Some ecophysiological information on Geloina expansa (Bivalvia: Cyrenidae) population in Santiago River, northern Philippines: prelude to aquaculture technique development

Knowledge on the optimum environmental conditions for a potential aquaculture species is necessary to simulate an artificial setting. The current study investigated the influence of several environmental parameters on the physiology of the mud clam Geloina expansa under natural condition. Highest CIs were recorded during the months of May to August, averaging to 179.79 (±6.47 SE) while the rest of the months averaged only 158.53 (±2.68). Geloina expansa population monthly GSI in Santiago River ranged from 9.64 to 26.51, low values were observed from November to February (12.00±0.36) and from June to July (12.24±2.59). Chlorophyll a concentration and sediment TOM have significant influence in CI variations. DO significantly affected the changes in GSI. These ecophysiological information are vital for the development of aquaculture techniques for G. expansa in northern Philippines

Feeding Preferences and the Nutritional Value of Tropical Algae for the Abalone Haliotis asinina

Understanding the feeding preferences of abalone (high-value marine herbivores) is integral to new species development in aquaculture because of the expected link between preference and performance. Performance relates directly to the nutritional value of algae – or any feedstock – which in turn is driven by the amino acid content and profile, and specifically the content of the limiting essential amino acids. However, the relationship between feeding preferences, consumption and amino acid content of algae have rarely been simultaneously investigated for abalone, and never for the emerging target species Haliotis asinina. Here we found that the tropical H. asinina had strong and consistent preferences for the red alga Hypnea pannosa and the green alga Ulva flexuosa, but no overarching relationship between protein content (sum of amino acids) and preference existed. For example, preferred Hypnea and Ulva had distinctly different protein contents (12.64 vs. 2.99 g 100 g−1) and the protein-rich Asparagopsis taxiformis (>15 g 100 g−1 of dry weight) was one of the least preferred algae. The limiting amino acid in all algae was methionine, followed by histidine or lysine. Furthermore we demonstrated that preferences can largely be removed using carrageenan as a binder for dried alga, most likely acting as a feeding attractant or stimulant. The apparent decoupling between feeding preference and algal nutritive values may be due to a trade off between nutritive values and grazing deterrence associated with physical and chemical properties

Spawning and larval development of a tropical abalone Haliotis asinina (Linne)

Dessication, thermal shock, ultraviolet-irradiated seawater, and hydrogen peroxide, singly or in combination, failed to induce the tropical abalone, Haliotis asinina to spawn viable number of eggs or sperm. However, natural spontaneous spawnings occurred frequently and fertilized eggs with an average size of 180 µm were obtained. Trochophore larvae hatched 5.2-5.6 h after fertilization (27.7-30.2°C). Veliger larvae were observed 8 h after fertilization and achieved creeping ability 30 h after fertilization. Competent larvae settled within 2-3 d on prepared diatom plates and juveniles forming the first respiratory pore were observed after 30 d

Gill lesions in Nile tilapia Oreochromis fingerling associated with acute malathion poisoning.

The hispathological changes in gills of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, fingerlings exposed to 5.3 mg/l (96-h LC50) malathion are described. These changes include hypertrophy of epithelial cells after 3 h, epithelial lifting and destruction of the structural integrity of some lamellae after 24 h, multifocal fusion of adjacent lamellae after 72 h, and diffused epithelial lifting after 96 h. Partial to complete recovery was observed in gills after rearing in malathion-free water for 6. to 12 d

Status of abalone fishery and experiential mariculture as a resource conservation strategy in Carot, Anda, Pangasinan

The study described the abalone f ishery in Carot, Anda, Pangasinan to develop mariculture and to reseed a part of the harvest as a resource conservation strategy. The abalone fishery of Anda is artisanal or smallscale, typif ied by f ishers gleaning or free-diving on shallow rocky areas which are the typical habitat of abalone. Low densities of 1.67 to 8 individuals per 250 m2 were observed. Local f ishers have knowledge of productive f ishing areas. Hence, cage culture of abalone in these areas could be a viable resource conservation strategy as they serve as reproductive reserves to supply larvae for continued productivity of the f ishing grounds. Abalone mariculture following the Farmer Field School (FFS) concept was explored to address both resource management and economic needs. As a resource enhancement activity, mariculture guarantees that cultured abalone are allowed to grow to maturity before harvested, while some are retained to restock a marine sanctuary. Sincemariculture makes possible the aggregation of individuals, the probability that fertilization would take place is increased. As supplemental source of livelihood, abalone is a high value commodity and its culture can help augment the income of f ishers. Small abalone (3-4 cm) can be cultured further for 3-4 months to increase their size and weight. Mariculture should be done from November to May to avoid the rainy season and improve survivorship. The experiential activity was successful because it became a means for the f ishers to experienceresource management. Under the FFS, the researcher became a facilitator and mentored the cooperators in learning from their experience. The lessons sharpened the f ishers’ skills in observation, problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking. This enabled them to gain an appreciation of their resource

