Mangrove-associated mollusc research at SEAFDEC/AQD

Mollusc research at the Aquaculture Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center started in 1975 and focused on two commercially important mangrove-associated bivalves, the slipper-shaped oyster (Crassostrea iredalei) and the green mussel (Perna viridis). Studies conducted were on spatfall forecasting to increase collection of seeds from the wild; improvement of farming techniques; seed production in the hatchery; bivalve sanitation; and transplantation. These studies have led to the development of a suitable spat collector for oyster and mussel; promotion of the raft culture method for oysters and mussels to prevent siltation of growing areas, including a low-cost raft design for this purpose; refinement of transplantation techniques to increase production and to grow osyters and mussel in suitable areas without natural populations; and desgin of a prototype low-cost depuration unit. A socio-economic study of oyster and mussel farming practices in Western Visayas provided information on current farming practices and profitability. A study done on the use of green mussel as biofilter in a semi-intensive shrimp pond showed that shrimp stocked with mussels grew faster than those without. A study on the biology and fishery of the "imbao" Anodontia edentula, another mangrove-associated bivalve, is ongoing. Spawning has been achieved in the laboratory and larval stages monitored were first polar body, 2-cell stage, morula, ciliated gastrula, trocophore, veliger, and pediveliger

Effects of rain and foot disturbances on antlion (Myrmeleon immaculatus) pit size and relocation.

General EcologyThe purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of rain and foot disturbances on the pit size and relocation preference of antlion larvae (Myrmeleon immaculatus). Antlions were placed in sand filled aquaria to build pits in a 24-hour period and pit size and location (exposed or sheltered) was measured. Rain and foot traffic treatments were performed and relocation and pit size was measured after a 24-hour period. The mean pit diameter of the antlions exposed to treatments of dry and foot traffic were significantly larger than the mean pit diameter of antlions with the rain treatment. The number of antlions that relocated to shelter after the no treatment and foot traffic treatment was not significantly greater than the number of antlions that relocated to shelter after the treatment of rain. There was a greater proportion that chose shelter as the number of trials increased for no treatment and foot traffic treatment. There were significantly more pits built in dry conditions than wet conditions. In conclusion, pit size was related to disturbances of rain and foot, and pit size was larger within the trails with out treatment and with foot traffic and rain disturbances.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78446/1/Mallare_Kayla_2010.pd

Crustacean shell waste as a potential feed material

Crustacean wastes are waste products collected from marine industry. This review includes fundamental studies of crustacean waste such as protein, carotenoid and lipid including chitin and natural pigment named astaxanthin. Crude protein in crustacean shells like shrimp shell at 27.23%, crab shell (25.98%) and lobster shell (23.24%) are indicators that crustacean waste can be further developed as essential support feed in industries. Astaxanthin from carotenoid group is the most important property of crustacean waste that can provide red colour pigment besides acts as precursor for mechanism of vitamin. Astaxanthin is a natural source that can provide secondary protein source to livestock and fish as it can replace synthetic colour used today with natural pigment colour for ornamental fish that provides fancy skin colors that could increase market value. Extracts from crustacean waste too could provide benefits to pharmaceuticals industry such as source for cosmetics and health supplement. Astaxanthin in crustacean waste is also an immune system booster that contains high antioxidant. Natural astaxanthin extracts too has potential as an alternative colour source that could replace synthetic colors in feeds for ornamental fish

Professionalism, Golf Coaching and a Master of Science Degree: A commentary

As a point of reference I congratulate Simon Jenkins on tackling the issue of professionalism in coaching. As he points out coaching is not a profession, but this does not mean that coaching would not benefit from going through a professionalization process. As things stand I find that the stimulus article unpacks some critically important issues of professionalism, broadly within the context of golf coaching. However, I am not sure enough is made of understanding what professional (golf) coaching actually is nor how the development of a professional golf coach can be facilitated by a Master of Science Degree (M.Sc.). I will focus my commentary on these two issues

