Studies on the age and growth of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) with an exploitation pattern from the Ganga River system, Uttar Pradesh (India)

Samples were collected to study the age and growth of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) from the river Ghaghra (Guptarghat centre, Faizabad). The scales of L. calbasu have been used for age and growth studies in present paper. Study of the marginal rings on the scales of L. calbasu indicates their annual nature. The fish attained growth in 1st 18.7 cm, 2nd 27.8 cm, 3rd 35.7 cm, 4th 41.8 cm, 5th 46.9 cm, 6th 54.9 cm and 7th 57.4 cm years of the life. The growth rate was observed 18.7, 9.1, 7.9, 6.7, 5.1, 8.0 and 2.5 cm for 1st to 7th age classes respectively. The age groups 1+ to 4+ constituted 91.17% of the total exploited population and 8.83% of remaining age groups (5+ to 7+). The maximum exploited population was observed in 2+ age group with 33.68%. Overall exploitation pattern was systematic and a good indicator for heavy recruitment

Information systems project failure – analysis of causal links using interpretive structural modelling

YesThe analysis of the root causes of information systems project failure has been the subject of intense scrutiny for some time within industry and the academic community. Researchers have developed various models, notions of failure and categorisations to succinctly classify project failure into a set of key factors for organisations and project managers to focus on in their attempts to avoid failure. This study incorporates a technique titled: interpretive structural modelling as the methodology to formalise the relationships between the selected failure factors. This approach is positioned as a mechanism that can yield greater insights into the relationships between the factors surrounding project failure, thereby developing a better understanding of how these relationships can have a bearing on project outcomes. The findings identify key driving variables that are presented as having significant impact on the other factors within the model. A number of variables are also identified as being heavily dependent on other connected factors highlighting that a failure in one or more of these connected factors is likely to result in a failure in one or more of the dependent factors unless timely steps are taken to address these key issues. This research details a number of practical implications for senior management and project managers as well as the academic community. These considerations form an underlying thread within this study as specific practice-related implications are highlighted and discussed throughout the study

Elimination of visceral leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent: a comparison of predictions from three transmission models.

We present three transmission models of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Indian subcontinent (ISC) with structural differences regarding the disease stage that provides the main contribution to transmission, including models with a prominent role of asymptomatic infection, and fit them to recent case data from 8 endemic districts in Bihar, India. Following a geographical cross-validation of the models, we compare their predictions for achieving the WHO VL elimination targets with ongoing treatment and vector control strategies. All the transmission models suggest that the WHO elimination target (<1 new VL case per 10,000 capita per year at sub-district level) is likely to be met in Bihar, India, before or close to 2020 in sub-districts with a pre-control incidence of 10 VL cases per 10,000 people per year or less, when current intervention levels (60% coverage of indoor residual spraying (IRS) of insecticide and a delay of 40days from onset of symptoms to treatment (OT)) are maintained, given the accuracy and generalizability of the existing data regarding incidence and IRS coverage. In settings with a pre-control endemicity level of 5/10,000, increasing the effective IRS coverage from 60 to 80% is predicted to lead to elimination of VL 1-3 years earlier (depending on the particular model), and decreasing OT from 40 to 20days to bring elimination forward by approximately 1year. However, in all instances the models suggest that L. donovani transmission will continue after 2020 and thus that surveillance and control measures need to remain in place until the longer-term aim of breaking transmission is achieved

Association of a novel mutation in the plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter with decreased piperaquine sensitivity

Background. Amplified copy number in the plasmepsin II/III genes within Plasmodium falciparum has been associated with decreased sensitivity to piperaquine. To examine this association and test whether additional loci might also contribute, we performed a genome-wide association study of ex vivo P. falciparum susceptibility to piperaquine. Methods. Plasmodium falciparum DNA from 183 samples collected primarily from Cambodia was genotyped at 33 716 genomewide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Linear mixed models and random forests were used to estimate associations between parasite genotypes and piperaquine susceptibility. Candidate polymorphisms were evaluated for their association with dihydroartemisinin- piperaquine treatment outcomes in an independent dataset. Results. Single nucleotide polymorphisms on multiple chromosomes were associated with piperaquine 90% inhibitory concentrations (IC90) in a genome-wide analysis. Fine-mapping of genomic regions implicated in genome-wide analyses identified multiple SNPs in linkage disequilibrium with each other that were significantly associated with piperaquine IC90, including a novel mutation within the gene encoding the P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter, PfCRT. This mutation (F145I) was associated with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine treatment failure after adjusting for the presence of amplified plasmepsin II/III, which was also associated with decreased piperaquine sensitivity. Conclusions. Our data suggest that, in addition to plasmepsin II/III copy number, other loci, including pfcrt, may also be involved in piperaquine resistance

