Spatial patterning of fuels and fire hazard across a central U.S. deciduous forest region

Information describing spatial and temporal variability of forest fuel conditions is essential to assessing overall fire hazard and risk. Limited information exists describing spatial characteristics of fuels in the eastern deciduous forest region, particularly in dry oak-dominated regions that historically burned relatively frequently. From an extensive fuels survey of unmanaged forest lands (1,446 plots) we described fuel loadings and spatial patterns of fine and coarse fuels. We attempted to explain the variability in fuel loading of each time-lag fuel class using landscape and seasonal variables through a multiple regression modeling approach. Size class distributions of woody fuels were generally homogeneous across the region except in the glaciated portions of Illinois where loadings appeared lower. Temporally, litter depths progressively decreased from leaffall (November). A fire hazard model that combined seasonal changes in litter depth and fuel moisture content depicted the degree of regional spatial variability during the transition between extreme dry and wet conditions. In the future, fire hazard indices could be paired with ignition probabilities in order to assess spatio-temporal variability of fire risk within the region.     

Superior CMS (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ogura</Emphasis>) lines with better combining ability improve yield and maturity in cauliflower (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">botrytis</Emphasis>)

Three CMS lines, Ogu1A, Ogu2A and Ogu3A were selected among ten lines after BC₇ based on superior commercial, floral and seed setting traits. Introgression of sterile Ogura cytoplasm in cauliflower nuclear background reduced the flower size but did not affect commercial and seed setting traits drastically. Line × Tester analysis was done by taking these three CMS lines free from floral deformities as female parent with nine diverse lines of snowball cauliflower as tester. The parent Ogu2A exhibited highest GCA effect for curd yield (4.51) and harvest index (1.97) while Ogu1A exhibited highest GCA for earliness (−2.73). The parent, Ogu2A exhibited significant GCA for curd length (0.39) while, none of the CMS lines showed significant GCA for curd diameter and depth. Heterosis for curd yield was highest in the hybrid, Ogu2A × Kt-22 (63.5%) followed by Ogu1A × WF (36.9%) and Ogu1A × Kt-15 was the best hybrid for earliness followed by Ogu3A × Kt-22 with heterosis of −14.4% and −11.7%. However, the number of heterotic hybrids for yield and earliness was low indicating narrow genetic base of the snowball cauliflower.     

Deficient vasoactive intestinal peptide innervation in the sweat glands of cystic fibrosis patients

The innervation of acini and ducts of eccrine sweat glands by immunoreactive, vasoactive intestinal peptide-containing nerve fibers was sharply reduced in seven patients with cystic fibrosis compared to eight normal subjects. The decrease in innervation by this neuropeptide, which has been shown to promote blood flow and the movement of water and chloride across epithelial surfaces in other systems, may be a basic mechanism for the decreased water content and relative impermeability of the epithelium to chloride and other ions that characterize cystic fibrosis.     

Histopathological changes and tissue residue concentrations of monosex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus,L) fries exposed to oxytetracycline

Aquaculture International - The current study evaluated the biosafety of oxytetracycline (OTC) exposure for 30&nbsp;days in monosex Oreochromis niloticus fries. The fries were exposed to OTC...     

轮换种植对孟加拉国吉大港山区土壤中真菌和细菌群落的影响

在孟加拉国吉大港山区选择两块研究地,研究轮换种植对土壤中真菌和细菌群落的影响。两块研究地均包含轮换种植和本地社区管理的乡村森林,第一块研究地点选择在兰加马蒂地区,第二块研究地点选择在吉大港的班多尔班地区。在两个地点和不同用途的地块中,其表面土（0-10cm）和地表下土（10-20cm）的土壤质地不同,分别为砂壤和粘土。轮作地的土壤pH和含水量比乡村森林的低。研究结果表明：在兰加马蒂和班多尔班地区,大多数情况下,轮作地的表面土和地表下土壤中的真菌和细菌群落数量比乡村森林的低。在兰加马蒂和班多尔班地区的轮作地中,炭疽菌属（CoHetrotrichum）和镰孢菌属（Fusarium）真菌稀少,而两个地方的不同用途地块中均有细菌球菌属（Coccus）,芽孢杆菌属（Bacillus）和链球菌属（Streptococcus）。在两个地方的不同用途地块中常见的真菌有曲霉属（Aspergillus）、根霉属（Rhizopus）、木霉属（Trichoderma）和青霉菌属（Penicillium）。在其它的土壤区系中,由于轮换种植导致土壤环境退化的程度还需要进一步的研究。     

Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus budget in shrimp (Penaeus monodon) culture ponds in eastern India

Nutrient budget for shrimp (Penaeus monodon) culture was performed in ten culture ponds (0.4–1.0 ha) in Orissa, India, at stocking density of 10.0–22.10/m². The average initial body weight of shrimps was 0.02 g. The culture period was for 4 months. Feed was the main input of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and organic carbon (OC). The FCR varied from 1.35 to 1.75. At harvest time, the average weight of shrimps varied from 28 to 32 g. Total N, P and OC applied to these ponds through all the inputs ranged from 106.64 to 292.63, 23.17 to 57.55 kg and 763.10 to 1,831.20 kg per crop, respectively. Feed alone accounted for 94.43–95.03 % total N, 91.92–95.36 % total P and 80.33–92.48 % total OC, respectively. The harvest of shrimp accounted for recovery of 25.45–36.88 (av. 30.12) %, 10.07–12.94 (av. 11.16) % and 15.80–20.81 (av. 18.01) % of added N, P and OC, respectively. N, P and OC accumulated in sediment were 49.11, 64.07 and 64.82 %, respectively, of total nutrient retention in the culture system. Unaccounted N, P and OC were 13.29, 21.83 and 18.14 %, respectively, of the total nutrient retention in the system. N, P and OC outputs in the discharged water during harvest were 7.48, 2.94 and 2.03 %, respectively.     

INLAND AQUACULTURE IN INDIA: PAST TREND,PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

ABSTRACT

In India, inland aquaculture has emerged as a fast-growing enterprise and a viable alternative to the declining capture fisheries. The present paper is an attempt to assess Indian inland aquaculture with respect to its resource base, output trends, systems and activities, yield gaps, adoption and impact on aquaculturists, economics, returns to inputs, investment needs, and future prospects. The paper is largely based on existing literature and observations made as part of an ICAR-WorldFish demand supply project. Indian aquaculture is primarily limited to inland sector and carp-oriented; for that reason, this activity received special attention. Freshwater aquaculture observed tremendous growth in the past 15 years, but immense scope still exists for horizontal expansion and increases in productivity (vertical expansion). This is evidenced by the fact that the average farm fish yield is only one-third of that achieved in farm trials. The difference was mainly due to much higher input use in on-farm trials. Most of the aquaculturists were practicing extensive aquaculture, but aquaculturists with semi-intensive operations benefited most from adoption of technology. The benefit:cost ratios for different systems of aquaculture varied between 1.22 to 1.86. The return to capital was much higher than the return to labor, due to the low labor input. The semi-intensive aquaculture system would receive the greatest return from projected macrolevel investments, followed by extensive and intensive systems. Dedicated efforts are needed to meet the demand for quality fish seed and feed in order to achieve the desired 45% increase in area and greater than 50% increase in productivity. Based on the observations, activities designed to foster inland aquacultural development in India are recommended.     

THE FARMING PRACTICES AND ECONOMICS OF AQUACULTURE IN THAILAND

ABSTRACT

The paper reviews freshwater and coastal aquaculture practices in Thailand, and compares the productivity, costs, and benefits across various types of cultivation and various intensities of production. The paper is based on data that were collected in surveys conducted during 1998–2001 by the Department of Fisheries (DOF), Thailand and the WorldFish Center. More than 22% of Thailand's fish supply comes from aquaculture, with coastal aquaculture accounting for more than 88% of this in terms of value. Intensive culture of shrimp is the dominant form of coastal aquaculture, occupying 69% of the area under production. However, in some regions, the average net profit/kg of intensive shrimp culture is negative, and semi-intensive farming, with relatively lower fixed investment and operating costs, delivers the highest rate of return on investment. On the coast, grouper and sea bass are the most important cage-cultivated species, achieving an economic rate of return as high as 92%. In the same environment, culture of mollusks, such as green mussels, oysters, and blood cockles, is widespread. It can also be economically sustainable, with relatively low capital and operating costs. Although the relative share of freshwater aquaculture production is declining, the level of output has been increasing rapidly. While the average production from monoculture of carnivorous species is higher than that from polyculture, the average capital investment and operating costs associated with the former are also higher. The expansion of freshwater polyculture and of mollusk culture in coastal areas would greatly assist poor fish farmers.