Lipids and fatty acids in wild and pond-reared mud crab Scylla serrata (Forsskål) during ovarian maturation and spawning

Wild‐caught and pond‐reared female mud crab Scylla serrata at different stages of ovarian maturation were collected from Samar and Capiz, Philippines. Crabs were categorized into five stages according to the external morphological and microscopic appearance of the most advanced oocytes. The ovaries, hepatopancreas, muscle and newly spawned eggs (NSE) were analysed for lipid class components and fatty acids. Total lipid was higher in pond‐reared than in wild‐caught crabs but increased with ovarian maturation in both groups. Ovarian lipid peaked at the fully mature stage, coinciding with a decline in hepatopancreatic and muscle lipids. Lipid levels declined significantly in spent females. The tissues contained elevated highly unsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic (20:4n‐6), eicosapentaenoic (20:5n‐3) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n‐3) acids, but at higher levels in late maturing and fully mature ovaries and in NSE. The type of lipid class and fatty acid components in mature ovaries as well as in NSE are generally considered to be indicative of their importance in reproductive physiology and embryonic and larval development.     

Off-axis tensile properties of multistitched plain woven E-glass/polyester composites

The aim of this study was to understand the ±45 ° directional off-axis tensile properties of the developed two dimensional (2D) multistitched multilayer E-glass/polyester woven composites. It was found that the off-axis tensile strength of the unstitched structure was slightly higher than those of the multistitched structures. The reason was that the multistitching process caused the filament breakages. It was also found that when the stitching direction and stitching density in structures increased, their off-axis tensile modulus decreased. Therefore, stitching directions, stitching density and stitching yarn on the composite structures were considered as important parameters. All structures under the off-axis tensile load had normal deformation, or angular deformation or shrinkage in width. In addition, both the normal deformation and the shrinkages in width occurred in most of the two and four directional stitched structures. On the other hand, four directional Kevlar^® 129 yarn dense stitched E-glass/polyester structure showed only shrinkage in width after angular deformation. This could be considered as a new failure mode because of the multistitching. These results indicated that the stitching directions and density generally influenced the off-axis tensile properties of the multistitched E-glass/polyester woven composites.     

Susceptibility of West African Dwarf goats and WAD x Saanen crosses to experimental infection with Trypanosoma congolense

West African Dwarf goats (WADs) and their Saanen crosses were experimentally infected with Trypanosoma congolense. No significant differences were found between trypanosome parasitaemia and antibody response of the crossbred and WAD goats. Neither the WAD goats nor the Saanen crosses were able to control the drop in PCV following trypanosome infection. The level of anaemia caused by the trypanosome infection was similar in the two breeds during the trial. Based on these findings, no difference in tolerance or susceptibility to T. congolense could be demonstrated between the WAD goats and their Saanen crosses. Although the weight of all goats increased during the trial, the crosses gained significantly more weight than the WAD goats. The trypanosome infection reduced the growth rate of both breeds, but this reduction was not statistically significant. Crossbreeding trypanotolerant WADs with trypanosusceptible Saanen goats might, therefore, be an effective means of increasing productivity.     

Contrasted optimal environmental windows for both sardinella species in Senegalese waters

We investigate Sardinella aurita and Sardinella maderensis recruitment success relative to the variability of oceanographic conditions in Senegalese waters using generalized additive models (GAM). Results show that recruitment of both species is marked by a strong intra‐annual (seasonal) variation with minimum and maximum in winter and summer, respectively. Their interannual variations are synchronous until 2006 (recruitment decreasing), while from 2007 there is no synchrony. The model developed shows that sardinella recruitment variability is closely related to the tested environmental variables in the study area. However, the key environmental variables influencing the recruitment success are different for both species: the Coastal Upwelling Index and the sea surface temperature for S. aurita and S. maderensis, respectively. We report that recruitment success of S. aurita and S. maderensis are associated with distinct ranges of sea surface temperature, upwelling intensity, wind‐induced turbulence, concentration of chlorophyll‐a and north Atlantic oscillation index. Considering food security and socio‐economic importance of both stocks, we recommend that consideration is given to the environmental variability in the small pelagic fish national management plans, particularly in the context of climate change.     

