Effect of varying closes of organic and inorganic fertilizers on plankton production and fish biomass in brackish water fish ponds

The effects of four different doses of organic (cowdung) and inorganic fertilizers (single super phosphate: SSP) in combination were studied on plankton production, species diversity and fish biomass in saline and freshwater fish ponds. Physico-chemical factors of pond waters were also monitored. Alkalinity and nutrients increased with increase in the dose of fertilizers. Dissolved oxygen (DO) also remained sufficiently high up to the third treatment; however, levels declined significantly in the ponds receiving the fourth treatment (20 000 kg ha^-1 year^-1 of cowdung and 3000 kg ha^-1 year^-1 of SSP). The highest plankton population, species diversity and higher fish biomass was also observed in ponds which received the third dose of fertilizers (10 000 kg ha^-1 year^-1 of cowdung and 1500 kg ha^-1 year^-1 of SSP). However, a decline in these parameters was observed in ponds which received the highest (fourth treatment) dose of fertilizers. Nutrients remained slightly lower in brackish-water fish ponds. When species diversity values were compared, it was observed that, although values werte higher in freshwater ponds, their abundance (no. 1¹) remained lower than in brackish-water fish ponds. Similarly, fish biomass also remained significantly higher in brackish-water ponds than in freshwater ponds. From these studies, it can be concluded that a combination of 10 000 kg of cowdung + 1500 kg ha^-1 year^-1 of SSP appears to be the optimum dose.     

Fishing and trade of devil rays (Mobula spp.) in the Bay of Bengal,Bangladesh: Insights from fishers’ knowledge

1. Devil rays (Mobula spp.) are globally threatened cartilaginous fishes that have attracted global conservation concern owing to their high extinction risk and lack of protection in many countries. Limited resources and data on threatened marine species, including devil rays, impede conservation actions, particularly in developing countries, many of which have high biodiversity.
2. Devil ray catch is a component of artisanal fisheries in Bangladesh, but data on their fisheries and trade are limited. To characterize devil ray fishing practices, fishers’ perception and trade, 230 fishers and traders were interviewed between 4 June 2018 and 22 June 2019, in four areas of south-east Bangladesh. Catch data were also opportunistically collected at landing sites.
3. Six devil ray species were documented, caught in an array of gill nets, set-bag nets and longlines. All interviewed fishers reported life-long devil ray bycatch in some numbers, and also noted a decline in catch over the last decade. Bottom trawling, increased bycatch levels, increased demand for devil ray products and, in some cases, ecosystem changes were identified by fishers as threats to devil ray populations.
4. Unregulated and undocumented trade and retained bycatch, especially by gill nets and set-bag nets, are fuelled by local consumption of devil ray meat and international trade in meat and gill rakers. Compliance with international trade control treaties for all Mobula spp. or the Bangladeshi law protecting Mobula mobular was low, with the majority of fishers (87%, n = 174) unaware of their existence.
5. To manage devil ray fisheries, and prevent possible population declines, we propose a combination of legally enforced gear modifications, and catch and trade control through community-owned implementation strategies. Additionally, we propose the simultaneous implementation of inclusive, community-based awareness and stewardship projects in conjunction with a coast-wide ray monitoring programme. Finally, we emphasize that more research and action rooted in a sustainable fishery model is urgently needed to protect Bangladeshi devil ray populations.

     

Structural characteristics of corn starches extruded with soy protein isolate or wheat gluten

Commercially available corn starches containing 0, 25, 50 and 70% amylose were extruded with 10, 20 and 30% soy protein isolate (SPI) or wheat gluten (WG) at 22% moisture content (dry basis) in a C.W. Brabender single screw laboratory extruder using a 140°C barrel temperature and a 140 rpm screw speed. True, solid and bulk densities; percent total, closed and open pores; and shear strengths of the extrudates were determined. The microstructures of the extrudates were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The total pores of the extrudates were affected significantly (p < F=0.0001) by type of protein (SPI or WG) and starch amylose. The open or closed pores, were affected by protein type only. The interaction between amylose and protein contents was highly significant <(p < F=0.0001). In general, the total pores and bulk densities were higher for WG-starch extrudates compared to SPI-starch extrudates. These values decreased as amylose content increased from 0 to 25% and then increased thereafter. The open pores, on the other hand, increased with increasing protein content from 10 to 20% and then decreased. Extrudates containing WG had higher shear strengths than those containing SPI.     

