Technical efficiency of carp production in Nepal: An application of stochastic frontier production function approach*

Abstract

Modern aquaculture is a relatively new activity among Nepalese farmers and a small contributor to the economy. Given the abundance of water resources and fish species, rising demand for fish, and its high profitability, aquaculture has potential for future expansion if it is given appropriate attention from the government. In Nepal, productivity in aquaculture is much lower compared to other countries in the region, which suggests that there is potential for increased fish production through technological progress and improvement in farm‐level technical efficiency. However, no formal analysis has yet been conducted to assess the productive performance of Nepalese aquaculture and its potential for future improvement. Against this background, this paper examines the technical efficiency and its determinants for a sample of fish pond farms from the Tarai region of the country using a stochastic production frontier involving a model for technical inefficiency effects. The estimated mean technical efficiency is 77%, with intensive farms being more efficient than extensive farms. The adoption of regular fish, water, and feed management activities has a strong positive effect on technical efficiency.     

A review of production frontier analysis for aquaculture management

Abstract

This paper examines recent advances in production economics with special reference to efficiency measurement using production frontiers and its implications for aquaculture management. Compared with agriculture and other industries, the use of production frontiers in aquaculture is still very limited. However, in recent years several frontier applications in aquaculture have appeared in the literature, suggesting potential applications of these techniques in aquaculture. A synopsis of stochastic frontier production function model and data envelopment analysis (DEA), the two most popular approaches to efficiency measurement, is presented, followed by a review of recent frontier studies in shrimp, carp and tilapia production. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of future development and prospects of frontier applications for aquaculture management.     

Rapid testing methods for food contaminants and toxicants

Food safety is one of the major concerns in every country regardless of the economic and social development. The frequent occurrence of food scandals in the world has led the Chinese government to implement several strategies to fortify the food supply system to a high food safety standard. This relies heavily on laboratory testing services but conventional methods for detection of food contaminants and toxicants are limited by sophisticated sample preparation procedures,long analysis time,large instruments and professional personnel to meet the increasing demands. In this review,we have incorporated most of the current and potential rapid detection methods for many notorious food contaminants and toxicants including microbial agents,toxic ions,pesticides,veterinary drugs and preservatives,as well as detection of genetically modified food genes and adulterated edible oil. Development of rapid,accurate,easy-to-use and affordable testing methods could urge food handlers and the public to actively screen for food contaminants and toxicants instead of passively relying on monitoring by the government examination facility. This review also provides several recommendations including how to encourage the public to engage in the food safety management system and provide optimal education and financial assistance that may improve the current Chinese food safety control system.     

台风“利奇马”暴雨引发的土壤侵蚀调查研究——以山东省临朐县为例

[目的]实地调查极端降雨事件下的土壤侵蚀特征,探寻水土流失治理中存在的问题,为人类应对极端天气灾害提供科学依据。[方法]以受2019年8月9号台风"利奇马"暴雨影响较大的山东省临朐县为调查区域,采用资料分析与野外调查相结合的方法,分析曾家沟、耿家沟典型小流域的坡面侵蚀、道路侵蚀及弥河上游各级河道的冲淤情况。[结果]"利奇马"台风过境期间,暴雨中心的雨量站降雨量达到50 a一遇标准;林草地、撂荒地基本无细沟侵蚀发生,坡耕地细沟侵蚀模数为4 560～19 500 t/km~2,梯田田面上细沟集中于承接上方汇水的位置;受植被保护或石坎梯田的田坎完好,而其他类型田坎滑塌严重。调查样地滑塌侵蚀模数301～36 321 t/km~2,田坎滑塌最为严重;河岸尤其是弯顶处冲刷严重,河道回流区、两河交汇处、拦河坝以及桥梁上游等淤积量较大。[结论]小流域的水土保持措施可减少暴雨造成的土壤侵蚀量。建议针对不同部位和利用类型的土地设计修建适宜的蓄排水和保土措施,并加强对农民的水土保持型农艺培训,提升极端暴雨下的水土流失防灾减灾能力。     

Characterization of antioxidants present in bitter tea (Ligustrum pedunculare)

The present study examined the antioxidants present in bitter tea (Ligustrum pedunculare). It was found that the crude glycoside fraction strongly protected human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from oxidation. Further column chromatography led to purification of eight phenylethanoid or monoterpene glycosides: lipedoside A-I, lipedoside A-II, lipedoside B-I, lipedoside B-III, lipedoside B-V, lipedoside B-VI, osmanthuside B, and anatolioside. It was found that lipedoside A-I, lipedoside A-II, lipedoside B-V, and lipedoside B-VI were protective, whereas the other four compounds did not protect human LDL from Cu(2+)-medicated oxidation. Lipedoside A-I, lipedoside A-II, lipedoside B-V, and lipedoside B-VI also had a scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH), comparable to that of alpha-tocopherol. The inhibitory effect of these four phenylethanoid or monoterpene glycosides on oxidation of human LDL and alpha-tocopherol was dose-dependent at concentrations of 5-40 microM. The present results demonstrate that bitter tea as a beverage contains effective antioxidants that may have benefits similar to those of green tea in terms of antioxidant activity.     

1株产洛伐他汀红曲菌的筛选和鉴定

为筛选产洛伐他汀菌株,从不同来源的12个红曲米样品中,分离得到56株菌。通过薄层层析法初筛,HPLC复筛,得到5株产洛伐他汀菌株。对其中1株洛伐他汀产量最高的菌株MPT13(0.263 mg/mL)进行个体形态、菌落特征和分子生物学方法鉴定,并与GenBank中已有的有关序列进行比较及系统发育分析,结果鉴定菌株MPT13为紫色红曲霉(Monascus purpure)。