Implications of historic development and economic performance of molluscan fisheries in China 1950-2017

1667-1679This is the first attempt that discusses molluscan fisheries of China in terms of economic perspective. The originality of this research stems into the analysis of a long series of data, 1950-2017, 68 years covering pre and post-reform era, starting from the time when China had limited infrastructure to becoming world’s largest producer of aquatic products. Since its liberation, the Chinese economy has gone through various disruptions and transformations, which include famine, Cultural Revolution and accession to world trade organization during the late 1950s, the late 1960s and in 2011 correspondingly. Coupled with various macroeconomic perturbations, Chinese fisheries sector has also gone through various transformations of its own such as the shift from inshore to offshore fishing with the passage of time. Consequently, molluscan fisheries sector has experienced remarkable changes. Molluscan fisheries landings have considerably increased from 1950 (90500 t) to 2017 (1797475 t). However, the decline in the capture production has been observed after 2000 due to overexploitation. Trade (export + import) of molluscs (volume + value) is on the move since 1984 as a result of market liberalization and development policies. The tendency for molluscs consumption is also increasing with the passage of time

Characteristics of micro-propagated banana (Musa spp.) cultures stressed with NaCl and polyethylene glycol

The effect of NaCl and PEG was assessed on plant micro-propagation rate in banana (Musa spp.) cv., Basrai. Well micro-propagated plantlets were cultured on four different stresses of NaCl and PEG-4000 including control level: MS2b (MS0 + 3.0 mg l-1 BAP), MS2c (MS0 + 100 mol m-3 NaCl), MS2d (MS0 + 5% PEG) and MS2e (MS0 + 100 mol m-3 NaCl + 5 % PEG) for 6-weeks. Efficiency of plant micro-propagation was reduced significantly among the stressed cultures. Similarly, photosynthetic pigments like chl a was decreased non-significantly but chl b, chl ab were decreased significantly. Total carotenoids were increased in the saline as well as PEG stressed cultures. Cell size of epidermis and aerenchyma was increased (p < 0.05), while parenchyma decreased. Proline and glycinebetain contents were increased (p < 0.05) in each stressed culture but were high in MS2 than in MS3 and MS4 cultures. Meanwhile, proteins, sugars, phenolics and nitrates were observed to be in the reversed (p < 0.05) phenomena. In conclusion, NaCl treatment was observed to be most toxic than the PEG or PEG with NaCl on the banana micro-propagation.Key words: Musa spp., micro-propagation, NaCl (sodium chloride), PEG (polyethylene glycol), chlorophyll contents, proline, reducing sugars

Constraint analysis of major problems facing the marine fisheries sector in accordance with the national fisheries policy of Pakistan

Pakistan is endowed with abundant fisheries resources that have significant economic potential. Capture fisheries contribute a comparatively vital role to the national economy. However, poverty, environmental degradation and political instability are major problems for the Pakistani people, and no effective steps have been taken to handle this socio-economically important sector efficiently in the past. Furthermore, the fisheries sector faced its own set of challenges, including the emergence of small-scale artisanal fisheries, the nonexistence of technologies, deficiency of institutional development, an absence of infrastructure, insufficient human resource skill, and a lack of responsiveness among fishing societies, all of which contributed to the sector's demise. The National Fisheries Policy (NFP) was formulated to address these problems in the fisheries sector. Potential efforts have been made by the Government of Pakistan to solve these constraints under various plans of objectives and strategy axes of the policy. Our findings indicate that despite these efforts, the fisheries sector does not show significant growth to achieve the policy goals. So, it is necessary to re-evaluate and re-orient this policy for further development of this sector. It is also essential to achieve the aim of Government of Pakistan Vision 2025 to become one of the 25th largest economies in the world

2D Black Phosphorus: from Preparation to Applications for Electrochemical Energy Storage

