factors, not only the type, size, surface functionality, and concentration of the nanofiller, but also the chemical structure of the matrix polyimide.

Morphological Transformation in Polymer Composite Materials Filled with Carbon Nanoparticles: Part 1-SEM and XRD Investigations.

HDPE-based nanocomposite fibers have been extruded from a melt and drawn up to draw ratio DR = 8. Two kinds of carbon nanodiscs (original ones and those exposed to additional annealing) have been used as fillers. Obtained nanocomposite fibers have been investigated with the help of different experimental methods: rheology, SEM and WAXS.

Narrow Genetic Diversity of Symbionts in Acrididae Grasshopper Hosts (Insecta, Orthoptera).

Bacteria of the genus are maternally inherited symbionts of Nematoda and numerous Arthropoda hosts. There are approximately 20 lineages of , which are called supergroups, and they are designated alphabetically. strains of the supergroups A and B are predominant in arthropods, especially in insects, and supergroup F seems to rank third.

Investigation of Polyetherimide Melt-Extruded Fibers Modified by Carbon Nanoparticles.

The fibers based on thermoplastic partially crystalline polyetherimide R-BAPB modified by vapor grown carbon nanofibers (VGCF) were prepared by melt extrusion, exposed to orientational drawing, and crystallized. All of the samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry to study how the carbon nanofiller influences on the internal structure and crystallization behavior of the obtained R-BAPB fibers. The mechanical properties of the composite R-BAPB fibers were also determined.

Thermal Properties and Structural Features of Multilayer Films Based on Chitosan and Anionic Polysaccharides.

This study investigates the thermal and structural properties of multilayer composites based on chitosan (CS) and polyanions with different functionalities, including sodium sulfoethyl cellulose (SEC), sodium alginate (ALG), and sodium hyaluronate (HA). Unlike polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) obtained by polymer mixing, the formation of a PEC layer by a process of layer-by-layer deposition of oppositely charged polymers is accompanied by the transformation of the CS polymorphic state, and this affects the relaxation and thermal properties of the resulting multilayer composite. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the formation of the PEC layer in the CS/SEC multilayer film is accompanied by crystallization of the CS chains and the formation of a predominantly anhydrous CS modification.

Magnetization of Ultraviolet-Reduced Graphene Oxide Flakes in Composites Based on Polystyrene.

This work presents our study results of the magnetization of multilayer UV-reduced graphene oxide (UV-rGO), polymer matrix (polystyrene), and a conjugated composite based on them. The mesoscopic structure of the composites synthesized in this work was studied by such methods as X-ray diffraction, SEM, as well as NMR-, IR- and Raman spectroscopy. The magnetization of the composites under investigation and their components was measured using a vibrating-sample magnetometer.

The Magnetization of a Composite Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide and Polystyrene.

The use of reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) is a promising way of fabricating organic-inorganic composites with unique electrical and magnetic properties. In our work, polystyrene/r-GO composites were synthesized, in which both the components are linked together by covalent bonds. The r-GO used differs from the graphene obtained from graphite through mechanical exfoliation using the 'scotch tape' by presenting many structural defects.

Karyotypes diversity in some Iranian Pamphagidae grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acridoidea, Pamphagidae): new insights on the evolution of the neo-XY sex chromosomes.

For the first time, cytogenetic features of grasshoppers from Iran have been studied. In this paper we conducted a comparative cytogenetic analysis of six species from the family Pamphagidae. The species studied belong to subfamilies Thrinchinae Stål, 1876 ( (Moritz, 1928), (Uvarov, 1918)) and Pamphaginae ( (Dirsh, 1927), Bolívar, 1912, sp.

Cytogenetic markers reveal a reinforcement of variation in the tension zone between chromosome races in the brachypterous grasshopper Podisma sapporensis Shir. on Hokkaido Island.

The cytogenetic characteristics of the grasshopper Podisma sapporensis (two races 2n = 23♂ X0/XX and 2n = 22♂ neo-XY/neo-XX) were analysed through fluorescence in situ hybridization with rDNA and telomeric DNA probes, C-banding, fluorochrome and silver staining. For the first time, samples from the neighbourhood of a hybrid population (i.e.

Effect of Domain Structure of Segmented Poly(urethane-imide) Membranes with Polycaprolactone Soft Blocks on Dehydration of -Propanol via Pervaporation.

Segmented poly(urethane-imide)s (PUIs) were synthesized by polyaddition reaction and applied for preparation of membranes. Tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate, pyromellitic dianhydride, and -phenylenediamine for chain extension were used to form hard aromatic blocks. Polycaprolactone diols with molecular weights equal to 530 and 2000 g mol were chosen as soft segments.

Comparative analysis of C-heterochromatin, ribosomal and telomeric DNA markers in chromosomes of Pamphagidae grasshoppers from Morocco.

