Extraction techniques and industrial applications of jatropha curcas

The fact that Jatropha curcas oil cannot be used for nutritional purposes without detoxification makes its useful as energy or fuel source, which will improve the domestic economy and provide job opportunities particularly in rural areas, where mechanical pressing is currently the most extensively used process to extract oil from seed. In this context, the main goal of this study is to provide a summary of several studies dealing with the currently employed oil extraction technologies, the physicochemical properties of bio-oils obtained from J. curcas, and the potential uses of Jatropha oil. The aim is to shed light on the main differences among the four types of oil extraction techniques currently employed and to highlight their most appropriate applications. If tapped efficaciously, then these techniques could prove to be extremely helpful in these days of power and environmental crises

The effect of varying dietary protein level on the growth, food conversion, protein utilization and body composition of tropical catfish Mystus nemurus (C. and V.) cultured in static pond water system

Tropical catfish, Mystus nemurus (C. & V.) (25.89 ± 0.7 g) were stocked semi-intensively in 0.03-ha earthen ponds at the rate of 10 000 ha”-1 and fed six iso-energetic practical diets ranging from 27% to 50% protein for 8 weeks. Each diet was fed in three replicate ponds twice daily to satiation. Experimental fish were also reared extensively, in control ponds, without supplementary feed. Fish fed the 42% protein diet had the highest standing crop, weight gain and protein utilization values and the differences from other diets were statistically significant (P > 0.05). Protein efficiency ratio (PER) decreased as dietary protein increased. The experiment indicated that natural food organisms contributed to some degree if not significantly to the catfish production. Weight gain, food conversion ratio (FCR). PER and SGR (specific growth rate) indicated that a 42% protein diet with digestible protein-to-energy ratio (D/E) of 27.57 mg kj_1 produced maximum growth in the static pond system

Disentangling the Taxonomy of the Mahseers (Tor spp.) of Malaysia: An Integrated Approach Using Morphology, Genetics and Historical Records

The establishment of appropriate taxonomic designations is essential for the effective management of fishery resources. Despite over a century of explorations and research, the cyprinid genus Tor represents a group of large-bodied freshwater fishes whose taxonomy and systematics remains poorly known. While five species of Tor are currently listed as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List, a further five out of 18 species currently recognized are assessed as “data deficient,” with at least one undescribed species, believed to be on the brink of extinction (i.e., the Humpback Mahseer endemic to the Cauvery River in India). Tor mahseers represent a suitable model for the application of an integrated approach using morphology, genetics, and historical records to resolve species identities, where one or more of these fundamental approaches may have been deficient in the past. Focusing specifically on the taxonomy and nomenclature of the Tor species recorded from Peninsular Malaysia, one of the aims of this review is to define the identity of two nominal species, T. tambra and T. tambroides. Original descriptions of these two nominal species contain little or practically no characters to distinguish them, and partly explains why secondary literature fails to conclusively determine species boundaries. A phylogenetic analysis of mahseer specimens from this region, based on publicly available and newly sequenced mitochondrial COX1 genes, does not support species designation based on previously established morphological features. More importantly, multiple tree-based species delimitation approaches showed that previously sequenced T. tambroides from Peninsular Malaysia and the newly described Tor species from Vietnam could not be delimited from the topotypic Tor tambra. A wider investigation of mahseer taxonomy covering all of Southeast Asia, using such an integrated approach is recommended to resolve the ambiguous taxonomy and is of profound importance for the conservation and management of exploited and farmed populations of these highly valued and iconic fish

Regulatory T Cells Suppress T Cell Activation at the Pathologic Site of Human Visceral Leishmaniasis

Suppression of T cell response is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Regulatory T cell (Treg) mediated immune-suppression is reported in animal models of Leishmania infection. However, their precise role among human patients still requires pathologic validation. The present study is aimed at understanding the frequency dynamics and function of Treg cells in the blood and bone marrow (BM) of VL patients. The study included 42 parasitologically confirmed patients, 17 healthy contact and 9 normal bone marrow specimens (NBM). We show i) the selective accumulation of Treg cells at one of the disease inflicted site(s), the BM, ii) their in vitro expansion in response to LD antigen and iii) persistence after successful chemotherapy. Results indicate that the Treg cells isolated from BM produces IL-10 and may inhibit T cell activation in IL-10 dependent manner. Moreover, we observed significantly higher levels of IL-10 among drug unresponsive patients, suggesting their critical role in suppression of immunity among VL patients. Our results suggest that IL-10 plays an important role in suppression of host immunity in human VL and possibly determines the efficacy of chemotherapy

Mapping on slope seepage problem using Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI)

The stability of slope may influenced by several factors such as its geomaterial properties, geometry and environmental factors. Problematic slope due to seepage phenomenon will influenced the slope strength thus promoting to its failure. In the past, slope seepage mapping suffer from several limitation due to cost, time and data coverage. Conventional engineering tools to detect or mapped the seepage on slope experienced those problems involving large and high elevation of slope design. As a result, this study introduced geophysical tools for slope seepage mapping based on electrical resistivity method. Two spread lines of electrical resistivity imaging were performed on the slope crest using ABEM SAS 4000 equipment. Data acquisition configuration was based on long and short arrangement, schlumberger array and 2.5 m of equal electrode spacing interval. Raw data obtained from data acquisition was analyzed using RES2DINV software. Both of the resistivity results show that the slope studied consists of three different anomalies representing top soil (200 – 1000 Ωm), perched water (10 – 100 Ωm) and hard/dry layer (> 200 Ωm). It was found that seepage problem on slope studied was derived from perched water zones with electrical resistivity value of 10 – 100 Ωm. Perched water zone has been detected at 6 m depth from the ground level with varying thickness at 5 m and over. Resistivity results have shown some good similarity output with reference to borehole data, geological map and site observation thus verified the resistivity results interpretation. Hence, this study has shown that the electrical resistivity imaging was applicable in slope seepage mapping which consider efficient in term of cost, time, data coverage and sustainability

Growth characteristics of 'ikan merah', Lutjanus argentimaculatus (forskal) in Malaysian waters

Growth characteristics of 'ikan merah' (red snapper) were estimated using length frequency data. The von Bertalanffy growth constants tor this species. were k - 0.187. L .= 87.6 cm standard length (S.L.) and to =0.0437 yrs. Six age groups were Identified which are believed to represent 2nd to 7th year classes. The length-weight relationship was also give

Utilization of 3D visual effect crossing facility to enhance pedestrian safety

Pedestrian is known as vulnerable road user, therefore proper crossing facility is needed to enhance the pedestrians’ safety. This study is to determine the effect of using 3D visual crossing facility inside the campus and its functionality. This 3D visual effect crossing facility is installed at selected location. The location selection is based on the absence of crossing facility, pedestrian volume and spot speed study. Pedestrian volume was collected by manually while spot speed study was collected using speed gun Apps. The 3D visual effect road crossing then is designed by using the perspective view from the driver height sight. After the installation of road crossing, the hypothesis is tested using chi-square analysis to determine the association between the effect on 85th percentile speed, pedestrians’ behaviour and the 3D visual effect crossing facility. The results of chi-square analysis shows there is a significant (p<0.05) association between speed of vehicles and the installation of 3D visual crossing facility. The results of the analysis revealed that before the installation, the percentage of motorists slow down is 39.7% while the motorists that do not slow down is 66.7%. After 1 week installation, the drivers that do not slow down the speed decrease from 59.52% to 40.48%. As a result, the effect of 3D visual crossing facility shows that the motorists will slow down their vehicle speed, immediately after the installation. However, after familiar with the presence of this facility some motorists are driving as usual without concern to anymore