Effects of alkali pre-treatment on dye exhaustion, color values, color fastness, tensile and surface properties of lyocell yarns

The effects of alkali (aqueous NaOH and KOH solutions) pre-treatment on dye exhaustion, color values, color fastness, tensile and surface properties of lyocell yarns were investigated. Dye exhaustion and color yield of lyocell yarns increased by increasing alkali concentrations. The lyocell yarns showed weight loss due to the decrease in carboxyl groups during alkali pre-treatment. The tensile strengths of lyocell yarns decreased with the increase of alkali concentrations because of the decrement of yarn diameter by weight loss the open twist spirals, and the increased volume of lyocell yarns after alkali pre-treatment. The washing and perspiration fastness results of untreated lyocell yarns were better than alkali pre-treated lyocell yarns, while the light fastness results of untreated and alkali pre-treated samples were similar.     

Equine trypanosomosis in the Central River Division of The Gambia: a study of veterinary gate-clinic consultation records

The objective of this study was to provide epidemiological information of equine trypanosomosis in the Central River Division (CRD) of The Gambia. Therefore, 2285 consultations records of equines, admitted in a gate-clinic at Sololo in CRD, were studied retrospectively. The data were recorded in the period between September 1995 and July 2002 and comprised consultations of 2113 horses and 172 donkeys.

‘Trypanosome infection’ was the most frequently diagnosed condition and accounted for 61% of the cases. Horses were more frequently diagnosed with trypanosome infections than donkeys (p < 0.001), with an occurrence of 63% compared to 43% in donkeys. In both horses and donkeys, trypanosome infections were mainly due to Trypanosoma congolense (64%) and T. vivax (32%). There was no difference observed in the occurrence of trypanosome infections in male or female donkeys (p = 0.585), but there were more female (67.8%) horses observed with trypanosome infections than male horses (60.7%; p = 0.003). There was no difference observed in the occurrence of trypanosome infections in donkeys older or younger than 1 year (p = 0.130), but more older horses (63.2% >1 year) were observed with trypanosome infections than young horses (54.5% <1 year; p = 0.033).

The number of donkeys and horses with trypanosome infections decreased during the rainy season (June–September).

The majority of equines that were admitted with trypanosome infections were severely anaemic. The average packed cell volume (PCV) declined with increasing parasitaemia (p = 0.006).

Seventy-four percent of the farmers’ predictions of trypanosome infections in their equines were confirmed by darkground-microscopy. That proved that farmers had a fairly accurate knowledge of the diseases affecting their equines.

The treatments executed at the gate-clinic were generally effective. The few (0.4%) relapses of the T. vivax infections that were previously treated with diminazene aceturate in this study were not sufficient to prove drug resistance.

The study showed that the analysis of consultation records at a gate-clinic can provide complementary information to conventional epidemiological studies in the same research area.     

Increasing biodiversity of irrigated rice in Africa by interspecific crossing of Oryza glaberrima (Steud.) × O. sativa indica (L.)

The African rice Oryza glaberrima, traditionally cultivated since more than 3.500 years, is of poor agronomic performance but resistant/tolerant to various stresses and diseases. The introduction of these characters into O. sativa cultivars is difficult since crossing barriers cause spikelet sterility in F1. Backcrossing can restore fertility and recently facilitated the development of fertile O. glaberrima × O. sativa ssp. japonica hybrid progenies for rain fed systems. With the objective to gain access to African rice germplasm for improvement of irrigated rice, crosses were performed with eighteen O. glaberrima and twenty O. sativa ssp. indica accessions. In total about one hundred F1-hybrid grains were obtained. The F1 plants were all completely sterile and backcrossing (BC) to O. sativa was performed in order to restore spikelet fertility. Monitoring of Tog5681 × IR64 hybrid progenies under field conditions revealed a broad genetic diversity within the BC₁ and BC₂ populations. Some BC₁ and BC₂ progeny plants outperformed the O. sativa parent, indicating that the heterozygocity level and complementary gene action after two backcrosses are still sufficient to positively influence plant vigor. Spikelet fertility of progenies was highly variable, but almost complete fertility was already observed within the BC₁F₂ population. High spikelet fertility was preserved in one out of two analyzed BC₁F₃ families and inmost of the BC₂F₃ families. The ability to restore spikelet fertility within few generations and the potential of the genetic diversity present in interspecific progenies facilitates the development of plant types specifically designed for the African irrigated and lowland environment. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Do Sardinella aurita spawning seasons match local retention patterns in the Senegalese–Mauritanian upwelling region?