The karyotypes and the localization of C-bands, clusters of ribosomal DNA and telomeric repeats of 10 species of the family Pamphagidae from Morocco are described for the first time. The species studied belong to the subfamilies and . All species have karyotypes consisting of 19 and 20 acrocentric chromosomes and X0/XX sex chromosome system in males and females, respectively (2n♂=19, NF=19; 2n♀=20, NF=20).

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of subfamilial placement of Haplotropis Saussure, 1888 (Orthoptera: Pamphagidae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers.

The genus Haplotropis Sauss. is a relatively small genus in the family Pamphagidae (Orthoptera: Caelifera). Historically, there has been a discussion on the placement of this genus, whether it belongs in the subfamily Pamphaginae or in the subfamily Thrinchinae.

B Chromosomes in Grasshoppers: Different Origins and Pathways to the Modern B.

B chromosomes (B) were described in most taxa of eukaryotes and in around 11.9% of studied Orthopteran species. In some grasshopper species, their evolution has led to many B chromosome morphotypes.

Luminescence of Eu ions in hybrid polymer-inorganic composites based on poly(methyl methacrylate) and zirconia nanoparticles.

Spherical nanoparticles of ZrO with 2 and 10 mol% EuO up to 20 nm size were prepared by the method of hydrothermal synthesis for luminescent functionalization of the polymer-inorganic nanocomposites based on poly(methyl methacrylate). Surface modification of oxide nanoparticles was carried out by 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate, dimethoxymethylvinyl silane and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate to provide uniform distribution and to prevent agglomeration of nanosized filler in the polymer matrix. Polymer-inorganic composites were synthesized by in situ free radical polymerization in bulk.

[Glycemic variability and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus during combined glucose-lowering therapy].

Aim: To evaluate the impact of intensified glucose-lowering therapy on carbohydrate metabolic indicator, such as glycated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose level (BGL) (FBGL), postprandial BGL (PBGL), and glycemic variability (GV) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) during metformin monotherapy before and 3 months after therapy intensification.

Subjects And Methods: The investigation enrolled 51 patients with T2DM treated with metformin 1000 mg twice daily, who failed to achieve satisfactory glycemic control. During randomization, the treatment was intensified by addition of sitagliptin 100 mg/day in Group 1 (n=25) or gliclazide MB 60 mg/day in Group 2 (n=26).

New Insights into Phasmatodea Chromosomes.

Currently, approximately 3000 species of stick insects are known; however, chromosome numbers, which range between 21 and 88, are known for only a few of these insects. Also, centromere banding staining (C-banding) patterns were described for fewer than 10 species, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was applied exclusively in two species. Interestingly, 10-25% of stick insects (Phasmatodea) are obligatory or facultative parthenogenetic.

Origin and Evolution of the Neo-Sex Chromosomes in Pamphagidae Grasshoppers through Chromosome Fusion and Following Heteromorphization.

In most phylogenetic lineages, the evolution of sex chromosomes is accompanied by their heteromorphization and degradation of one of them. The neo-sex chromosomes are useful model for studying early stages of these processes. Recently two lineages of the neo-sex chromosomes on different stages of heteromorphization was discovered in Pamphagidae family.

Comparative analysis of chromosomal localization of ribosomal and telomeric DNA markers in three species of Pyrgomorphidae grasshoppers.

The karyotypes of three species of Pyrgomorphidae grasshoppers were studied: (Thunberg, 1815), (Burr, 1899) and (Mochulsky, 1866). Data on karyotypes of and are reported here for the first time. All species have karyotypes consisting of 19 acrocentric chromosomes in males and 20 acrocentric chromosomes in females (2n♂=19, NF=19; 2n♀=20, NF=20) and X0/XX sex determination system.

Structure of Composite Based on Polyheteroarylene Matrix and ZrO₂ Nanostars Investigated by Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping.

It is known that structure of the interface between inorganic nanoparticles and polymers significantly influences properties of a polymer⁻inorganic composite. At the same time, amount of experimental researches on the structure and properties of material near the inorganic-polymer interface is low. In this work, we report for the first time the investigation of nanomechanical properties and maps of adhesion of material near the inorganic-polymer interface for the polyheteroarylene nanocomposites based on semi-crystalline poly[4,4'-bis (4″-aminophenoxy)diphenyl]imide 1,3-bis (3',4-dicarboxyphenoxy) benzene, modified by ZrO₂ nanostars.

Molecular cytogenetic analysis reveals the existence of two independent neo-XY sex chromosome systems in Anatolian Pamphagidae grasshoppers.

Background: Neo-XY sex chromosome determination is a rare event in short horned grasshoppers, but it appears with unusual frequency in the Pamphagidae family. The neo-Y chromosomes found in several species appear to have undergone heterochromatinization and degradation, but this subject needs to be analyzed in other Pamphagidae species. We perform here karyotyping and molecular cytogenetic analyses in 12 Pamphagidae species from the center of biodiversity of this group in the previously-unstudied Anatolian plateau.