Mitigating Aquaculture Effluent through Use of Low-Grade Weirs

Water management practices to reduce mass discharge are a major point of concern for aquaculture producers. This study assessed effects of consecutive low-grade weirs on chemical retention and settling of aquaculture pond effluent in a single drainage ditch. Two control and nine treatment discharges were conducted September - October 2012. Control discharge dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) load increased 154%, whereas total inorganic phosphorus (TIP), ammonia, and nitrate loads decreased (47%, 43%, and 63%, respectively). Treatment discharge nutrient loads decreased across all analytes (80% DIP, 86% TIP, 89% ammonia, 89% nitrate). However, control and treatment discharges concentrations of DIP and nitrate increased, whereas TIP and ammonia concentrations decreased. All discharges reduced total and volatile suspended solid loads 72% - 94%, with removal rates of 0.02 ± 0.01 mg/L/min total and 0.02 ± 0.001 mg/L/min volatile suspended solids. Results indicate ditches fit with low-grade weirs may be an innovative management practice

Effects of Light Intensity and Daylength on Growth and Flowering of Siam Tulip (Curcuma Alismatifolia Var Chiangmai Pink)

Three studies were conducted to produce high quality potted and cut flowers of Curcuma alismatifolia var Chiangmai Pink, to develop a production protocol for the future use of commercial field growers and to introduce this species as a new ornamental crop to further enhance the lucrative floriculture industry in Malaysia. The morphological changes during flowering were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. In addition, influences of light intensity and daylength on flowering of Curcuma alismatifolia var Chiangmai Pink were investigated in two separate experiments. The objectives of the first study were to study the morphology, inflorescence initiation and flower development of C. alismatifolia using scanning electron microscopy and also to develop a time line of flowering of the crop. The observation from this study showed that the inflorescence was a mixed inflorescence called the thyrse, the main axis was indeterminate and secondary axis was determinate. Apex of the main axis produced primary bracts continuously. The flowers consisted of a gamosepalous calyx, three petals, a polliniferous stamen, a labellum developed from two petaloid staminodes, two lateral petaloid staminodes and a pistil. Ovary and ovules developed in a trilocular style with axial placentation. Initiation and development of the inflorescences can be best described with the number of leaves on the plant. The vegetative stage occurred at 1-4 leaves stage where as the flowering stage was at 5-6 leaves stage. For study two, the objective was to determine the effects of shading on the growth and flower development of Curcuma alismatifolia. Four levels of shading consisting of T1 (0% shade, without using black net), T2 (30% shade), T3 (50% shade) and T4 (70% shade) were used. The average light intensity measured was T1 (1108 mol m-2s-1), T2 (645.32 mol m-2s-1), T3 (402.08 mol m-2s-1) and T4 (296.86 mol m-2s-1). Increasing shade levels increased plant height and flower stalk length of C. alismatifolia. Manipulation of shade levels in cultivation of this species is especially important where 30% shade seemed to be the most suitable for pot flower production. For cut flower production, 70% shade are more suitable with 82.70 cm tall plants and produced flower stalk of 78 cm. In terms of flower quality, plants of 30% shade were the best in the aspect of flower colour, size and more turgid peduncle. Postproduction productivity was also the longest at 43 days. Hence, production of potted and cut flowers of Curcuma alismatifolia using shade level of 30% for the former and 70% for the latter would hasten plants production for commercial purposes The objective of the last study was to study the effect of daylength on the performance of Curcuma alismatifolia in Malaysia. Rhizomes of C. alismatifolia var Chiangmai Pink were grown under five treatments of long days at 12 hour (control), 14 hour, 16 hour, 18 hour and 20 hour. Treatments were supplemental lighting with incandescent bulb of 0 hr, 2 hr, 4 hr, 6 hr and 8 hr after 1900 hr. The study showed that 16 hr photoperiod produced the best growth rate. Plants at 16 hour also gave the best quality flowers with suitable plant height as potted plants, uniform flowering and also intense flower colour. Inflorescence length of Curcuma alismatifolia under this treatment also was the best size with 11.85 cm. Inflorescences of control were too short with less true flowers and shorter bracts where as inflorescences of plants under 20 hour were too long and thin with smaller true flowers. Post production of Curcuma alismatifolia under 16 hour were at 43 days. Introduction of this species as a new flowering potted and cut flower in Malaysia will be very promising as Curcuma alismatifolia is easy to grow with manipulation of shade levels and daylength. This plant species also require less maintenance as it has few pest and diseases problems. Future study on the vase life of the cut flower of Curcuma alismatifolia var Chiangmai Pink, the study on the dormancy, post harvest technology and storage condition for the rhizome of Curcuma alismatifolia should also be conducted to further enhance the growth and flowering of this species for commercial production

Comparative Evaluation of Speaking and Writing Skills in Project Level 1 (4th Edition) and Achievers A1+

This study is intended to find out about the two basic skills which are speaking and writing skill presented in Project level 1 (4th edition) and Achievers A1+ textbook. The textbooks were evaluated by using the theoretical framework as proposed by Cunningsworth (1995). 4 criteria were used to evaluate the presentation of the speaking skill and 9 criteria were used to examine the writing sections. The findings of this study show some interesting similarities and differences that both textbooks have on the presentation of speaking and writing skills

TEXTBOOK EVALUATION: AN ANALYSIS OF LISTENING AND READING SKILL IN PROJECT LEVEL 1 (4 TH 77 EDITION) AND ACHIEVERS A1+

The present study evaluates the presentation of listening andreading skills in Project level 1 (4th edition) and Achievers A1+ textbooks.The textbooks were evaluated by using the theoretical framework asproposed by Cunningsworth (1995). This research used qualitative contentanalysis as its research method. The results of this study show that bothtextbooks met the evaluation criteria proposed by Cunningsworth (1995)regarding the presentation of the listening skill. As for the presentation ofthe reading skill, Project level 1 (4th edition) textbook was considered asadequately met the requirement; while Achievers A1+ might be morerelevant to the evaluation criteria

Effects of Lee Silverman voice treatment [LSVT] on Cantonese speakers with Parkinson's disease

Includes bibliographical references (p. 26-30).Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 2009."A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, June 30, 2009."published_or_final_versionSpeech and Hearing SciencesBachelorBachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science

Exploration of family carers' experiences of support for rapid discharge arrangements for end-of-life care at home: a qualitative study.

Family carers play an integral role in achieving successful hospital discharge, especially when people would prefer to die at home (Larsson et al. 2018). In the North East of Scotland, there is a lack of information on how prepared family carers were, when their loved ones were discharged rapidly from hospital to home. The aim of this study was to explore these carers' experiences of support for rapid discharge for end-of-life care at home. This presentation was awarded the "Scientific Reviewers' Prize" at the 2022 NHS Grampian Research and Development Conference

Effect of LSVT on Lexical Tone in Speakers with Parkinson's Disease

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) has well-documented treatment efficacy for individuals with hypokinetic dysarthria associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Positive changes have been noted after treatment not only for vocal loudness but also for many other speech dimensions, including intonation (monotonicity). There have been few studies investigating the effect of LSVT on lexical tone which, like intonation, is controlled by variations in fundamental frequency. This study involved 12 Cantonese speakers with idiopathic PD who were enrolled in a standard LVST treatment protocol. Speech data were collected 3-4 days before treatment and 1 day after treatment. A wide variety of perceptual and acoustic variables were analyzed. The results showed significant improvements in loudness and intonation after treatment, but no significant changes in lexical tone. These results have theoretical implications for the relationship between tone and intonation and for models of the physiological control of fundamental frequency