Role of Prebiotic, Probiotic and Symbiotic Diets on Bacterial proliferation in Feed and Intestine of African (Clarias gariepinus) Catfish

The influence of prebiotic, probiotic and symbiotic diet on microbial proliferation was studied using an in vitro method. In the present trial, formulated diets were supplemented with prebiotic (Sargassum muticum), probiotic (Parkia biglobosa) and combination of Parkia biglobosa and Sargassum muticum (symbiotic diet). Bacteria proliferation in supplemented feeds, small and large intestine of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus fed the formulated diets were evaluated. The feeding trial that lasted 12 weeks was conducted in plastic aquaria, with each treatment replicated three times. A control diet containing only the feed ingredients was also formulated and fed for the same period. The result showed bacteria proliferation was lowest in the control diet and highest in feed supplemented with prebiotic. Low bacteria proliferation was observed in the small intestine of fish fed symbiotic diet while highest proliferation was recorded in the fish fed prebiotic diet. The result also revealed the lowest bacteria proliferation in the large intestine of fish fed symbiotic diet and highest in fish fed probiotic diet. Using the cell morphology and biochemical characteristics of bacteria isolates in supplemented feed, Clarias gariepinus small and large intestine, the result indicated the presence of some Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) known to produce a variety of antimicrobial substances which are able to stop the development of foodborne diseases by inhibiting the growth of food spoilage and pathogenic organisms

Study on the development of electromagnetic two speed gearbox for EV

Electric drive vehicle uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for a propulsion. A multispeed electric vehicle (EV) transmission adds weight, complicacy, and friction reduce the vehicle traction efficiency. Among epicyclic transmission (ET) with a single motor gear shifter or manual transmission or automatic transmission (AT) and continuously variable transmission (CVT), the ET is a complex transmission because most of the driver doesn’t know properly the transmission option. The efficiency of the gearbox is an important factor of the inverter and driving manner. The aim of this study is to develop of electromagnetic 2-speed gearbox (EM-2SGB), which would contribute on the reduction of the vehicle transmission losses from 15% to 5%. This proposed 2-speed gearbox would be able to improve the vehicle transmission shift quality and acceleration time in 250 ms to reach the speed of 35 km/h in 15% road gradient. The lighter and compact energy efficient EM-2SGB is expected to increase the vehicle overall performance about 25%

Modelling and simulation of electric drive vehicle based on space vector modulation technique and field oriented control strategy

Recently, the electric vehicle has emerged as a powerful platform for mitigating energy crisis and reducing environmental pollution in the transportation sector. The major drawbacks of electrically powered automobile that limits its competitiveness with the internal combustion engine counterpart are the vehicle driving range and battery energy capacity. Hence, limited energy storage warrants the need for an effective and efficient energy utilisation in the overall system. This paper uses Field Oriented Control algorithm and Space Vector Modulation technique to enhance and to optimise energy saving at the same time improve the vehicle induction motor efficiency. A simple electric vehicle drive with vehicle dynamic and tractive loads for motor driving load were modelled and simulated using Matlab/Simulink. Simulation results show that modelled vehicle speed satisfied the acceleration index for the electric vehicle

Reproductive biology, diet and feeding pattern of longtail tuna Thunnus tonggol (Bleeker, 1851) in the north-eastern Arabian Sea off Gujarat, India

Longtail tuna Thunnus tonggol (Bleeker, 1851) is the major tuna resource in the neritic realms of the northern Arabian Sea and forms considerable fishery in the coastal nations in the region. Gujarat, on the north-west coast is the major province landing longtail tuna in India. The paper attempts to add to the hitherto sparse knowledge base on biology of the longtail tuna fished along the north-west coast of India, through a study spanning from 2011 to 2015. Reproductive biology, spawning, food and feeding dynamisms of the species were investigated. Sex ratio of the species was estimated as 1:2.1 and depicted an increase in male preponderance as the size increased. The fish attains maturity at 607 mm and it spawns during summer months starting from May. The fish is typically a non-selective feeder and over 22 taxa comprising of fishes, cephalopods and crustaceans formed the diet at varying rates over the year. Variation in feeding intensity at different reproductive stages is discussed besides the constraint posed by the large presence of unidentifiable, partially digested gut content

PRODUCTION OF GRAPHITE ELECTRODES BINDER FROM IRAQI ASPHALT

Basrah crude oil Vacuum residue 773+ K with specific gravity 1.107 and 4.87wt. % sulfur, was treated with hexane commercial fraction provided from Al-Taji Gas Company for preparing deasphaltened oil(DAO)suitable for hydrotreating process. Deasphaltening was carried out with 1h mixing time, 10ml:1g solvent to oil ratio and at room temperature. Hexane deasphaltened oil was hydrotreated on presulfied commercial Co-Mo/ 2 3 g − Al O catalyst in a trickle bed reactor. The hydrotreating process was carried out at temperature 660 K,LHSV 1.3 h –1, H2/oil ratio 300 l/l and constant pressure of 4MPa. The hydrotreated product was distillated under vacuum distillation unit. It is found that the mixture of 75% of vacuum residue with 25% anthracene satisfies with requirements for graphite electrodes binder

