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Based on recently collected material and records in the literature, 14 species of fiddler crabs (Crustacea: Ocypodidae: Gelasiminae) are reported from Vietnam. DNA barcoding analyses using the mitochondrial gene COI (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) was performed to identify examined materials and their precise distributional range. Thirteen species-level taxa are identified and, with the exception of Galsimus borealis and G. vocans, have minimum interspcific divergences of at least 7.27%. The identified species include seven species of Tubuca Bott, 1973, three of Austruca Bott, 1973 and three of Gelasimus Latreille, 1817, and one Paraleptuca Bott, 1973. Two new records of Vietnam are herein reported: Tubuca rhizophorae and T. dussumieri. The southernmost distribution limits of East Asian G. borealis, T. acuta and T. arcuata are in northern Vietnam, A. lactea in central Vietnam, whereas northernmost limit of Southeast Asian T. rhizophorae and T. forcipata in southern Vietnam. A dichotomous key to identify the 14 Vietnamese species is provided.

Asparagus racemosus plant fresh root sample was screened for phytochemical constituents that were found to be effective against E.coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus with zone of inhibition of 16mm, 15mm, and 14mm. The Green synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV (Peak at 445nm confirmed the presence of silver nanoparticles), FTIR (The N-H and C-O stretching of the aromatic amine groups with the peak at 1631.78cm-1, 1400.32cm-1, 1080. 14cm-1 indicated the presence of silver nanoparticles), XRD (confirmed the crystal structure of the silver nanoparticles),HR-SEM (Spherical shaped nanoparticles ranging from 32.6nm to 150nm). Molecular docking analysis using iGEMDOCK of phytoligands against target glycoprotein for anti-cancer (30WJ), anti-inflammatory (4COX),the anti-bacterial (3UX) and antiviral (GP120) activities were performed and bioactive compound Shatavarin exhibited best antibacterial (-107.944), anti-cancer (-118.366), antiviral (-107.169), anti-inflammatory (-172.98) activities. ADME screening was performed for drug worthiness of the phytoligands of Asparagus racemosus which also confirms to Lipinski rule 5. The phyto ligand Shatavarin is a notable drug candidate for further analysis.

While it has been demonstrated that acute resistance exercise (RE) alters measures of wave reflection and aortic arterial stiffness in young, healthy individuals, limited research has evaluated sex differences. Accordingly, we recruited moderately active, resistance-trained men (Age: 22 ± 3yrs, n=12) and women (23 ± 3yrs, n=10) to perform two randomized conditions consisting of an acute bout of weight machine RE or a quiet control (CON). Measures of aortic wave reflection and aortic stiffness were taken at baseline and 15 minutes following the RE (Recovery). At baseline, women had significantly higher heart rate (p = 0.05) and lower brachial systolic blood pressure (p = 0.009) compared to men. There were no significant three-way interactions for any variable. Significant condition by time interactions were noted for heart rate (Baseline: 65 ± 10bpm, Recovery: 87 ± 13bpm, p = 0.001), brachial systolic blood pressure (Baseline: 116 ± 9mmHg, Recovery: 123 ± 10mmHg, p = 0.014), and the augmentation index (AIx) normalized at 75bpm (Baseline: 7.7 ± 12.8%, Recovery: 15.5 ± 9.5%, p = 0.002) such that Recovery was augmented compared to Baseline following RE but not CON. There was also a significant main effect of time for augmentation pressure (Baseline: 4.1 ± 4.0mmHg, Recovery: 4.0 ± 3.6mmHg, p = 0.04) such that it decreased from Baseline to Recovery following RE but not the CON. There were no significant effects of sex, condition, or time on aortic arterial stiffness. Men and women have similar responses in measures of aortic wave reflection and aortic arterial stiffness following acute RE using weight machines.

Weeds are a serious problem farmer’s face in tropical Africa, which significantly reduces yield. Field trials were conducted from September 2013 to September 2014 to determine the appropriate relative time of planting of legumes in cassava cropping system for optimum weed suppression. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Treatments consisted of combinations of three relative times of planting for each of the three legumes (cowpea, soybean, and groundnut). One sole crop each of the legumes and cassava was added for comparison. The results indicated that early introduction of the legume (intercrop) into the cassava showed efficient weed control. The late introduction of the legume (intercrop) into the cassava decreased cassava yield whilst early introduction of the legume into the cassava increased cassava yield. Results from the study also revealed that the relative time of planting did not show any significant difference among the legume grain yield. However, late introduction of the cassava into the intercrop resulted in the highest grain yield. Key words: Weeds, cassava, legumes, cropping system, relative planting times.

Crustaceans were among the most valuable fishery resources in Hong Kong. However, the unrestricted and intensive use of different fishing gears, especially bottom trawling, has led to the depletion of commercially important crustaceans in Hong Kong since the 1980s. This study investigated whether commercial crustaceans recovered after the implementation of a permanent Hong Kong-wide trawl ban that began on December 31, 2012. Standardized field surveys were conducted using a commercial shrimp trawler at two sites in eastern and western waters of Hong Kong before (2004) and after the trawl ban (2013–2014 and 2015–2016) and two sites in southern waters after the trawl ban. Diversity, mean size, abundance, biomass and level of disturbance of commercial crustaceans from the three periods were investigated. The eastern waters exhibited an increased diversity of crustacean assemblages in Inner Tolo, and a higher abundance and biomass of crabs were detected in Outer Tolo after the trawl ban. Reduced disturbance, higher diversity in crustacean assemblages and greater abundance and biomass of predatory crabs were observed after the trawl ban in the outer estuary of western waters, and increased abundance and biomass of shrimp were detected in the inner estuary of western waters. No temporal or negative changes were detected in the southeast and southern waters of Lamma Island. The various responses of crustacean assemblages in Hong Kong waters revealed the critical role of complex interactions among multiple stresses, such as ongoing reclamation works, illegal trawling activities and increased fishing efforts using other (legal) fishing methods.

The pilumnid crab Pilumnopeus convexus (Maccagno, 1936), native to the Arabian Sea and western Indian Ocean, has been discovered among intertidal fouling communities along shores of Hong Kong. The species was first discovered in 2011 and is believed to have become established by around 2016. Material from local sites was compared with specimens from Iran and Pakistan, and the identification was supported by molecular analyses using mtDNA COI gene sequences. This species is not yet known from East and Southeast Asia, and was probably transported to Hong Kong by international maritime shipping, likely in the ballast water or on the hulls of ships, and subsequently survived as a non-indigenous species (NIS). This represents the first case of west-to-east invasion of brachyuran crabs from the Indian Ocean reaching sub-tropical East Asia. Past studies on the local intertidal fauna, and documentations of NIS, are briefly discussed.

Recently a huge chunk of the population has shifted towards shower gels. The biggest reason might be the fact that shower gels can provide a better care for the skin. They were made with the motive of providing gentle cleansing and moisturizing qualities contrary to that of a regular soap, so that the people can enjoy a better skin care experience. Shower gels generally use chemicals especially sodium lauryl sulfate and betaines. These are believed to cause skin irritation and may not be washed off properly especially in hard water. The recent shower gels have a combined scrubbing effect included along with the scented or flavored body wash. For the scrubbing activity microbeads are employed. These microbeads used as a scrubber are polymers, e.g. being polyethylene or nylon etc. We know how plastics are harmful to us and the environment. And this is a cause of major concern. And since it is small in size it makes it relatively dangerous. Microbeads, because of their small size, have a large surface area by volume which allows them to accumulate highly toxic materials which are toxic to the person and the environment. To overcome the menace of microbeads we propose an alternative