Biofloc Technology for Sustainable Growth of Shrimp Species: Litopenaeus Vannamei

Aquaculture stands as the fastest-growing food-producing sector globally, undergoing continuous development, expansion, and intensification across all regions. Despite the anticipation of higher production levels, the global growth of aquaculture is constrained by the severe scarcity of water and the limited availability of suitable land. Biofloc systems have emerged as a viable solution tailored for water-scarce areas. This innovative system offers a potential food source for shrimp reared in an environmentally friendly, limited or zero water exchange environment, with minimal effluents released into the surrounding ecosystem. The present study was conducted at a corporate aquaculture farm facility located in Cuddalore district, Tamilnadu. The research focused on evaluating the water quality, survival rates, and growth performance of Litopenaeus vannamei, ranging from post-larvae (PL-9) to 26.6 grams, over a 120-day period within a Biofloc system. Three cement tanks, designated as C1 (control) and C2, C3 (test), were utilized, each with a stocking density of 120 PL/sq.m. After reaching a weight of 2 grams, the shrimp were transferred to grow-out ponds. The results indicated that shrimp reared in Biofloc tanks exhibited significantly higher final weights, survival rates, and favorable water quality parameters compared to the control group, which relied solely on commercial feed. Significantly, as the biofloc volume rose, there was a noteworthy decrease in the requirement for feed application, thereby establishing the Biofloc system as a financially efficient option for shrimp cultivation

Prevalence of copepod parasite (Lernaeenicus polynemi) infestation on Eleutheronema tetradactylum from Pazhayar coastal waters, southeast coast of India

Objective: To study the prevalence and mean intensity of copepod parasite Lernaeenicus polynemi infestation on Eleutheronema tetradactylum from Pazayar, Tamil Nadu, of India. southeast coast Methods: The fish was collected from Pazhayar landing centre from January to December 2012 aonf dp atrhaesiirt ebsi owmeeretr rice cmoredaesdu.rements were examined. Toal number of infected fish and total number. Results: Higher prevalence and mean intensity of infestation of 35.23% and 3.1 were respectively rbeopdoyr toefd t hdeu rhinosgt manodn stoaorgne steedas tohne odfi f2f0e1r2e.n Tt hinet epranraals iotircg ainnsfe ssutacthio anss lwiveerre asncda tttheree ddo orvsaelr athoret ae.n Ttihree highest intensity was reported to be 66 parasites in a single host. Conclusions: Due to the heavy parasitic attack the fish will suffer and its economical value or the marketability may reduce

Incidence of running mortality syndrome (RMS) in Pacific whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, in an intensive biofloc grow-out pond

Bacterial disease is a major problem in Pacific whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei farming areas where farmers are facing a huge production loss due to epidemic diseases. The incidence of running mortality syndrome (RMS) was reported in L. vannamei, in an intensive biofloc culture system. Infected shrimps showed bacterial spots on the surface of the carapace, thick transparent mucous attached to the hepatopancreas, antennal cut, and cannibalism. Microscopical examination revealed a lichen-like structure with undulated margins varying about 22-650 µm size. Morphological characteristics of the colonies were smooth, circular, and opaque. Histopathological studies showed the sloughing of the tubule, multiplication of the bacterial plaque, and infiltration of the hemocytes in the infected hepatopancreas. Scanning electron microscopy of the infected shrimp revealed bacilli and cocci-shaped bacteria. Using transmission electron microscopy, bacterial populations were observed in the cytoplasm

Scaling up self-stratifying supercapacitive microbial fuel cell

Self-stratifying microbial fuel cells with three different electrodes sizes and volumes were operated in supercapacitive mode. As the electrodes size increased, the equivalent series resistance decreased, and the overall power was enhanced (small: ESR = 7.2 Ω and Pmax = 13 mW; large: ESR = 4.2 Ω and Pmax = 22 mW). Power density referred to cathode geometric surface area and displacement volume of the electrolyte in the reactors. With regards to the electrode wet surface area, the large size electrodes (L-MFC) displayed the lowest power density (460 μW cm−2) whilst the small and medium size electrodes (S-MFC, M-MFC) showed higher densities (668 μW cm−2 and 633 μW cm−2, respectively). With regard to the volumetric power densities the S-MFC, the M-MFC and the L-MFC had similar values (264 μW mL−1, 265 μW mL−1 and 249 μW cm−1, respectively). Power density normalised in terms of carbon weight utilised for fabricating MFC cathodes-electrodes showed high output for smaller electrode size MFC (5811 μW g−1-C- and 3270 μW g−1-C- for the S-MFC and L-MFC, respectively) due to the fact that electrodes were optimised for MFC operations and not supercapacitive discharges. Apparent capacitance was high at lower current pulses suggesting high faradaic contribution. The electrostatic contribution detected at high current pulses was quite low. The results obtained give rise to important possibilities of performance improvements by optimising the device design and the electrode fabrication

Determining transpiration efficiency of eight grain sorghum lines [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Master of ScienceDepartment of AgronomyRobert M. AikenMary B. KirkhamTranspiration efficiency (TE) is defined as total biomass produced per unit of water transpired. Improvement of TE means maximizing crop production per unit of water used. The objectives of the study were to examine, at the leaf level and the whole plant level, the variation in TE for sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] accessions, previously screened for TE and to test physiological mechanisms that may account for differences in TE. Three field studies and two mini-lysimeter studies (one done in pots under greenhouse conditions and one done in pots in the field) were conducted with eight accessions. Instantaneous measurements of assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration by gas exchange provided measures of the transpiration efficiency at the leaf level. Growth observations and soil water balance in field plots quantified components of whole-plant TE. Growth and development measurements showed significant difference, explaining the existence of photoperiod sensitivity among the sorghum genotypes. Assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs), and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) were consistently greater for accession PI533946 (from India) and greater for accession PI295121 (from Australia) in both field and the field-pot studies (p<0.05). Internal carbon dioxide (Ci), an indicator of intrinsic transpiration efficiency, differed among lines under field conditions (p<0.05). Leaf relative water content (RWC), measured in the greenhouse, and did not differ among the eight accessions. No consistent differences in biomass and water use were detected among lines under field conditions. In conclusion, developing reliable selection indices for TE will require a greater understanding of whole-plant physiological processes to utilize the differences in TE observed at the leaf level

Hope in oncology facility

RESEARCH QUESTION How can architecture help to improve the emotional well-being of cancer patients? ABSTRACT Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases of this century. Almost 10 million people worldwide die each year due to different types of cancer. Only about one person in every three people in New Zealand gets cured of this deadly disease. Every day 63 new cancer cases are recorded in New Zealand. In 2012, cancer accounted for 210 deaths for every 100,000 people in New Zealand. This is a higher rate than Australia or the United States of America. With an ageing population in New Zealand, there is the prospect of numbers of cancer patients increasing, and while many treatments have been developed to halt or delay the disease there is no known cure. In recent times, New Zealand has invested approximately 20 million dollars in opening a new private cancer facility called the Bowen Icon Cancer Centre in Wellington. Research on innovative approaches to provide for greater comfort to patients who often feel emotionally weak during the process of recovery is under continuous development. This project will propose a design for a support centre for cancer patients targeted at creating a positive environment during their treatment. It will incorporate an in-depth analysis of literature and take inspiration from established contemporary ideas regarding the wellbeing of cancer care patients. Since there are spaces like radiation rooms which need to be designed to hospital standards in the process of achieving this goal, each aspect of the design will be considered and studied before introducing design strategies. Salutogenic design strategies will also be explored and included in the facility design. Precedents will be analysed to understand how architects have developed projects from nascent concepts to design execution. These exemplars will inform the design process

Prevalence and pathology manifestation of Acanthocephalus ranae infestation in finfishes of Tamil Nadu, southeast coast of India

The seasonal variations and pathological manifestation of the acanthocephala infestation were investigated from southeast coast of India. The adult worms’ proboscis is cylindrical, the length and width ranging between 1.2-7.3 cm and 1.0-1.8 mm respectively. Caranx ignobilis was the major host in terms of prevalence and intensity among the other fish species examined for infestation and seasonal variation of Acanthocephalus ranae over three year period. The higher prevalence of infested fishes Caranx ignobilis (61.8% ±1.8), Seriolina nigrofasciata (48.6% ±1.3) and Dayseiaena albida (38.5% ±1.8) were observed. Mean intensities ranged between 5.8 and 12.6 worms per fish. Grossly, the parasites attached tissues were wounded, reddish, swollen, abraded and thickened. Histologically, the infested intestinal outer wall of the muscularies extema and tip of the proboscis is still inverted; Hyperplasia of the intestinal villi and lamina propria near the site of parasitic attachment were also evidenced. Cellular infiltrated area surrounding the proboscis, aggregation of lymphocytes and fibroblasts at the site of inflammation were observed from the parasitized intestine. The lesions were infiltrating with basophil-like inflammatory cells. The histological findings revealed that the pathological injure was depends on the density of the parasitic burden and depth of the proboscis penetration into the host intestine. Long live parasite increases the cellular infiltration and it may leads to the tumorous conditions of the infested hosts

Acanthocephala (Acanthocephalus lucii) infection on Caranx ignobilis from Nagapattinam, south east coast of India

448-452Acanthocephalus lucii is one of the most widely distributed species of acanthocephalans infecting marine fishes throughout India. Adult worm of Acanthocephalus lucii were collected from small intestine of Caranx ignobilis from Nagapattinam. They have group of acanthocephalan adhering in the host gut. Acanthocephalus lucii proboscis through the infected fish intestine about 0.7 - 1.4 mm deep. Maximum 12 Acanthocephalus lucii were collected from the single infected host. Totally 4476 fishes were examined which is out of 2648 host were infected with acanthocephala parasite. Morphology of the worms was cylindrical structure, proboscis hooks were uniformly arranged and smallest posterior end. Length of the Acanthocephalus lucii was up to 2.8 - 6.3 cm and weight was up to 0.012 - 0.068 g. Higher prevalence (63.84 %), intensity (10.01 %) and abundance (6.39) were observed at post monsoon season. The current study was carried out an occurrence, description of the parasite, prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance was observed

Morphological and histophathological studies of Acanthocephalus dirus infection in internal organ of Caranx ignobilis

453-458Adult worms of Acanthocephalus dirus possessed a proboscis which is long, cylindrical with a uniform width measuring up to 0.42±0.02 (0.37-0.48) mm in length and 0.13±0.02 (0.07-0.16) mm in width. Scanning electron microscopy [SEM] photographs were revealed that the proboscis hooks large, uniform size (15 rows of 13 hooks each) with a row of longer hooks at the base. Histopathological study revealed that the fish intestinal tissues totally destroyed the ultrastructure of the infected intestinal tissues, such as mucosal epithelium, stratum granulosum, lamina propria, muscular and serosa of the wall of the intestine forming a tunnel surrounded with collagenous fibers and granulocytes. Inflammation, granular cells formation, connective tissue proliferation was associated with the host immune madulation of the infected intestine