Sardinella aurita is the most abundant small pelagic fish in the Senegalese–Mauritanian region. The success of its reproduction crucially depends on the local circulation as this determines whether larvae reach coastal nursery areas favorable to their survival or are dispersed into the open ocean. As a first step towards evaluating sardinella vulnerability to climate‐driven hydrodynamical changes, this study aims at underpinning how transport pathways drive optimal spatial and seasonal patterns for sardinella reproduction. We have used two estimates of the Senegalese–Mauritanian coastal seasonal circulation simulated by two hydrodynamical model configurations that differ in their forcing and topography. Nursery areas are determined by evaluating coastal retention with a Lagrangian individual‐based model that accounts for processes such as diel vertical migration and mortality as a result of lethal temperature exposure. Our results suggest that the shelf zones located at the Arguin Bank (19.5°N–21°N) and south of Senegal (12°N–14.75°N) are highly retentive. We find maximum retention rates in July–August and November–December over the Arguin Bank; from February–July and November–December over the southern Senegalese shelf; and lower retention rates over the central region (14.75°N–19.5°N) that are locally maximum in June–July when the upwelling weakens. These retention areas and their seasonality are in agreement with previously reported spawning patterns, suggesting that the Sardinella aurita spawning strategy may result from a trade‐off between retention patterns associated with the seasonal circulation and food availability. Exposure to lethal temperatures, although not well studied, could be a further limiting factor for spawning. The Lagrangian analysis reveals important connectivity between sub‐regions within and south of the system and hence underlines the importance for joint management of the Sardinella aurita stock.     

Health and productivity of traditionally managed Djallonke sheep and West African dwarf goats under high and moderate trypanosomosis risk.

Trypanosome infections, packed red cell volume levels (PCV), body weight and nematode faecal egg counts of village-based small ruminants were monitored in two areas in The Gambia with either moderate or high trypanosomosis risk for 24 and 30 months respectively. Outflows from the flock and new-born animals were recorded and data on housing and management were compiled. Reported mortality rates were higher in goats than in sheep, but for both species highest in the moderate risk area. The peak of trypanosome infections lagged the peak of tsetse densities by 1-3 months in both areas. Trypanosoma vivax was the predominant species found in the infected animals, followed by T. congolense. Trypanosome prevalence was, in general, higher in sheep than in goats but only significantly higher during Year 1 in the moderate risk area. Trypanosome infection reduced the PCV level significantly and seasonal effects indicated significantly lower PCV levels during the rains. Trypanosome infection significantly depressed weight gain in both species at periods where infection rates were highest. In both species considerably lower weight gains were observed during the rainy season. Abortion rates were higher in goats than in sheep in both study sites, and highest in the high-risk site. Trypanosome infection in ewes in the high risk area increased lamb mortality significantly but had no effect on birth weights, nor on growth rates up to 4 months. Offspring mortality up to 4 months was generally high at both sites. Trypanosome infection in the dam between 3.5 to 7 months post parturition significantly increased parturition interval in both species. Peak faecal egg output occurred at the end of the rainy season and was highest for both species in the moderate risk site. Poor grazing management was found responsible for a seasonal nutritional constraint. Based on these results, these breeds of sheep and goats can be considered as trypanotolerant since they are able to remain productive under high and moderate levels of trypanosome challenge. Nevertheless, trypanosomosis affected their health and production level as shown by reduced PCV levels, depressed weight gains, longer parturition intervals and higher lamb mortality. In addition, during the rains, helminth infections and poor management leading to nutritional constraints had also a negative impact on health and production and therefore influenced the innate resilience to trypanosomosis in those indigenous breeds. Adaptations in management may have an equal impact as certain disease control measures to improve biological and economical returns from small ruminants in tsetse infested rural areas.     

Warp and weft directional tensile properties of multistitched woven fabric E-glass/polyester nano composites

The aim of this study was to understand the warp and weft directional tensile properties of the developed two dimensional (2D) multistitched multilayer E-glass/polyester woven nano composites. It was found that the warp and weft directional specific tensile strength and modulus of unstitched structure were higher than those of the machine stitched and machine stitched/nano structures due to stitching caused filament breakages. When the nano silica material in the unstitched E-glass/polyester composite structure increased, the warp and weft directional specific tensile strength and the modulus of the unstitched/nano structures increased. The failure of warp and weft directional 2D unstitched and unstitched/nano woven E-glass/polyester composite structures had a complete delamination in their cross-sections. But, the failure of warp and weft directional 2D stitched and stitched/nano woven E-glass/polyester composite structures had a local delamination in their cross-sections and the failure was confined at a narrow area. The warp and weft directional specific damaged areas of unstitched structure were higher than those of the stitched and stitched/nano structures. Also, the warp and weft directional specific damaged areas of machine stitched structure were slightly higher than those of the machine stitched/nano structure. It could be concluded that the addition of nano silica to the stitched structures improved to their damage resistance.