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Not AvailableThe samples of fish species, Cyprinus carpio var. communis were obtained through fishermen or fish market at Teliarganj for the Ganga river and Sadiapur for the Yamuna river at Allahabad. Sampling was performed during the January 2008 to December 2009. Male proportion was higher than female in 0 and 1+ age groups in both rivers. Female proportion was higher than male in higher age groups in both the rivers. Male fish was not encountered in the 13+ age group in the Yamuna river. In the stock, sex structure of male and female was recorded (48.95%) and (51.04%), respectively in the Ganga river but slightly higher proportion of female was recorded in the Yamuna river.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableCyprinus carpio, commonly known as common carp, is an exotic fish species in India. Presence of this species has been reported to reduce diversity and modify local community dynamics in freshwater systems (Minns and Cooley, 2000). They are perceived as a significant ecological pest in many countries where they have been introduced (Arlinghaus and Mehner, 2003) and are generally considered ecologically most detrimental of all freshwater invasive fish species (Crivelli, 1983;Zambrano et al., 2001; Dean, 2003; Koehn, 2003). Despite all these features the common carp forms the most common fishery of the world. Today many countries have extensive and intensive farming of common carp. C. carpio prefers slow and stagnant water bodies, and / or silt bottoms with shell incorporations (Balon, 1995, Pathak et al., 2011). The present study was aimed to assess on the population structure of C. carpio in the middle stretch of the Ganga river at Allahabad.Not Availabl

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Not AvailablePresent investigation was carried out on the fish samples of river Yamuna from Sadiapur fish landing centre during January 2008–December 2009. Studies were undertaken to assess the age composition, growth rate and age pyramid of Cyprinus carpio var. communis. Age composition varied from 0 to 13?age groups. The maximum growth was recorded at 1?year (20.69 cm) and minimum at the 9?year (3.01 cm) of the life cycle. Growth of C. carpio was higher than that of recorded in Europe and Australia. According to percentage, 0 age group shared 7.53 % only. Age group 1?was dominant (24.60 %), which was observed to be nearly one-fourth of the total collected samples. The difference was very high in 0to1?age groups (17.16 %). The age groups 0, 2?,3?,4?,5?,6?,7?,8?,9?,10?,11?, contributed 7.53,18.38, 15.48, 9.84, 5.35, 3.90, 3.19, 3.04, 2.74, 2.60 and1.59 %, respectively.Not Availabl

Rejoinder: a reply to comments on “should consumers request cost transparency?”

YesThe purpose of this paper is to provide response around three commentaries: Lowe’s view on key mechanisms through which greater transparency could influence consumer product evaluations (Lowe, 2015); Kuah and Weerakkody’s critical assessment on whether cost transparency is good for consumers (Kuah and Weerakkody, 2015); and Singh’s perspective on what is behind the price tag and why companies should embrace cost transparency (Singh, 2015). Design/methodology/approach – This is a response to the aforementioned commentaries, from the authors of “Should Consumers Request Cost Transparency?”. Findings – The authors call for empirical studies to shed light on issues, including, but not limited to, drivers and challenges/barriers of making unit cost available; appropriateness of unit cost information for different category of products; information overload caused by cost transparency; effect of availability of unit cost on the consumer decision-making; empowerment of consumers through unit cost information; impact of cost transparency on realisation of fairness, differentiation, competitive advantage and sustainability for businesses; and impact of cost transparency on market dynamics and consumer behaviour. Originality/value – Given its potential impact on both theory and practice, the arguments presented for and against provisioning of unit cost information to consumers is an issue worthy of further debate and empirical investigation