Search

Aeromonas hydrophila severely hampers the farmed catfish production. A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of Andrographis paniculata leaf extract on growth, immunomodulation, and disease outbreak against A. hydrophila in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. A total of 180 juveniles of P. hypophthalmus (avg. wt. 123.33 ± 1.8 g) were distributed randomly in four groups following a completely randomized design in triplicate. Four experimental diets—C (no extract), T1 (1%), T2 (2%), and T3 (4%)—were prepared and fed twice daily. Growth metrics were calculated after 45 days and challenged with A. hydrophila. Relative percentage survival (RPS) was recorded over 15 days postchallenge. Results indicated that A. paniculata extract has a positive effect on hematobiochemical parameters and immune response. The highest (P < 0.05) pre- and postchallenge serum lysozyme activity, respiratory burst activity, and globulin level were found in the T2 group and lowest in the T0 group. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentage weight gain and SGR and lowest FCR were found in the T2 group than in the other groups. RPS was highest (P < 0.05) in the T2 group, followed by the T1 and T3 groups, compared to the control. Results suggest that A. paniculata leaf extract at a level of 2% could improve growth, immunity, and disease resistance against A. hydrophila by enhancing innate immunity in P. hypophthalmus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the functional attributes of the automated serials control systems of the libraries in seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and provide a comparative analysis. Design/methodology/approach: Features of the serials control modules of the library management systems (LMSs) in use in the central libraries of the IITs are thoroughly studied by logging into the respective systems. Findings: The paper finds that five IITs are using LibSys and two use Virtua and Troodon for their LMS. Virtua covers most of the functional attributes that comply with the international standards, LibSys has tried to incorporate the core functionality of serials control although the compliance of standards is limited, but Troodon is lagging behind. Originality/value: The recommended attributes of the automated serials control system will definitely act as guidelines for the libraries of the IITs to upgrade their existing systems and the developers of the respective library management system software will also take the necessary initiative to make their system fool-proof by resolving the identified drawbacks. (Contains 7 tables and 2 figures.)

Ab initio investigation of the spectroscopic constants, bond dissociation energies of germanium monohalides, germanium dihalides and their ionic systems, viz. GeX, GeX−, GeX+, GeX2, GeX2− and GeX2+ (X = F, Cl, Br and I) have been carried out using correlation consistent triple-zeta basis sets for F and Cl and similar triple-zeta basis sets with RECPs for Ge, Br and I atoms. Geometry and frequency of all the neutral and ionic systems of germanium halides are obtained using MP2, CCSD(T) and QCISD(T) methods. The energetics are obtained at the CCSD(T)//MP2, QCISD(T)//MP2, CCSD(T) and QCISD(T) levels. Electron affinity (EA) and ionization potential (IP) of the monohalides and dihalides are reported to be consistent with the data available in literature. The bond dissociation energies (BDEs) to various dissociation asymptotes for most of the ionic systems are to be reported new in literature. The BDEs of the neutral germanium dihalides GeX2 are calculated by using the BDEs of GeX2− and GeX2+ ions and EA and IP of the associated neutral systems. A good agreement is found between the calculated values and the data wherever available. The BDEs of GeX2 for higher halogen member are reported to be new in literature. The enthalpies of formation for atomization and ionization of the neutral GeX2 dihalides are also reported here. The enthalpies of ionization are reported first time in literature and found consistent with other group IV dihalides. The reported molecular properties may be helpful to understand the chemistry involved in the plasma-assisted fabrication process of the Ge-based modern microelectronic devices, as well as will serve as a future reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass seed production of giant freshwater prawn; Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man, 1879) is a common practice for the last seven years in Contai-III of Purba Medinipur district; West Bengal, India, which imparts immense value in prawn farming. The present study was selected to find out the viability of new techniques. Primary field data from the prawn farmers was collected and mass seed production activity was studied in selected 10 ponds. Important physico-chemical parameters of water in ponds (P1- P10) were analyzed fortnightly in order to find out their co-relation with the production of post larvae. Ranges of water quality parameters throughout the study period (120 days) were studied for freshwater prawn larvae. Mean temperature (29.76±0.51)°C, D.O (4.01±0.11) mg/l, pH (8.08±0.12), salinity (11.96±0.42) ppt, alkalinity (138±2.18) mg/l, NH4-N (0.062±0.019) mg/l, NO2-N (0.26±0.098) mg-1, NO3-N (0.43±0.14) mg/l in ten experimental ponds were recorded. Mass larval culture experiments were carried out from naturally collected berried females or cultured berried female from other areas. Survival rate at post larval stages was 7.11-44.44%, which significantly varied from each other (P<0.05). The larval cycle completed within 20-25 days. Among 10 experimental ponds, the seed (Post Larvae) production varied from 15,00,000 (P2) to 2, 40,000(P9) per 0.1 ha. The net income varied from 1.48 - 10.30 lakh from 0.1 ha pond. The low input seed production process followed is highly suitable for small-scale farmers and can be an alternative to collection of wild post larvae from nature meet the demand of seed for culture as well as reduce resultant collateral damage to biodiversity while collecting seed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In prospective randomised fashion 72 patients were selected for treatment and were assigned to one of three groups: Groups M, I, and P and treated by manipulation under anaesthesia(M), peri-articular injection (I) and by physiotherapy (P) and results were compared. Though the efficacy of different methods are comparable, but groups M and I have better outcome than group P.

Treatment of unstable fractures of distal tibia using minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) techniques may minimise soft tissue Injury and damage to the vascular integrity of the fracture fragments. The results of 20 patients treated by MIPO for closed fractures of distal tibia are reported. Their mean age was 42 years (range: 22-68 years).The mean time to full weight-bearing was 16 weeks (range: 12-20 weeks) and to union was 24 weeks (range: 18-28 weeks). MIPO is an effective treatment for closed, unstable fractures of the distal tibia, avoiding the complications associated with more traditional methods of Internal fixation and/or external fixation.