The management of diabetic ketoacidosis in children

The object of this review is to provide the definitions, frequency, risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnostic considerations, and management recommendations for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children and adolescents, and to convey current knowledge of the causes of permanent disability or mortality from complications of DKA or its management, particularly the most common complication, cerebral edema (CE). DKA frequency at the time of diagnosis of pediatric diabetes is 10%–70%, varying with the availability of healthcare and the incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the community. Recurrent DKA rates are also dependent on medical services and socioeconomic circumstances. Management should be in centers with experience and where vital signs, neurologic status, and biochemistry can be monitored with sufficient frequency to prevent complications or, in the case of CE, to intervene rapidly with mannitol or hypertonic saline infusion. Fluid infusion should precede insulin administration (0.1 U/kg/h) by 1–2 hours; an initial bolus of 10–20 mL/kg 0.9% saline is followed by 0.45% saline calculated to supply maintenance and replace 5%–10% dehydration. Potassium (K) must be replaced early and sufficiently. Bicarbonate administration is contraindicated. The prevention of DKA at onset of diabetes requires an informed community and high index of suspicion; prevention of recurrent DKA, which is almost always due to insulin omission, necessitates a committed team effort

The design of the De La Salle University-Manila/PSI campus network backbone

The De La Salle University is one of the more prestigious universities in the Philippines and Asia. The DLSU-Manila Professional Schools Inc. (Manila/PSI) campus network, which started in 1989, has grown to be one that needs to be upgraded due to various factors such as increased network traffic and increased number of networked computers. The existing design is based on a multi-level star topology using Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) at the core and Ethernet at the edge. There is one ATM switch and several Ethernet and Fast Ethernet switches. These are enough for existing network load. However, it is far from being able to cope with future demands especially teleconferencing 00 i.e., audio and/or video conferencing - and large and/or multiple file attachments to electronic mails. There are also related problems with the existing network design such as a large broadcast domain. The study shows the limitations and problems of the existing network. It identifies current and projected bandwidth requirements. In conclusion, the study proposes and compares the four design options for the network

Experimental evaluation of probiotics as biocontrol/bioremediation in the rearing of shrimp (Penaeus monodon)

Two hundred fifty-liter (250-L) fiberglass tanks each equipped with 15-L capacity filter tanks are adequate for screening of commercial probiotics. The application of some commercial probiotics in the culture water is more advantageous than adding it to the feeds. Probiotics A, C, and F, when added to the culture water, gave significantly different (P0.05) from the other treatments. SR when Probiotic G was added was significantly different (P<0.05) from the control. The results of this study showed that one should be cautious in the use of commercial probiotics because not all are effective. Users should also take note of the active ingredients in the product they buy

Development of practical diet for the grow-out culture of Scylla serrata in ponds

A series of feeding experiments were conducted in the laboratory and in ponds of SEAFDEC/AQD using hatchery-produced Scylla serrata juveniles to develop an effective pelleted grow-out diet. The practical feed ingredients included local and imported fishmeal, shrimp meal, copra meal, soybean meal, corn grits and squid liver powder. The other feed ingredients were rice bran, wheat pollard, bread flour and micronutrient mixes. The results in the laboratory trials were used to improve the feed composition for the culture of crab juveniles in grow-out ponds. Three runs (Run 1 - 108 days, Run 2 - 129 days and Run 3 - 114 days) were conducted in 270m2 ponds. Crab juveniles at stocking densities of 0.08 - 0.10m-2 were fed two dietary treatments containing 44% and 38% crude protein at similar dietary energy level estimated at 17 MJ/kg diet. There were no significant differences in the survival, growth and feed conversion ratio in each of the three runs. In Run 1, the survival rate of crabs fed with 44% protein was higher (56-77%) than crabs fed with 38% protein (35-50%), but these were not significantly different. In Run 2, < 5 g crabs could grow up to a mean body weight of 435 g with survival rates of 31- 45% after 129 days on a ration consisting of 80% pelleted formulated feed and 20% low value fish. Similarly in Run 3, a mean of 443 g was attained in less than 4 months with survival rates of 30-73%. The final average weight and specific growth rate of crabs fed these two diets were not significantly different which showed that in ponds, the 38% crude protein diet was able to sustain growth as with the 44% diet provided the dietary energy is similar. The feed conversion ratio for both test diets and low value fish showed a great variation (low value fish 1 to 4; test diets 1.81 to 5.6). This study showed that low value fish as the traditional feed for mud crab in the grow-out culture can be decreased to only 20% of the ration by incorporating 80% of formulated pelleted feed