Enhancement of growth and feed utilization of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed supplementary dietary salt in freshwater

The effects of increased dietary sodium chloride supplement on growth, feed efficiency (FE), feed dispensed rate and fillet composition and morphological indices of European sea bass (initial weight of 4.9 g) were investigated in freshwater using five different levels of supplemental salt (0 (control diet, with no salt supplemented), 1%, 3%, 5% and 9% of diet). Over the experimental period of 50 days, the final weight of dietary salt (DS) groups was found to be approximately 19% higher than the control group. The final weight, specific growth rate and FE were greatest at the moderate level (1–5%) of salt supplementation. Optimum level of DS inclusion was calculated as 3%. Feed efficiency was significantly enhanced with increasing salt level up to 5%. A negative relationship between daily feed intake and FE (r²=0.66) was observed. The average muscle ratio (MR) in groups fed 1–5% supplemented salt was around 51.4% whereas fish receiving control and 9% salty diets had 5.3% lower MR (48.7%) (P<0.05). However, no significant effects of salt inclusion were found on viscera or hepatosomatic indices. Muscle ash and dry matter content slightly rose with increasing DS in the diet, but with no statistical difference (P>0.05). Similarly, no significant changes were observed in either muscle protein or lipid content among the groups (P>0.05).     

Effects of water-soluble and fat-soluble choline sources on the performances of juvenile kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus Bate

The present study was undertaken to clarify the effect and interaction of choline chloride (CC) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), the water‐ and fat‐soluble sources of choline, on the performances of kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus juveniles using as response variables such as percent weight gain (%WG), specific growth rate (SGR), survival (SR%), feed efficiency ratio (FER), protein efficiency ratio (PER), proximate composition, fatty acids profile and free choline and PC contents in the whole body of kuruma shrimp. A 40‐day feeding trial was conducted as a 2 × 3 factorial experiment with six test diets containing three levels of CC (0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 g kg^?1) and two levels of soybean PC (SPC; 2 and 4 g kg^?1). Both of the choline sources (CC and SPC) showed a significant interaction (P<0.05) regarding all the evaluated response variables except for the proximate and fatty acid contents. Interestingly, there was a positive effect (P<0.05) of CC observed with increasing its level at the low level of SPC and vice versa. However, the magnitudes of the beneficial effect of CC in terms of the evaluated parameters were changed with the different dietary levels of SPC. Also, the inclusion of higher levels of SPC (4 g kg^?1) or CC (0.6 and 1.2 g kg^?1) diminished the effect of the other source.     

Site suitability assessment and mapping for rice cultivation using multi-criteria decision analysis based on fuzzy-AHP and TOPSIS approaches under semihumid ecological condition in delta plain

Paddy and Water Environment - Many areas in Turkey are ecologically suitable for paddy cultivation, and their yield per hectare is above the world average. Despite this fact, the amount of...     

Histology of some major immune system organs in Lake Van fish Alburnus tarichi (Güldenstädt, 1814) (Cyprinidae)

The teleostean immune system is variable between and within taxa in terms of morphology. Accordingly, in the current study, the histology of some immune organs (thymus, kidney and spleen) of Lake Van fish (Alburnus tarichi) was investigated. For this purpose, the tissues from eight mature fish were fixed and embedded in paraffin wax, and then the sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Mallory’s triple, periodic acid-Schiff and Alcian blue (pH of 2.5) for histologic examinations. In the thymus, no clear discrimination of the cortex and medulla was observed. Lymphoid cells within a reticulo-epithelial network were the predominant cell type in the thymus. The other components in the thymus were macrophages and myoid, mast-like, plasma-like, cystic cells, Hassall’s corpuscles, and single or multiple epithelial cystic structures. In the kidney, the head kidney, a major haematopoietic site, consisted of lymphoid and non-lymphoid zones within a reticular network. Cells exhibiting mitotic figures were also detected in the haematopoietic tissue of the head kidney. Haematopoietic tissue was also found in the trunk kidney dispersed amongst the excretory components. The spleen was composed of red and white pulp. The red pulp comprised abundant erythrocytes, whilst the white pulp contained leucocytes with a reticular network. Ellipsoids were also determined in the white pulp. Melanomacrophage centres were found in all of the examined lymphoid tissues of the fish. These findings, which were reported, herein, for the first time will provide reference knowledge for future studies of this anadromous fish.     

Sorption of Anionic Surfactants SDS,AOT and Cationic Surfactant Hyamine 1622 on Natural Soils

Sorption of anionic surfactants Aerosol-OT (AOT) and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS), as well as cationic surfactant Hyamine1622 on two soil surfaces were investigated. Batch equilibriumtechniques were used under laboratory conditions to observe the amount of surfactant adsorbed and desorbed to and from thesoil surfaces. Data obtained were fitted to two sorption isotherms in order to characterise the sorption process. The nature of the sorbate (i.e. the surfactant) was found to be important in the sorption process. Anionics adsorbed via hydrophobic bonding, whereas `cation-exchange' mechanism was dominant in the sorption of cationic Hyamine 1622. Anionic AOT,with a double chain, and hence a higher critical packing parameter, adsorbed more strongly onto the surface compared tothe singly-chained SDS.     

An analysis of trade-offs in food production costs and soil conservation by an interregional programming and multigoal model

This analysis measures trade-offs between soil loss and food production costs. It is made by means of multigoal interregional programming model. The trade-off curve is derived by means of the prior weighing technique. The results indicate that soil loss from agricultural land can be decreased considerably with very little increase in costs and decrease in efficiency in food production. However, the trade-off curve has a ‘corner’ in it, and further reductions in soil loss give rise to sharp increases in food production costs. As higher costs are assigned soil loss, important shifts take place in the interregional patterns of crop production and land use. Also, further decreases in soil loss and increases in food production costs raise food prices for consumers.     

Morphometric Study of the Intraorbital Muscles (Musculi bulbi) in New Zealand Rabbit

Eight female New Zealand rabbits were used. The bulbus oculi was removed bilaterally from orbita then intraorbital muscles were revealed by dissection and their length and breadth and the distance of the muscle insertion to the corneal limbus were measured. Junction formations of the insertion tendon of intraorbital muscle to the sclera were identified.