Black phosphorus (BP) is rediscovered as a 2D layered material. Since its first isolation in 2014, 2D BP has triggered tremendous interest in the fields of condensed matter physics, chemistry, and materials science. Given its unique puckered monolayer geometry, 2D BP displays many unprecedented properties and is being explored for use in numerous applications. The flexibility, large surface area, and good electric conductivity of 2D BP make it a promising electrode material for electrochemical energy storage devices (EESDs). Here, the experimental and theoretical progress of 2D BP is presented on the basis of its preparation methods. The structural and physiochemical properties, air instability, passivation, and EESD applications of 2D BP are discussed systemically. Specifically, the latest research findings on utilizing 2D BP in EESDs, such as lithium‐ion batteries, supercapacitors, and emerging technologies (lithium–sulfur batteries, magnesium‐ion batteries, and sodium‐ion batteries), are summarized. On the basis of the current progress, a few personal perspectives on the existing challenges and future research directions in this developing field are provided

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Lung Cancer: Underlying Pathophysiology and New Therapeutic Modalities

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are major lung diseases affecting millions worldwide. Both diseases have links to cigarette smoking and exert a considerable societal burden. People suffering from COPD are at higher risk of developing lung cancer than those without, and are more susceptible to poor outcomes after diagnosis and treatment. Lung cancer and COPD are closely associated, possibly sharing common traits such as an underlying genetic predisposition, epithelial and endothelial cell plasticity, dysfunctional inflammatory mechanisms including the deposition of excessive extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, susceptibility to DNA damage and cellular mutagenesis. In fact, COPD could be the driving factor for lung cancer, providing a conducive environment that propagates its evolution. In the early stages of smoking, body defences provide a combative immune/oxidative response and DNA repair mechanisms are likely to subdue these changes to a certain extent; however, in patients with COPD with lung cancer the consequences could be devastating, potentially contributing to slower postoperative recovery after lung resection and increased resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Vital to the development of new-targeted therapies is an in-depth understanding of various molecular mechanisms that are associated with both pathologies. In this comprehensive review, we provide a detailed overview of possible underlying factors that link COPD and lung cancer, and current therapeutic advances from both human and preclinical animal models that can effectively mitigate this unholy relationship

Maximum sustainable yield appraisal for Indian Oil Sardine <em>Sardinella longiceps </em> in Pakistani marine waters: An update

522-528The highest and the lowest catch quantity of S. longiceps was observed in 1993, 92704 Mg, and 2010, 20127 Mg respectively, whereas average catch quantity of this fishery resource remained 44265 Mg year-1 during the study period (1990-2010). To estimate MSY we applied IP (B1/K) of 0.7 because the initial catch was about 70% of the maximum catch. For Fox model computed values of MSY, CV and R2 by using log and log-normal assumption were 21734 Mg, 0.2180, 0.841 and 27477 Mg, 0.1033 and 0.815 in that order. Calculated figures of same parameters for Schaefer model were 27609 Mg, 0.1925, 0.838 and 32665 Mg, 0.1217, 0.815 respectively, while for Pella-Tomlinson model their values were 27609 Mg, 0.2062, 0.838 and 32665 Mg, 0.1173, 0.815 correspondingly. Gamma error assumption did not produce rational results in all the three models used. Fox model appeared to be more conservative as compared to other models in terms of MSY calculation and produced higher R2 values. Obtained results suggest that fishery stock of this aquatic resource is in safe condition and therefore harvest should be kept at the current level

Constraint analysis of major problems facing the marine fisheries sector in accordance with the national fisheries policy of Pakistan

94-103Pakistan is endowed with abundant fisheries resources that have significant economic potential. Capture fisheries contribute a comparatively vital role to the national economy. However, poverty, environmental degradation and political instability are major problems for the Pakistani people, and no effective steps have been taken to handle this socioeconomically important sector efficiently in the past. Furthermore, the fisheries sector faced its own set of challenges, including the emergence of small-scale artisanal fisheries, the nonexistence of technologies, deficiency of institutional development, an absence of infrastructure, insufficient human resource skill, and a lack of responsiveness among fishing societies, all of which contributed to the sector's demise. The National Fisheries Policy (NFP) was formulated to address these problems in the fisheries sector. Potential efforts have been made by the Government of Pakistan to solve these constraints under various plans of objectives and strategy axes of the policy. Our findings indicate that despite these efforts, the fisheries sector does not show significant growth to achieve the policy goals. So, it is necessary to re-evaluate and reorient this policy for further development of this sector. It is also essential to achieve the aim of Government of Pakistan Vision 2025 to become one of the 25th largest economies in the world