57 research outputs found

    Observations on broodstock maintenance, breeding and early larval development of the common spider conch Lambis lambis (Linnaeus, 1758) in captivity

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    Spider conches are common in shallow waters of the Indian coast. Of the eleven species reported from Indian waters, six species of the genus Lambis are categorised under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Studies on the breeding of Lambis spp. are limited Considering its importance, an attempt was made to breed the common spider conch Lambis lambis, under controlled conditions. The brooders ranged from 152-184 mm/80-400 g in size/weight. They were maintained on macroalgal diet under static as well as airlift recirculation system. The conch shells, after 4 months of maintenance, exhibited mating behaviour and laid eggs under captivity during October-December 2010. The morphology and development of the embryo within the egg filaments, hatching, embryonic and early larval development up to 35 days post-hatch (dph) is detailed and compared with the similar observation made at Majuro atoll, Marshall Islands

    Review of magnetic gear technologies and their applications in marine energy

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    The marine energy industry is in its early stages but has a large potential for growth. One of the most significant challenges is the reduction of operation and maintenance costs. Magnetic gears (MGs) offer the potential for long periods between maintenance intervals due to their frictionless torque transmission which could reduce these costs. This study presents a summary of the state of the art in MG technology and then investigates its potential for marine energy applications. A brief overview is given of the state of the marine energy industry and the environment in which marine energy converters (MECs) operate. A short history of MG development over the past century is then presented followed by a discussion of the leading MG technologies and their relative advantages. In order to demonstrate the potential of MGs in marine applications, the current technologies, i.e. mechanically geared and direct drive machines, are examined in terms of sizing, reliability and economic value using previous studies on a similar technology, namely wind. MGs are applied to four types of MECs to demonstrate how the technology can be incorporated. The potential to deploy at scale and potential obstacles to this are then discussed

    The Changes in Maternal Mortality in 1000 Counties in Mid-Western China by a Government-Initiated Intervention

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    BACKGROUND: Since 2000, the Chinese government has implemented an intervention program to reduce maternal mortality and eliminate neonatal tetanus in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals 5. To assess the effectiveness of this intervention program, we analyzed the level, trend and reasons defining the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the 1,000 priority counties before and after implementation of the intervention between 1999 and 2007. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The data was obtained from the National Maternal and Child Health Routine Reporting System. The intervention included providing basic and emergency obstetric equipment and supplies to local medical hospitals, and also included providing professional training to local obstetric doctors, development of obstetric emergency centers and "green channel" express referral networks, reducing or waiving the cost of hospital delivery, and conducting community health education. Based on the initiation time of the intervention and the level of poverty, 1,000 counties, containing a total population of 300 million, were categorized into three groups. MMR significantly decreased by about 50%, with an average reduction rate of 9.24%, 16.06%, and 18.61% per year in the three county groups, respectively. The hospital delivery rate significantly increased. Obstetric hemorrhage was the leading cause of maternal deaths and significantly declined, with an average decrease in the MMR of 11.25%, 18.03%, and 24.90% per year, respectively. The magnitude of the MMR, the average reduction rate of the MMR, and the occurrence of the leading causes of death were closely associated with the percentage of poverty. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The intervention program implemented by the Chinese government has significantly reduced the MMR in mid-western China, suggesting that well-targeted interventions could be an efficient strategy to reducing MMR in resource-poor areas. Reduction of the MMR not only depends on conducting proven interventions, but also relies on economic development in rural areas with a high burden of maternal death

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    Not AvailableSpider conches are common in shallow waters of the Indian coast. Of the eleven species reported from Indian waters, six species of the genus Lambis are categorised under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Studies on the breeding of Lambis spp. are limited Considering its importance, an attempt was made to breed the common spider conch Lambis lambis, under controlled conditions. The brooders ranged from 152-184 mm/80-400 g in size/weight. They were maintained on macroalgal diet under static as well as airlift recirculation system. The conch shells, after 4 months of maintenance, exhibited mating behaviour and laid eggs under captivity during October-December 2010. The morphology and development of the embryo within the egg filaments, hatching, embryonic and early larval development up to 35 days post-hatch (dph) is detailed and compared with the similar observation made at Majuro atoll, Marshall Islands.Not Availabl
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