Observations on the Food and Feeding Habits of the Skipjack Tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus) from Minicoy, Lakshadweep

The food and feeding habits of the skipjack tuna based on the data for the period 1993-96 is given here. Fishes, Cephalopod and crustaceans formed the main food items. Among fishes. Der.u/~lerri.ss p. is the dominant species found almost throughout the year. Cephalopod is fully comprised by squid. In prawns, Thula.s.socari.s sp. was seen during June-August and Lrl,tochela sp. during October-December. But in general empty condition dominated. The feeding habits in relation to the catch is discussed in addition to the comparison of the present observation with the earlier studies from here

Separation theory for palm kernel and shell mixture on a spinning disc

The separation of palm kernel from the shell is an important process in the recovery of the kernel for use in vegetable oil production. The inherent shortcoming of the fertiliser spinner spreader, resulting in non-uniform distribution, has led to investigations into the possibility of its use in the separation of palm kernel from shell. The differences in the physical properties of the kernel and shell provided the basis for separation. Models describing the motion of the kernel and the shell on a spinning disc with vanes, feeding a segment at a time, were developed, and comparisons between the predictions and experimental results were made. Discharge angles obtained from the predictive models and from the experiment were in close agreement. The experiment, however, indicated a mid-span, between the discharge angles for kernels and shells, containing the mixture. The models reasonably predict approximate ranges of discharge angles for palm kernels and shells on a spinning disc with specified diameter, friction coefficient and rotational speed

Mathematical modelling of palm nut cracking based on Hertz's theory

A mathematical model based on Hertz's theory of contact stress was developed for the prediction of force required to break the palm nut. Using nuts subjected to a uniaxial compression stress, in their lateral axis between rigid parallel plates, and those propelled to impinge a rigid cylindrical seat along its lateral axis, experimental verification of the model was conducted comparing the theoretical predictions with estimates from the representations of conventional methods employed in nut cracking. Properties including size, shape and mass, required in the derived model were determined for two varieties of the palm nut. Material stiffness was obtained from the force–deformation curve. Regression analysis showed an exponential variation of the cracking force with nut deformation. Material stiffness obtained was 654 N/mm and 303 N/mm for the ‘Dura’ and ‘Tenera’ nuts, respectively. The respective ranges of geometric mean diameters were 17·07–27·68 mm and 22·32–26.51 mm. There was no significant variation of nut sphericity with size or variety. Force prediction from the Hertzian model proposed gave good prediction of cracking force that was not significantly different from that obtained from a centrifugal nutcracker driven at 1500 min−1, with a 40 cm diameter cracking chambe

Anticoagulation with Warfarin: Roles of Adherence, Social Support and Illness Perception

Objectives: This study was aimed to determine (1) the associations between adherence to warfarin, social support, perception of illness, and demographic factors on the quality of international normalized ratios (INRs); as well as (2) the relationship between the patients’ scores in the Malaysian medication adherence scale (MALMAS) and their current INRs. Method: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2017 to January 2018 at the warfarin clinic of Jerantut Hospital, Malaysia. Results: Some 58 participants were recruited, of whom 70.7% were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF). Overall, 87.9% of the participants claimed adherence to their warfarin regimens. Patients with good-quality INR therapy were significantly older, had a higher median income and longer appointment durations. In terms of illness perception (IP), participants with good-quality INR therapy had significantly lower scores in the identity, personal control, and consequence domains. Overall, the total scores for IP were significantly lower in the good-quality INR therapy. Meanwhile, the MALMAS scores were significantly lower in patients with sub-therapeutic current INR. However, there were no associations between warfarin adherence and perceived social support with current TTR. Conclusion: Monitoring of demographic factors and IP’s domains is vital since they were associated with quality of INR therapy. Meanwhile, the occurrence of sub-therapeutic current INR should raise suspicion of poor adherence in these patients. Overall, IP and MALMAS are useful tools that should be integrated into the patient care protocols.   Article Type: Original Researc

The Indian mackerel

The Indian mackerel forms the major pelagic resources along the Indian coast Its trend of production fiuctuates in space and time. Several scientists have conducted considerable research works on its biology, fishery and population structure from various parts of its distributional range at different periods of time. Its fishing pattern witnessed large changes in response to mechanisation, motorisation, innovative gear and synthetic nets, together with extension of fishing to deeper grounds. The paper reviews the status of mackerel fisheries research that were carried out in CMFRI since 1950 through regular monitoring programme for its sustainable harves

Removal of metals from flat lubricating oils using a fabricated packed-bed reactor

Packed bed reactor (PBR) was fabricated and its performance in removing metals from used (flat) lubricating oils was evaluated. A blend of locally produced diatomaceous materials was employed as sorbent. Flat lubricating oils from two brands (Mobil Super SAE-20W-50 and Total Quartz 5000 SAE-20W-50) were run through the PBR. Concentrations of the analysed metals in the used and treated oils were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and the results compared with those of unused (virgin) oils. Zinc, Mg, Ca, Na and K were detected in virgin oils; while all the analysed metals were detected in the treated and used oils but are of higher concentrations in the used oils. Cross plots have R2 values > 0.96, indicating high linear relationships of the impact of the treatment on the used oils. T-test results indicated that most of the metals showed significant differences between the mean values of the treated and used oils, indicating good treatment effects; while most of them indicated no significant differences between the mean values of the brands of oils used, indicating similar treatment effects on the two brands of oils. These results confirmed the high efficacy of the fabricated PBR for the purpose of recycling used oils

Design, fabrication and testing of a cassava pelletizer

This paper reports on the design of fabrication and testing of a machine for cottage level production of pellets from cassava mash. The pelletizer consists of a barreled screw auger which compresses cassava mash against perforated end plate, through which the pellets are pelletized. The result derived from the calculated design parameters (shaft diameter, tensile stress, torque, screw length, volumetric capacity mass flow rate and power rating) were used for the fabrication. The testing of the pelletizer was determined in terms of throughput of the machine, against the moisture content of the mash (18, 20 and 22% wb), die size (4, 6 and 8 mm) and the auger speed (90, 100 and 120 rpm). Test results showed that the pellets with the best quality attributes were obtained from cassava mash at 18% moisture content (wb) through the 4 mm die at 90 rpm and a maximum throughput of 54 kg/h

Evaluation of physico-chemical properties of re-refined lubricating oils obtained from fabricated packed bed reactor

This study aimed at fabricating a packed bed reactor (PBR) and evaluating its performance on improving physico-chemical properties of used lubricating oils. The sorbent used was a composite of bentonite, limestone, diatomite, quartz, and wood charcoal in the same ratio by mass. Samples of used lubricating oils from two brands (Mobil Super SAE 20W-50 and Total Quartz 5000 SAE 20W-50) were run through the fabricated PBR. The mean values of the analyzed physico-chemical parameters (kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, flash point, pour point, acid number, base number, iodine value, ash content, density, and refractive index) of the exuded (treated) oils were compared with those of used and virgin oils of the same brand. Apart from the iodine value, the mean values obtained for the treated oil samples are close to those of virgin oil samples. Thet-test results indicated that most of the parameters showed significant difference between their mean values in the used oils indicating distinct properties and hence, good treatment effects, while a good number showed no significant difference between their mean values in the treated Mobil and treated Total oils, indicating similar properties and that the treatment had similar effects on the two brands of oils. Also, various results of cross plots hadR 2 values greater than 0.96, indicating high linear relationships of the impact of the treatment on the various oil samples. The overall results established the high effectiveness of the fabricated PBR for the treatment of used lubricating oil

Fishery, biology and stock assessment of skipjack tuna in Indian seas

In India the oceanic skipjack, Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus) forms a significant fishery only in Lakshadweep islands. Here itself the catch is only an insignificant component in the lotal annual catch of this species from western Indian Ocean. The infrastructural facilities now available in these islands are insufficient to expect any major improvement in its fishery. As this group of islands arc increasingly coming to focus in the national context with a view for further devlopment, the fisheries sector will have to get its due importance

Plastic debris in the stomach of a Longman’s Beaked Whale, Indopacetus pacificus (Longman, 1926) stranded off Sutrapada, Veraval, Saurashtra coast, India

Longman’s beaked whale or the Indo- Pacific beaked whale (Indopacetus pacificus) is a rarely occurring whale with very poor information on sighting or stranding, though more common in western Indian Ocean region. Threat to marine fauna from the ingestion of plastic carry bags and other non-biodegradable debris scattered on the ocean surface and at the seafloor is increasing at alarming proportions. This communication describes the stranded adult female Longman’s beaked whale near off Sutrapada, Veraval, Gujarat coast that has presumably been choked to death due to the ingestion of four thick plastic bags, which was revealed from the autopsy conducted by the Gujarat Forest Department and the Wildlife Treatment Centre, Sasan Gir, Gujarat