Comparative efficiencies of mechanized fishing crafts introduced in India

India started mechanization of fishing craft in early 1950. The traditional craft was subjected to technical scrutiny and some of them mechanized with good results. However, due to limitations inherent in the traditional craft, it was found necessary to develop new series of crafts suitable for the operation of modern fishing gears in areas hitherto unexplored. The impetus given to the development of infrastructure like freezing, canning and ice plants, and quickly expanding export market, increased the demand for marine products, hence craft for immediate, as well as long-term needs had to be introduced. In this article the author discusses design of fishing vessels, information from experience used in development of vessels, designs of distant water vessels, productivity studies, income and expenditure, economic values, production cost, and productivity

Pfaffian Differential Expressions and Equations

It is needless to point out the necessity and the importance of the study of Pfaffian differential expressions and equations. While it is interesting to consider from the pure mathematical point of view, their applications in many branches of applied mathematics are well known. To mention a few, one may observe that they arise in connection with line integrals (example, determination of work). They provide a more rational formulation of the foundations of thermodynamics as \u27developed by the Greek mathematician Caratheodory. They also arise in the problem of determining the orthogonal trajectories. In many branches of engineering and other physical sciences they appear with problems concerning partial differential equations

Isolating silkworm genomic DNA without liquid nitrogen suitable for marker studies

Genomic DNA was isolated from posterior silk gland of silkworms, Antheraea assama. Absolute alcohol was used as tissue fixing solution instead of grinding in liquid nitrogen, which yielded high molecular weight DNA (>40 kb). Samples yielded similar amount of DNA when fixed in absolute alcohol (400 μmg/g of silk gland tissue) and ground in liquid nitrogen (456 μmg/g of silk gland tissue). RAPD profile of the isolated DNA revealed high degree of polymorphism. The silkworms were analysed using 50 random primers among which 36 polymorphic primers gave 309 amplicons. The average amplicons per primer found to be 8.58 and 94.82% amplicons were polymorphic. Cluster analysis based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficients resulted in the formation of two main clusters with S9 on one cluster and the remaining strains on the other cluster. Jaccard’s similarity coefficients ranged from 0.122 to 0.863 indicating a high level of genetic diversity within muga silkworm collection. Isolated DNA was also suitable for cloning and restriction enzyme digestion. This method does not require liquid nitrogen for fixation, grinding or storage at -80°C, making it advantageous over other common protocols.Key words: Genomic, silkworms, muga, molecular breeding

Analysis of genetic diversity of muga silkworm (Antheraea assamensis, Helfer; Lepidoptera : Saturniidae) using RAPD-based molecular markers

Eleven populations of muga silkworm, Antheraea assamensis Helfer, the golden silk yarn producer of northeast India, was subjected to RAPD marker analysis in order to assess its genetic diversity. The genomic DNA extracted from muga silkworms were analysed using 50 random primers among which 36 polymorphic primers generated 309 bands. RAPD profile of the isolated DNA revealed a high level of genetic polymorphism. The average amplicons per primer was found to be 8.58, and 94.82% amplicons were polymorphic. Cluster analysis based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficients resulted in the formation of two main clusters with one population on one cluster and the remaining on the other cluster.Jaccard’s similarity coefficients ranged from 0.122 to 0.863 indicating a high level of genetic diversity within muga silkworm collection. The study concluded that, although there lays little morphological differences among the collected muga silkworm populations, the populations are highly polymorphic which might have enabled the silkworm to survive under a restricted geographical location, that is north east region of India only but under diverse climatic conditions for a long period. This study maybe useful in identifying diverse genetic stocks of A. assamensis, which may be conserved on a priority basis

Hydrographic winch

A winch suitable for lowering and hauling up of costly hydrographic apparatus like Bathy-thermograph, Reversible thermometers, Current flow meters etc., was designed, fabricated and tested at Off Shore Fishing Station, Cochin. The first model of this winch is in use on board the motor vessel Pratap, a Tuna Long linger

Exploring the Impact of Resveratrol on Gynecological Cancer: Insights and Perspectives

Gynecological cancers, a group of malignancies affecting the female reproductive system, are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in women. Different types of gynecological cancers differ by distinct attributes, risk determinants, and therapeutic methodologies. So, depending on the type and stage of the cancer, a tailored combination of therapies is required for the treatment. However, it is shocking that the side effects of these therapeutic methods range from mild to severe. Hence, developing innovative therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes is imperative. Here's the juncture where the role of plant-derived compounds in curing gynecological cancers becomes evident. Various plant-derived compounds, including phytochemicals, polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids for their cytotoxic, apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, and immunomodulatory properties, have been examined so far. Besides, certain phytocompounds can modulate hormonal-dependent gynecological cancers. Among the widely studied phytocompounds, RSV is the one that is extensively researched in vitro, in vivo and in-silico studies. In this context, this review article provides insights into the present-day knowledge about how RSV can potentially manage gynecological cancers. However, further research is needed to standardize their mode of action, optimal dosages, and potential interactions with conventional treatments. Rigorous clinical trials must validate their safety and efficacy profiles in different patient populations. As a result, a novel avenue for treating and preventing gynecological cancers could emerge by harnessing the multifaceted properties of phyto compounds, instilling new hope for patients and healthcare providers alike

A winding machine for "Sekiyama"

During 1964, the offshore fishing station, Cochin, took up a programme of exploratory tuna fishing in the deeper waters off Cochin. A side trawler was converted into a tuna long liner for this purpose