Modeling analysis of potential carbon sequestration under existing agroforestry systems in three districts of Indo-gangetic plains in India

The Indo-gangetic plains (IGP) in India occupies 13 % of the total geographical area and produces 50 % of total food grain to feed 40 % population of the country. Dynamic CO2FIX model v3.1 has been used to assess the baseline (2011) carbon and to estimate the carbon sequestration potential (CSP) of agroforestry systems (AFS) for a simulation period of 30 years in three districts viz. Ludhiana (upper IGP in Punjab), Sultanpur (middle IGP in Uttar Pradesh) and Uttar Dinajpur (lower IGP in West Bengal) respectively. The estimated numbers of trees existing in farmer’s field on per hectare basis in these districts were 37.95, 6.14 and 6.20, respectively. The baseline standing biomass in the tree components varied from 2.45 to 2.88 Mg DM ha^?1 and the total biomass (tree + crop) from 11.14 to 25.97 Mg DM ha^?1 in the three districts. The soil organic carbon in the baseline ranged from 8.13 to 9.12 Mg C ha^?1 and is expected to increase from 8.63 to 24.51 Mg C ha^?1. The CSP of existing AFS (for 30 years simulation) has been estimated to the tune of 0.111, 0.126 and 0.551 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1 for Sultanpur, Dinajpur and Ludhiana districts, respectively. CSP of AFS increases with increasing tree density per hectare. Site specific climatic parameters like monthly temperature, annual precipitation and evapotranspiration also moderates the CSP of AFS. The preliminary estimates of the area under AFS’s were 2.06 % (3,256 ha), 2.08 % (6,440 ha) and 12.69 % (38,860 ha) in Sultanpur, Dinajpur and Ludhiana respectively.     

Bending rigidity of thermally bonded nonwoven structures

Bending rigidity is one of the most important parameters affecting the fabric drape characteristics. In this research work, classic Freeston and Platt model, describing the bending behaviour of nonwovens specifically for thermally bonded, has been modified by accounting for number of bonds replacing the number of fibres in a unit cell. These bonds are responsible for constraining the relative fiber motion in the nonwoven structure. The anisotropic characteristics of thermally bonded nonwovens are revealed by analysing the bending properties in various test directions. In general, there is a good agreement between the bending rigidity values obtained from modified Freeston and Platt model and experimental work. However, the classic Freeston and Platt model has overestimated the bending rigidity of thermally bonded nonwoven structures. Furthermore, the effect of main fiber parameters including volume fraction, modulus and orientation characteristics has been investigated on the bending rigidity of thermally bonded nonwovens.     

Marine antitumor drugs: status, shortfalls and strategies

Cancer is considered as one of the deadliest diseases in the medical field. Apart from the preventive therapies, it is important to find a curative measure which holds no loopholes and acts accurately and precisely to curb cancer. Over the past few decades, there have been advances in this field and there are many antitumor compounds available on the market, which are of natural as well as synthetic origin. Marine chemotherapy is well recognized nowadays and profound development has been achieved by researchers to deal with different molecular pathways of tumors. However, the marine environment has been less explored for the production of safe and novel antitumor compounds. The reason is a number of shortfalls in this field. Though ample reviews cover the importance and applications of various anticancerous compounds from marine natural products, in the present review, we have tried to bring the current status of antitumor research based on marine inhibitors of cancer signaling pathways. In addition, focus has been placed on the shortfalls and probable strategies in the arena of marine antitumor drug discovery.     

Reproductive and developmental toxicity evaluation of a purified Arabinogalactan-Protein (AGP) composition in Wistar rats

A purified Arabinogalactan-Protein composition (LL-4218) was prepared from the leaves of Argemone mexicana to treat psoriasis. The effect of (LL-4218) was evaluated on reproductive (male and female fertility) and developmental toxicity in rats. LL-4218 was administered orally at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg kg^− 1. The results showed that LL-4218 did not produce any significant dose related changes in reproductive and developmental toxicity studies. Therefore, it is concluded that LL-4218 did not produce any significant toxic effect on reproduction and developmental parameters of rats and NOAEL for reproductive and developmental toxicity studies in rats was 1000 mg kg^− 1.     

Influence of planting date on growth, artemisinin yield, seed and oil yield of Artemisia annua L. under temperate climatic conditions

Artemisia annua L. is an annual aromatic antibacterial herb, with effective antimalarial properties due to the presence of artemisinin. The intention of the present study was to establish plant survival, growth attributes, yield attributes and artemisinin yield of A. annua cv CIM - Arogya with different transplanting months in two cropping seasons (March 2005-February 2006 and March 2006-February 2007) under temperate climatic conditions of Himalaya, India. Artemisinin yield in the dried leaves was found maximum amongst the plants that were transplanted in March (24.39 kg ha⁻¹) and minimum in those transplanted in November (3.39 kg ha⁻¹).