Morphometric and developmental consequences in Spodoptera litura due to feeding on three varieties of sweet potato plants (Ipomoea batata)

The tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a polyphagous pest defoliating sweet potato, Ipomoea batata (Lam) (Convolvulaceae), throughout Asia. The study of morphometric parameters of S. litura as a result of feeding on three varieties (RNSP1, KIRAN and RNSP3) of host plant revealed that a greater number of egg masses were laid on the KIRAN variety than on the others. I. batata varieties showed statistically significant effects on length, breadth and weight of different larval instars. KIRAN-fed larvae molted to bigger-sized pupae. S. litura larvae reared on KIRAN variety had the highest feeding index as well as growth index. The low concentrations of phenols and carbohydrates coupled with elevated levels of proteins and amino acids were found in KIRAN as compared with RNSP1 and RNSP3. Collectively, the results of this study revealed that KIRAN cultivar was the most suitable food plant for the development of S. litura. Concurrently, it is suggested that this cultivar is therefore least suitable for sweet potato cultivation.     

Innovative Technology of COD and BOD Reduction from Coffee Processing Wastewater Using Avocado Seed Carbon (ASC)

The study estimated the efficiency of Avocado seed carbon (ASC) for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) reduction from coffee processing wastewater. It was performed under batch mode conditions to investigate the optimum operating conditions and efficiency for COD and BOD reduction with ASC compared with commercial activated carbon (CAC). Adsorption isotherm study was also performed and it was found that the values of regression coefficient (r ²), adsorption capacity (k), and adsorption intensity (1/n) for COD and BOD reduction with ASC were comparable to those of CAC. Under optimum operating conditions, the maximum percentage reduction of COD and BOD concentration using ASC was 98.28% and 99.19%, respectively and with CAC was 99.12% and 99.45%, respectively and hence adsorption capacity of ASC is comparable with that of CAC. Thus, this technique may be a good option for treatment of domestic wastewater.     

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Reduction in Domestic Wastewater by Fly Ash and Brick Kiln Ash

The potential of fly ash, brick kiln ash and commercial activated carbon is determined for the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from domestic wastewater. Laboratory experiments are conducted for investigating the effect of treatment time, adsorbent dose, pH of the media, initial COD concentration, agitation speed and particle size of adsorbents on the COD reduction from the domestic wastewater. Starting with an initial COD concentration of 1080 mg/l the maximum COD reduction achieved for fly ash was 87.84%, brick kiln ash was 83.22% and commercial activated carbon was 99.35 %. These values were achieved when the wastewater was treated with activated carbon for 180 min, fly ash 250 min and brick kiln ash 300 min and the adsorbent dose was kept respectively at 40 g/l, 60 g/l and 45 g/l for activated carbon, fly ash and brick kiln ash. Agitation speed was kept constant at 600 rpm and the pH was maintained at 2 for activated carbon and fly ash and 5 for brick kiln ash. The maximum percent reduction is for 0.053 mm or smaller size of the particles. Though the adsorption capacity of the ash for reducing the COD is lower than that of the commercial activated carbon, the low material cost can make it an attractive option for the treatment of domestic wastewater.     

Evaluation of acute toxicity of phenol and its chloro- and nitro-derivatives to certain teleosts

Acute toxicity bioassays were conducted to evaluate the comparative toxicity of phenol (an aromatic hydrocarbon) pentachlorophenol (chloro-derivative of phenol) and dinitrophenol (nitro-derivative of phenol) for determining the LC50 and acute toxicity range for 24, 48, 72 and 96h, against the test fishes Notopterus notopterus, Colisa fasciatus and Saccobranchus fossilis. Relative susceptibility of fish, safe concentrations, heterogeneity factors and fiducial limits (95 %) were calculated using 96 h LC₅₀ values. Regression equations and slope functions (s) were calculated for each time interval. On the basis of relative susceptibility for phenol, Notopterus notopterus was found to be more susceptible as compared to Saccobranchus fossilis and the susceptibility of Colisa fasciatus lies in between the two. In case of pentachlorophenol and dinitrophenol, susceptibility lies in the increasing order from Colisa fasciatus, Saccobranchus fossilis to Notopterus notopterus.     

Feline urate urolithiasis: a retrospective study of 159 cases

The objective of the study was to characterize the signalment, clinicopathologic data, and diagnostic imaging of cats with urate urolithiasis, as well as the salts of uric acid present in the uroliths. A retrospective analysis of feline urate uroliths submitted to the GV Ling Urinary Stone Analysis Laboratory between 2000 and 2008 was included. From these data, records were assimilated from referring veterinarians (143); furthermore, all recorded cases from within the William R Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (16) were included. Median values for the complete blood count and chemistry panels available were within the reference intervals, when provided, with only a few outliers present. Of all cases evaluated, seven had a portosystemic shunt (PSS). Cats with urate uroliths and a PSS were younger than cats without a PSS (2 years vs 7 years). The pathogenesis of urate uroliths in cats is poorly understood. Most cats were not completely evaluated for a PSS, however, clinicopathologic parameters indicating hepatic dysfunction were seldom noted; more sensitive diagnostics such as serum bile acids were rarely performed to confirm or negate the presence of a shunt. Studies are warranted to evaluate pathogenesis of urate uroliths to tailor proper management and breeding strategies.     

Symbiont recognition and subsequent morphogenesis as early events in an animal-bacterial mutualism

Bacterial colonization of the developing light organ of the squid Euprymna scolopes is shown to be highly specific, with the establishment of a successful association resulting only when the juvenile host is exposed to seawater containing one of a subset of Vibrio fischeri strains. Before a symbiotic infection the organ has elaborate epithelial structures covered with cilia and microvilli that are involved in the transfer of bacteria to the incipient symbiotic tissue. These structures regressed within days following infection; however, they were retained in uninfected animals, suggesting that the initiation of symbiosis influences, and is perhaps a prerequisite for, the normal developmental program of the juvenile host.     

Nursery rearing of the Asian catfish, Clarias macrocephalus (Günther), at different stocking densities in cages suspended in tanks and ponds

Growth and survival of hatchery‐bred Asian catfish, Clarias macrocephalus (Günther), fry reared at different stocking densities in net cages suspended in tanks and ponds were measured. The stocking densities used were 285, 571 and 1143 fry m^?3 in tanks and 114, 228 and 457 fry m^?3 in ponds. Fish were fed a formulated diet throughout the 28‐day rearing period. Generally, fish reared in cages in ponds grew faster, with a specific growth rate (SGR) range of 10.3–14.6% day^?1, than those in cages suspended in tanks (SGR range 9–11.3% day^?1). This could be attributed to the presence of natural zooplankton (copepods and cladocerans) in the pond throughout the culture period, which served as additional food sources for catfish juveniles. In both scenarios, the fish reared at lower densities had significantly higher SGR than fish reared at higher densities. In the pond, the SGR of fish held at 228 and 457 m^?3 were similar to each other but were significantly lower than those of fish held at 114 m^?3. The zooplankton in ponds consisted mostly of copepods and cladocerans, in contrast to tanks, in which rotifers were more predominant. Per cent survival ranged from 85% to 89% in tanks and from 78% to 87% in ponds and did not differ significantly among stocking densities and between rearing systems. In conclusion, catfish nursery in cages suspended in tanks and ponds is density dependent. Catfish fry reared at 285 m^?3 in tanks and at 114 m^?3 in ponds had significantly faster growth rates than fish reared at higher densities. However, the desired fingerling size of 3–4 cm total length for stocking in grow‐out culture can still be attained at stocking densities of 457 m^?3 in nursery pond and 571 m^?3 in tanks.