Dolphin landings

A female bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus measuring 225 cm and weighing 160 kg landed at Kakinada on 28 Apri

Determinants of range of motion in cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty: a prospective study

Background: Total knee replacement (TKR) is to provide a stable painless knee with adequate range of motion (ROM) for daily activities. The aim of the study is to evaluate various factors that influence ROM in cruciate retaining TKR postoperatively.Methods: Fourty four patients with osteoarthritis knee treated in our institute with TKR using cruciate retaining prosthesis are included in study and analysed prospectively. Mean follow up was 6 months. Patients are analyzed for following factors–age, gender, BMI, preoperative ROM, changes in posterior femoral condylar offset, posterior tibial slope after surgery. Statistical analysis of effect of all factors on knee ROM was done. Assessment was done preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively.Results: Gender did not affect the final ROM. Mean age of patients is 65. Age has negative correlation with ROM (p=-0.45). The mean knee range improved from 92˚ to 101˚. Factors that negatively affect ROM include, BMI (p=-0.04) and Preoperative flexion deformity (p=-0.03). Factors that positively affect ROM include, knee scores and good preoperative flexion (p=0.001). Males have good amount of flexion preoperatively and post operatively when compared to females.Conclusions: Preoperative ROM, flexion contracture and BMI are the important factors affecting the range of motion in total knee arthroplasty. Proper counselling of patient preoperatively regarding these various factors and appropriate selection of patient is of utmost important for satisfactory functional outcome

CHEMICAL SPECIATION OF Pb(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) AND Zn(II) BINARY COMPLEXES OF L-METHIONINE IN 1,2-PROPANEDIOL–WATER MIXTURES

Chemical speciation of Pb(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of L-methionine in 0.0-60 % v/v 1,2-propanediol-water mixtures maintaining an ionic strength of 0.16 M at 303 K has been studied pH metrically. The active forms of ligand are LH2+, LH and L-. The predominant species detected are ML, MLH, ML2, ML2H, ML2H2 and MLOH. Models containing different numbers of species were refined by using the computer program MINIQUAD 75. The best-fit chemical models were arrived at based on statistical parameters. The trend in variation of complex stability constants with change in the dielectric constant of the medium is explained on the basis of electrostatic and non-electrostatic forces. KEY WORDS: Complex equilibria, Chemical speciation, L-Methionine, 1,2-Propanediol, Metals Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2007, 21(3), 363-372

On the landing of bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus at Kakinada

On 28-04-1993, a dolphin measuring 225 cm in total length and weighing 160 kg was landed at Kakinada Fisheries Harbour, about 30 km north east of Kakinada

Sea erosion along the Andhra Pradesh coast

Andhra Pradesh with a coastline of around 974 km has frequently been affected by cyclones and inundated by storm surges. Sea erosion is noticed at Visakhapatnam, Bhimunipatnam and in the East and West Godavari districts. Vishakhapatnam coast is facing erosion since long specially at Ramakrishna Beach. In 2013 and 2014, the cyclones ‘Phailin’ and ‘Hudhud’ further hastened erosion of the Ramakrishna Beach, severely damaging the adjacent protection wall and road. Uppada village which is 22 kilometres away from Kakinada also faces severe erosion. The Kakinada-Uppada road is gradually disappearing due to shoreline erosion

Crafts and gear used for marine fishing along the Andhra Pradesh coast

Until the middle of nineteen sixties fishing for marine finfishes and shellfishes along the Andhra Pradesh coast used to be carried out employing indigenous non-mechanised crafts. Subsequently trawlers and later mechanised vessels operating gillnets came into use which resulted in the increased fish production. Use of outboard engine on indigenous crafts for reaching fishing grounds is a recent feature of near the coast fishing. The different kinds of non-mechanised and mechanised crafts and gear employed in the region are dealt with in this article

Long-term effects of grain legumes on rainy-season sorghum productivity in a semi-arid tropical Vertisol

In southern and central India, farmers crop Vertisols only in the post-rainy season, to avoid land management problems in the rainy season. In 1983 ICRISAT established a long-term trial seeking to intensify cropping. The trial included intercrops, sequential crops and appropriate Vertisol management technology to allow consecutive rainy-season and post-rainy season crops to be grown. Benefits provided by legumes to succeeding rainy-season sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) were analysed in relation to a non-legume system of sorghum + safflower (Carthamus tinctorius). Rainy-season sorghum grain yield production was sustained at about 2.7 t ha-1 over 12 years within a continuous sorghum-pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) intercrop system. With a cowpea-pigeonpea intercrop system, succeeding sorghum benefited each year by about 40 kg N ha-1 (fertilizer nitrogen (N) equivalent). Without N fertilizer application the sorghum grain yield was around 3.3 t ha-1. Legume benefits were less marked in the chickpea (Cicer arietinum)-based rotation than in the pigeonpea system, in which a 12-year build up of soil total N (about 125 µg g-1) was observed. Although sorghum benefited from this system, pigeonpea yields declined over time due to soil-borne fungi and nematodes. Wider rotations of crops with pigeonpea may help to overcome these problems, while sustaining sorghum production

Assessment of penaeid prawn fishery by small mechanized trawlers off Visakhapatnam, east coast of India

Study was conducted to assess penaeid prawn fishery by small mechanized trawlers along Visakhapatnam coast during 2011 to 2015. Penaeid prawn landings, fishing effort, CPH and species composition was collected from small mechanized trawlers. Expected penaeid prawn landings (t) were estimated by Schaefer production model (CEDA) based on fishing effort and penaeid prawn catch. Study discovered that there was considerable rise in fishing effort (h) (33.7%) and penaeid prawn landings (17.35%) during the study period with that of 2006-10. Drop in catch per hour (12.24%) and penaeid prawn proportion (12.39%) was registered. Mean fishing effort (h) per unit was registered as 115h and catch per hour of penaeid prawns ranged from 3.37 to 5.73 kgh-1. All in all, penaeid prawn landings accounted for 3,598 t annually and attributed to 14.8% of the total fish catch

Appraisal of penaeid prawn fishery by large mechanized trawlers (Sona boats) off Visakhapatnam, SE coast of India

Surge in fishing effort and penaeid prawn catch was recorded during the study period with that of 2006-10. Decline in Catch per Hour (CPH) and penaeid prawn ratio (%) to total fish catch was observed. Penaeid prawns accounted for 15.5% of the sona boat landings. Annually, mean penaeid prawn landings were estimated at 6,184 t. Prawn catch excelled by M. monoceros (20.5%), S. crassicornis (13.7%) and M. barbata (7.8%)