PHYSICAL ADSORPTION OF REFORMING CATALYST BYNITROGEN

Physical adsorption by nitrogen gas was studied on seven commercial platinum reforming catalysts (RG-402, RG-412, RG-432, RG-451, RG 422,RG-482, PS-10), four prepared platinum catalysts (0.1%Pt/alumina, 0.2 %Pt/alumina, 0.45 %Pt/alumina and 0.55% Pt/alumina), and -alumina support. Physical adsorption was carried out by using Accelerated Surface Area and Porosimetry (ASAP 2400 device) at 77 K . The results indicate that the surface area in genaral decreases with increasing platinum percentage,high platinum loaded (0.45% and 0.55%) it was found that the percent increasing in surface area was lower than those obtained for low platinum loaded catalysts , and at very higher platinum loading 0.6 %Pt , some reduction in surface area was observed . The precipitation of Re and Ir metals with 0.35 % and 0.6 % platinum increases the surface area , while precipitation of 0.57% Sn with 0.375% Pt/ -alumina deceases the surface area catalyst

Catalytic conversion of furfural extract from lubricating oil extraction unit over the shaped and promoted HY catalysts to valuable petroleum products

Catalytic conversion of a furfural extract from the extraction unit of lubricating oil to valuable products was investigated over the shaped HY extrudates using bentonite as binder (HY/bentonite) and zinc and nickel promoted HY/bentonite catalyst (Zn-Ni-HY/bentonite) in a bench scale fixed bed reactor. The catalysts were characterized by XRF, XRD, SEM and nitrogen adsorption-desorption. At 550 °C and LHSV of 9.2 h-1, 7.3 wt% gasoline was yielded over HY/bentonite catalyst, which was significantly increased (ca. 42%) over Zn-Ni-HY/bentonite catalyst. Besides, notably enhanced yield of light and heavy naphtha, kerosene, gas oil and lubricating oil can be distilled from the overall liquid products over Zn-Ni-HY/bentonite catalyst (90.5 wt%) than over HY/bentonite catalyst (77.6 wt%). The obtained petroleum products with the satisfied characteristics can be blended after hydrodesulfurization processing

Ecological impacts of tuna fisheries of Lakshadweep, the archipelagic territory of India situated in the Central Indian Ocean

Lakshadweep islands are an archipelagic territory of India situated some 200 nautical miles away in the eastern Arabian Sea off the South-West coast of India on the northern part of the Chagos Ridge. Oceanic situation of these atolls make them a haven for the oceanic resources like tunas and tuna like fishes. Similar to the Maldives, the adjacent island nation, tuna fishing have been the mainstay of the economy of this island group with a population of less than one lakh against land area of 32 sq.km. This is the only territory under India where pole and line fishing for skipjack tuna is in existence for a long time

Prevalence of prediabetes, diabetes, and Its associated risk factors among males in Saudi Arabia: A population-based survey

Objectives: The study aims at determining the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes and at ascertaining some concomitant risk factorsamong males in Saudi Arabia.Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study including 381 Saudi adult males from different institutions was recruited. Odds ratios for diabetes risk and risk factors were calculated using log-binomial and multinomial logistic regression, using STATA version 12.Results: The participants included 381 diabetic males with a median age of 45 years, average body mass index of 25 ± 40 kg/m2, whereas waist circumferences ranged from 66 to 180 cm in the male study population. In addition, 27.82% had normal BMI, 32.28% were overweight, and 36.22% were obese. Around 36% had higher waist circumference, that is, \u3e102 cm. Age, BMI, marital status, and educational attainment were statistically significant predictors for prediabetes and diabetes.Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes was 9.2% and 27.6%, respectively, for male Al-Kharj study population. The factors that increase the risk of diabetes and prediabetes include older age, obesity and overweight, being married, smoker, and having a civilian job and less education. All these factors were found statistically significant except smoking status and job type. In order to evaluate the causal relationship of these factors, prospective studies are required in future

Marine Fisheries Policy Series No.12; Lakshadweep Livebait Fisheries Management Plan

Lakshadweep islands being atolls situated in the midst of oceanic waters is unique with respect to the marine biodiversity and fish wealth. The waters are replete with high value oceanic resources like the tuna and tuna like fishes. Historically, the islanders have been tapping these resources using traditional fishing methods. The island group boasts of being the only territory in the country where pole and line, a one-by-one fishing method is practiced. Low impacts on the stock and high selectivity make the pole and line method a highly sustainable one. Local ownership and shorter duration of fishing are few other uniqueness of the fishery in Lakshadweep. Though, over the years, there has been progresses in fishing sector with respect to mechanisation; craft size and amenities on-board, marketing strategies etc., the fishery is still rooted to the sustainability principles. Hence, the islands possess immense potential for developing the fisheries sector on the strengths of its sustainability quotient to provide enhanced income to the fishers and quality job to its youth. Livebait is an essential part of pole and line fishing for tunas. Since, the livebaits are collected from the reef system; the harvest of these species should also be guided by the sustainability principles; ensuring low impact on the stock and continuity of other ecosystem services by these fishes. Hence, close monitoring of the livebait fisheries is essential and the fishery need to be managed based on scientific acumen. The CMFRI have been providing guidelines and policy briefs to the maritime states for development of fishery management plans. These briefs are made based on scientific data generated by the Institute over the years through close observation of the fisheries in each state. The Institute have accumulated information on the fisheries of Lakshadweep through the Minicoy Research Centre and other projects over the years. A fisheries management plan project for Lakshadweep has been in place since 2017 for continued monitoring of the fishery, data generation and preparation of management guidance in due course. The Lakshadweep Livebait Fisheries Management Plan (LLFMP) is one of the outputs of the project and intends to rationalise the bait fisheries of the islands based on the scientific information available. The Plan lists actionable points with the responsible entity and time frame to achieve the set goals under each overarching objective. It also provides administrative, legal and institutional requirements for the successful rolling out of the Plan. The Plan has been reviewed through focus meetings at the institute and consultations with the Administration and the public. The Plan, when formalised and enforced by the Administration will increase the sustainability quotient of the Lakshadweep tuna fisheries, benefiting the ecosystem and the fishery in a large way