AGE-DEPENDENT CANNIBALISM IN A COLONY OF ALBINO RATS

Cannibalism in laboratory animals is well known (Hart, 1934; Weaver & Bird, ]934; Perla & Sandberg, 1939; Hankin, 1960; Karmurthi, Sreenivasamoorthy & Parpia, 1972). It has been attributed to maternal nutritional deficiency (Hart, ]934; Carlson & Hoe]zel, 1948; Hankin, ]960), environmental conditions such as over-crowding, boredom and parasitism (Wi]son, ]949), toxic substances in the diet (Karmurthi, et al., ]972), or to toxicity produced by an excess of certain vitamins or minerals in the diet (Perla & Sandberg, 1939). Weaver & Bird (1934) have attributed cannibalism to the loss of materna] instinct due to disturbances in the physical state of the mother rats. In the present study the effect of materna] age on mortality due to cannibalism and loss of materna] care is considered. Altogether 240 female Wistar rats were used. They were kept in po]ypropylene cages fitted with stainless-steel wire-mesh bottoms, and housed in a vermin-proof room maintained at 28 ±2°C. Compressed absorbent cotton was used both as bedding and nesting material. The same commercia] diet ('Rat and mouse feed'; Hindustan Lever Ltd, Bombay, India) was fed throughout the experiment. Depending upon their age at pairing, the rats can be divided into 12 groups, each containing 20 animals. Except for Group ], the rats were all parous, having produced from 1 to 6 litters. Pregnant rats were separated and individually maintained. From the day of birth up to weaning on Day 2], the youngwerecounteddailybetween0900and 1000hours. Youngthat were found partially eaten or missing were classified as 'canniba]ised', whilst those found dead but intact were considered to have died from starvation or lack of maternal care. The results are presented in Tab]e ]. In the youngest females, paired at 2 to 6 months of age, the incidence of cannibalism was less than 10 %,but it rose quite sharply to reach a maximum of 34 % in females paired at 11-11.9 months of age (group 10). The level of deaths attributed to lack of maternal care or starvation remained relatively low (3-8 %) in females paired up to 10 months of age (Groups 1 to 8), and then increased dramatically to a peak of 60 % in those paired at 13-13.9 months of age (Group 12). In the 2 oldes

Fisheries Stakeholders and Their Livelihoods in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

Fisheries Management for Sustainable Livelihoods (FIMSUL), is a project implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the Government of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in India under the World Bank Trust Fund. The project aims at establishing frameworks, processes and building capacities of various stakeholders especially the Government, to facilitate the planning, design and implementation of appropriate fisheries development and management policies. The project includes a series of stakeholder consultations and consensus building apart from detailed review and analysis in the areas of stakeholders, livelihoods, policy, legal and institutional frame work and fisheries management. Based on this, the project comes up with various options. Stakeholder and livelihoods analysis is an essential part of the project. Hence, the team developed a detailed methodology for stakeholder consultations which includes district level stake holder consultation, focus group discussions, household interviews and validation meetings. The stakeholder and livelihoods analysis following the above steps were done through six NGO partners working along the coast of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry who were initially trained on the methodology. The NGO partners : PLANT, GUIDE, FERAL, SIFFS, DHAN Foundation and TMSSS, especially a team of dedicated staff engaged by them had done an excellent work in completing comprehensive field exercises and bringing out 12 district/regional reports. These are published separately. This report is a compilation, and complete analysis of the stakeholders and livelihoods based on all the field level consultations.This report is expected to be an important reference to primary stakeholders' perspective of the important stakeholders in the sector, the livelihoods and livelihoods changes, the adaptive and coping mechanism, the relationships between the stakeholders and their hopes and aspirations. For any development intervention for any sector or stakeholder group, region-wise in marine fisheries in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the information from this report could be an important starting point

Research Faculty, Entrepreneurship and Commercialization: The Case of Kansas State University

In this study, we assess the relationships between the demographic characteristics of researchers and their perspectives on entrepreneurship and the commercialization of their inventions, and analyze the relationship between faculty perceptions of university commercialization policies and their entrepreneurial orientation. We conclude that there is a need for effective educational programs to address each of the issues and increase awareness among faculty and researchers.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

13C n.m.r. investigation on the nitrogen methylation of some azabenzenes

The 1H and 13C n.m.r. spectra of N-methylated pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine and pyrazine and N,N-dimethylated pyrimidine and pyrazine have been recorded and analysed. The change in the 13C chemical shifts under the influence of N-methylation (Δδ) in the diazabenzenes could be predicted by the Δδ values of pyridine. A comparison of the Δδ values of N-methylation with those of N-protonation showed that both reactions have a similar effect

Carbon-13 n.m.r. investigation on the nitrogen methylation of the mono- and diazanaphthalenes

The 13C n.m.r. spectra of the N-methylated mono- and diazanaphthalenes have been recorded and analysed. It has been shown that N-methylation as well as N-protonation in cinnoline occur predominantly at the -nitrogen atom. N-methylation and N-protonation show a similar effect on the 13C chemical shift

Návrh zkušebního stavu a testování integrovaného hydraulického aktuátoru

This report describes the design of the test rig for testing of the integrated actuator. The main component of the test rig is a holder to hold the hydraulic actuator in vertical position. A control algorithm for measurement of stiffness characteristics of spring using the integrated hydraulic actuator is proposed. The control algorithm will clearly explain the control process for controlling the valves. Using the control algorithm, simulation models of the integrated hydraulic actuator to test and measure the stiffness characteristics of the spring will be modelled. The obtained simulation results will be analysed and checked to see if it matches the working cycle of a spring testing machine. The practical implementation of the control algorithm will be discussed. The behaviour of the integrated hydraulic actuator in vertical position will be tested. The integrated hydraulic actuator placed in vertical position will also be tested for the working cycle. The obtained results will be analysed and future scope of the project will be discussed.Diplomová práce popisuje konstrukci zkušebního stavu na testovani integrovaného aktuátoru. hlavní součást stendu je rám, který drží hydraulický pohon ve svislé poloze. Je navržen řídicí algoritmus pro měření tuhosti pružin pomocí integrovaného hydraulického pohonu. Řídicí algoritmus detailně popisuje řízení hydraulických ventilů během testovacího cyklu. Pro navržený řídicí algoritmus jsou vytvořeny simulační modely integrovaného hydraulického pohonu pro testování a měření charakteristik tuhosti. Získané výsledky simulace jsou analyzovány a porovnány, zda se shodují s pracovním cyklem stroje na testování pružin. Dále je popsána praktická implementace řídicího algoritmu. Následně je testováno chování integrovaného hydraulického pohonu ve svislé poloze. Integrovaný hydraulický pohon umístěný ve svislé poloze je testován v průběhu pracovního cyklu měření tuhosti pružiny. Získané výsledky jsou analyzovány a je diskutován další směr řešení.352 - Katedra automatizační techniky a řízenívýborn

Herbal-based Traditional Medicinal Knowledge of Local Inhabitants in Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand, India

Traditional medicinal knowledge has gained much attention recently due to rejuvenation of faith in traditional system of medicines. The Indian Himalaya is a source of plant based indigenous medicinal knowledge based on local plant diversity. Surveys were conducted in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India to collect indigenous information on primary health care. 29 formulations using 159 plant species were recorded treating 119 ailments in 13 broad therapeutic classes. Results have been compared with traditional knowledge from other parts of India