Improving the timeliness in the preparation and distribution of highly confidential agenda items in a department in a government agency

Timeliness and accuracy of information is integral in making decisions. It is through this that people can make good judgment involving different matters. This factor is crucial regardless of the kind of needed information, whether quantitative or qualitative, and the ones who are making them. It is an essential component of any effort to persuade individuals, businesses or governments to make different decisions from the ones which they might make in the absence of particular pieces of information (Eslake, 2006). Information will always have a powerful impact. In a business perspective, the right information about your customers and competitors helps in crafting the best marketing strategy for ones organization. In economics, studies, statistics and market analysis provide effective tools in developing policies that can aid a country\u27s vulnerabilities to shocks and exposures. On the other hand, governments used information in plotting socio-economic policies that can alleviate poverty, improve infrastructure, and enhance public service. In a micro-level, management may find information about their personnel, such as interests and personality types, useful in creating initiatives that can help them grow professionally and feel motivated. In all this, time is of the essence. In this action research, timeliness is the issue. With the application of ORJI (Schein), Ladder of Inference, and data triangulation, we were able to gather relevant information about the issue and also ourselves. In addressing it, frameworks on business process improvement and change management were used. Interventions were made sure that they were aligned to said frameworks and ethical principles. All in all, there are three aspects in this action research that I find most important: (1) that it is impossible that the action research is a one-man show (2) action research is a learning and action process (3) that in the end, you will realize that along with the process that you decided to change, somehow you have been changed as well

Feeding, growth, and survival of post-larval abalone Haliotis asinina on different benthic diatoms

The feeding behavior, digestive efficiency, growth, and survival of post-larval abalone Haliotis asininafed with 5 species of locally isolated benthic diatom strains (Navicula mollis, N. ramosissima, Stauroneissp., Pleurosigma sp., and Cocconeis sp.) were examined in the laboratory. Two 15-day feeding trialsusing 1 mm post-larvae were conducted. No significant differences were observed in sizes of post-larvalabalone after 15 days in all diatom treatments (P>0.05). However, in both trials, Cocconeis sp. resulted inhigh survival rates (88.9±5.6% and 80.0±20.0% for Trials 1 and 2, respectively). Cocconeis sp. wasefficiently digested by post-larval abalone, with most of the cells being ruptured during ingestion and/orpassage through the gut. One diatom strain, Pleurosigma sp., resulted to a high survival but producedthe slowest growth rate (<10 ìm.d-1 SL). It was probably not ingested easily during the experiment due toits large size or mobility. For the other diatom strains, N. mollis and N. ramosissima, most cells passedthrough the gut with the cells left intact. Stauroneis sp. is highly digestible, but did not result to highsurvival, although the remaining live post-larval abalone fed on this diatom as well as on N. mollis grewfaster during the second week of both feeding trials. N. ramosissima resulted to poorest survival rate(<10%) due to its poor digestibility. Only Cocconeis sp. showed a fairly high growth rate, digestionefficiency, and survival rate. N. mollis which gave a fairly high survival rate and Stauroneis may be addedtowards the later stages of post-larval rearing as well as other large diatoms. The digestion efficiency ofdiatom strains is considered an important factor determining its dietary value, but other factors may alsobe important such as volume contents, biochemical composition, and other physical characteristics

The effect of noise and crowding on the aggression of pre-school children

The present study aimed to find out whether noise and crowding has an effect on the aggression of pre-school children. This was done through the use of an experimental method. Forty (40) pre-school children ages four (4) to six (6) participated in the experiment. They were divided into eight (8) groups with 5 students each and were randomly chosen. The children were observed during their free-play under the following conditions: Absence of Noise and Crowding (-N-C) Presence of Noise and Absence of Crowding (N-C) Absence of Noise and Presence of Crowding (-NC) and Presence of Noise and Crowding (NC). According to the statistical and the researcher\u27s observational analysis, the independent variables did not contribute to the aggression outburst of pre-school children. The researchers believe there are other possible causes that we should look into that may trigger aggression among children