Optimisation of stocking density of Thai silver barb (Barbodes gonionotus Bleeker) in the duckweed-fed four species polyculture system

The optimisation of stocking density of Thai silver barb (Barbodes gonionotus) in the polyculture with Labeo rohita, Catla cat/a and Cyprinus cmpio was investigated in seasonal ponds. Three different stocking densities of Thai silver barb i.e., 5,000, 6,000 and 7,000 fingerlings ha-1 were tested with stocking density of carps fixed at the rate of 10,000 fingerlings ha-1 Duckweed was applied to all ponds supplemented with rice bran and oil cake. There were no significant variations on either water quality parameters or abundance of planktonic organisms due to the different stocking densities of silver barb. A significantly higher fish production (p<O.OS) was recorded in the ponds in which medium stocking density of Thai silver barb was maintained

Serum levels of Cardiac troponin I, creatine kinase in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hytpertensive co-mobidity in Uduth, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) are co-morbid conditions that may predispose to atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the serum levels of Cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and Hypertension. Materials and methods: A case -control study was conducted at Department of Medicine, endocrinology unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, from June 2015 to February 2016. A total of 180 subjects were recruited for the study and categorized into three groups. 60 patients diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension, 60 patients diagnosed with diabetes and 60 apparently healthy individuals were included in this study. Blood specimens were collected and processed from all group participants. Serum cardiac troponin I (CTnI) was analyzed using ELISA method, total Creatine Kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) was measured using IFCC reference procedure and plasma fasting plasma glucose levels were measured using enzymatic glucose oxidase method. Results: Twenty three 23(19%) of the subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus studied had increased CTnI levels above the 99th percentile (1.3ng/mL). Significant increase in CTnI was observed among participants with DM and HTN co-morbidity. In addition, the diabetic groups had significantly increase levels of total CK and CK-MB (p=0.001) compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation existed between CTnI, total CK and CK-MB (r-value 0.450, 0.569, p&lt;0.01), and with CTnI and FPG (rvalue 0.160, p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The study suggests increased levels of CTnI and CKMB above safe values which may be a pointer to silent myocardial injury. Key words: Cardiac troponin I; Creatine kinase; Diabetes mellitus; Hypertension

The Motorcycle Design Parameter Database (MDPD) for Different Motorcycle Models

AbstractGlobally, motorcycle road accidents are increasing annually. Among the efforts in overcoming this dire scenario, motorcycle simulators were developed. The Postura MotergoTM which was developed by researchers at the Motorcycle Engineering Technology Lab (METAL) is an example of such simulators. The Postura MotergoTM has a unique capability in replicating various riding postures according to the Riding Posture Classification (RIPOC) system. However, there is the need for a novel database that gives information on the workstation design parameters of various motorcycles. Hence, a specifically built mannequin (the D5EM110N) was developed as a tool to measure various workstation dimensions on actual motorcycles. As of April 2015, the mannequin's design is being filed for an intellectual property (IP) protection. The motorcycles’ design parameters which were collected via the D5EM110N mannequin was then tabulated into the Motorcycle Design Parameter Database (MDPD). The database is then could be utilized to set up the Postura MotergoTM to accurately replicate the desired motorcycle model's workstation design parameters. This is vital in ensuring that the motorcycle simulator could accurately simulate an immersive user experience to the subject in utilizing the desired motorcycle model. By having this novel database and mannequin design, researchers have greater opportunity in conducting various studies in a controlled laboratory setting with respect to motorcycle workstation designs and its possible connection with road accidents

Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT): an improved sensitivity distribution using two-differential excitation technique

In this study, we propose the use of the two-differential potential excitation technique in an Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) system to improve: (1) the non-uniform sensitivity distribution caused by the non-uniform potential distribution in the central area; and (2) the nonlinear relation between capacitance and material permittivity. A simulation of a 16-segmented ECT system is developed using COMSOL Multiphysics to observe the changes of the inter-electrodes capacitances and the permittivity of the dielectric material when two differential excitation potentials are injected. Generated phantoms and measured values are presented. An experiment using the real system is also carried out to verify the simulations results. By using this technique, it was shown that the relationship between the capacitances measured from inter-electrodes and the permittivity became more linear. In addition, potential distribution is increased in the central area indicating an increase in the sensitivity distribution in the central area. The use of this technique increases the level of detected signals and improves the SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) as compared to those achieved using standard single-voltage source methods

Differentiation of ripe and unripe fruit flour using mineral composition data—Statistical assessment

Data on the mineral composition and content of one heavy metal measured in three different fruit flours prepared from ripe and unripe fruits (pulp and peel) are presented. The mineral composition (sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn)) and content of one heavy metal (lead (Pb)) of the flours were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The analysis showed that the data can be used for differentiation between different fruits and stages of ripeness, as revealed by discriminant analysis and cluster analysis. The data provided can be used by researchers and scientists in the differentiation of fruits based on major and minor mineral elements

The fate of carbon in a mature forest under carbon dioxide enrichment

Atmospheric carbon dioxide enrichment (eCO2) can enhance plant carbon uptake and growth1 5, thereby providing an important negative feedback to climate change by slowing the rate of increase of the atmospheric CO2 concentration6. Although evidence gathered from young aggrading forests has generally indicated a strong CO2 fertilization effect on biomass growth3 5, it is unclear whether mature forests respond to eCO2 in a similar way. In mature trees and forest stands7 10, photosynthetic uptake has been found to increase under eCO2 without any apparent accompanying growth response, leaving the fate of additional carbon fixed under eCO2 unclear4,5,7 11. Here using data from the first ecosystem-scale Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiment in a mature forest, we constructed a comprehensive ecosystem carbon budget to track the fate of carbon as the forest responded to four years of eCO2 exposure. We show that, although the eCO2 treatment of +150 parts per million (+38 per cent) above ambient levels induced a 12 per cent (+247 grams of carbon per square metre per year) increase in carbon uptake through gross primary production, this additional carbon uptake did not lead to increased carbon sequestration at the ecosystem level. Instead, the majority of the extra carbon was emitted back into the atmosphere via several respiratory fluxes, with increased soil respiration alone accounting for half of the total uptake surplus. Our results call into question the predominant thinking that the capacity of forests to act as carbon sinks will be generally enhanced under eCO2, and challenge the efficacy of climate mitigation strategies that rely on ubiquitous CO2 fertilization as a driver of increased carbon sinks in global forests. © 2020, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited