bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel online identification algorithm of lithium‐ion battery parameters and model order based on a fractional order model
Authors: Sun Xiangdong , Ji Jingrun , Ren Biying , Chen Guitao , Zhang Qi
Published: April 2021

A fractional order equivalent circuit model with variable order can better reflect the internal reaction mechanism of a lithium‐ion battery, however, it is not easy to simultaneously identify the parameters and order of the fractional order model online. In this paper, based on the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the lithium‐ion battery, the FOM and its discretization are analysed in detail, and a fractional order repeated prediction recursive least square (FORPRLS) method is proposed, the approximate error of fractional derivative is corrected by the repeated identification process with changing the order, so that the parameters and order of the fractional order model can be identified online and accurately at the same time. For the second‐order RC equivalent circuit model and fractional order model, different online identification algorithms including the forgetting factor recursive least square and FORPRLS are carried out under the dynamic stress test experiment, and the predicted terminal voltages are compared with the actual measured terminal voltages to judge the identification accuracy of these algorithms. The experimental results verify that the FORPRLS algorithm is superior to the FFRLS algorithm, and the identified order can better match the reaction process of the lithium‐ion battery.
Enhanced transient response and seamless interconnection of multi‐microgrids based on an adaptive control scheme
Authors: Pasha Aisha M. , El Moursi Mohamed Shawky , Zeineldin Hatem H. , Khadkikar Vinod , El‐Saadany Ehab F. , Al Hosani Mohamed , Bendary Ahmed. F.
Published: April 2021

The interconnection of microgrids to form a network known as the multi‐microgrid (MMG) brings higher resilience and support in providing power to the loads. The dynamic response during interconnection is usually bypassed with the addition of synchro‐checkers installed on all the microgrids and the exchange of critical setting points between the microgrids prior to interconnection via a low‐bandwidth communication. This paper introduces a novel decentralized framework for maintaining the voltage and frequency of the microgrids within permissible operating range during the interconnection. The proposed control strategy is triggered when the microgrids violate the defined states of operation and the fast control action from each type of Distributed Generation (DG) in the microgrid is designed to tackle the transients in the voltage and frequency in order to regulate them within the IEEE standards. Moreover, the study is extended to evaluate the performance of interconnecting single microgrids to form MMG using the decentralized proposed control strategy and then sectionalizing the MMG back into separate autonomous microgrids. The results have been verified using PSCAD/EMTDC. The proposed control strategy demonstrates superior performance and simplicity for carrying out the energy management for interconnecting and sectionalizing of MMG without any kind of communication and synchro‐check infrastructures.
Single‐stage microinverter with current sensorless control for BIPV system
Authors: Mathew Derick , Chinnappa Naidu Rani , Wang Yue , Busawon Krishna
Published: April 2021

Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) microinverter system needs lower component counts and high efficiency at low power levels. In this context, this paper proposes a single‐phase Transformerless Single‐stage Buck‐Boost Microinverter with sensorless control for the Grid‐integrated BIPV system. The current estimation strategy is used to control the PV system, which reduces the costs and volume of the system. The leakage current of the system is reduced within the limits. It operates at a high level of efficiency, using an optimized number of active and passive components. In the absence of shoot‐through problems, reliability is high for the proposed topology. MATLAB/Simulink simulation with a laboratory experimental setup for the proposed inverter for the First Solar BIPV module is designed to validate the results. Finally, the proposed inverter was compared to different Buck‐Boost inverters at a power level of 70 W.
Weighted gene co expression network analysis (WGCNA) with key pathways and hub‐genes related to micro RNAs in ischemic stroke
Authors: Qu Xiang , Wu Shuang , Gao Jinggui , Qin Zhenxiu , Zhou Zhenhua , Liu Jingli
Published: April 2021

Ischemic stroke (IS) is one of the major causes of death and disability worldwide. However, the specific mechanism of gene interplay and the biological function in IS are not clear. Therefore, more research into IS is necessary. Dataset GSE110993 including 20 ischemic stroke (IS) and 20 control specimens are used to establish both groups and the raw RNA‐seq data were analysed. Weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to screen the key micro‐RNA modules. The centrality of key genes were determined by module membership (mm) and gene significance (GS). The key pathways were identified by enrichment analysis with Kyoto Protocol Gene and Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG), and the key genes were validated by protein‐protein interactions network. Result: Upon investigation, 1185 up‐ and down‐regulated genes were gathered and distributed into three modules in response to their degree of correlation to clinical traits of IS, among which the turquoise module show a trait‐correlation of 0.77. The top 140 genes were further identified by GS and MM. KEGG analysis showed two pathways may evolve in the progress of IS. Discussion: CXCL12 and EIF2a may be important biomarkers for the accurate diagnosis and treatment in IS.
Geometrical properties of the interaction between oblique incoming coronal waves and coronal holes
Authors: Piantschitsch I. , Terradas J.
Published: April 2021

Observations of coronal waves (CWs) interacting with coronal holes (CHs) show the formation of typical wave-like features, such as reflected, refracted and transmitted waves (collectively, secondary waves). In accordance with these observations, numerical evidence for the wave characteristics of CWs is given by simulations, which demonstrate effects of deflection and reflection when a CW interacts with regions exhibiting a sudden density drop, such as CHs. However, secondary waves are usually weak in their signal and simulations are limited in the way the according idealisations have to be chosen. Hence, several properties of the secondary waves during a CW–CH interaction are unclear or ambiguous and might lead to misinterpretations. In this study we follow a theoretical approach and focus in particular on the geometrical properties of secondary waves caused by the interaction between oblique incoming CWs and CHs. Based on a linear theory, we derive analytical expressions for reflection and transmission coefficients, which tell us how strongly the amplitudes of the secondary waves increase and decrease with respect to the incoming wave, respectively. Additionally, we provide analytical terms for crucial incidence angles that are capable of giving information about the energy flux, the phase and the reflection properties of the secondary waves. These novel expressions provide a supplementary tool for estimating CW properties in a fast and straightforward way, and therefore might have relevant consequences for a possible new interpretation of previously studied CW–CH interaction events and may help in the clarification of ambiguous observational data.
Variable oxygen emission from the accretion disk of Mrk 110
Authors: Reeves J. N. , Porquet D. , Braito V. , Grosso N. , Lobban A.
Published: April 2021

Six XMM-Newton observations of the bright narrow line Seyfert 1, Mrk 110, from 2004–2020, are presented. The analysis of the grating spectra from the Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) reveals a broad component of the He-like Oxygen (O VII) line, with a full width at half maximum of 15 900 ± 1800 km s−1 measured in the mean spectrum. The broad O VII line in all six observations can be modelled with a face-on accretion disk profile, where from these profiles the inner radius of the line emission is inferred to lie between about 20–100 gravitational radii from the black hole. The derived inclination angle, of about 10 degrees, is consistent with studies of the optical Broad Line Region in Mrk 110. The line also appears variable and for the first time, a significant correlation is measured between the O VII flux and the continuum flux from both the RGS and EPIC-pn data. Thus the line responds to the continuum, being brightest when the continuum flux is highest, similar to the reported behaviour of the optical He II line. The density of the line emitting gas is estimated to be ne ∼ 1014 cm−3, consistent with an origin in the accretion disk.
Quantitative study on the relationship between the transverse thickness difference of cold-rolled silicon strip and incoming section profile based on the mechanism-intelligent model
Authors: Wang Dongcheng , Xu Yanghuan , Zhang Tongyuan , Ma Xiaobao , Liu Hongmin
Published: April 2021

Cold-rolled non-oriented silicon strip is widely used, and users have strict requirements for its transverse thickness difference. It is of great significance to study the quantitative relationship between the transverse thickness difference and incoming section profile of cold-rolled silicon strip and to formulate appropriate control indexes of the hot-rolled profile. To achieve the above purpose, this paper first proposes a method to describe the section profile of hot-rolled strip. A mechanism model for predicting the transverse thickness difference of cold-rolled silicon strip is established. Based on the characteristics of neural network transfer learning, the calculated results of the mechanism model are combined with actual production data, and the PSO-LM-BP neural network is trained by using the strategy of pre-training + retraining to obtain the mechanism-intelligence model for the prediction of the transverse thickness difference of cold-rolled silicon strip. The innovation of this paper is the combination of physical model and neural network. The prediction accuracy of the model is improved by two orders of magnitude on average, and the operation time is reduced. The relationship between the hot-rolled strip section crown, wedge and cold-rolled strip transverse thickness difference is quantitatively analysed, and the control strategy diagram of the key parameters of the hot-rolled section is finally obtained. The production of cold-rolled silicon strip with 1420 mm UCM shows that this strategy has a beneficial effect on the transverse thickness difference control of a cold-rolled strip.
Integrative Behandlungsansätze bei chronischen Lebererkrankungen
Authors: Huber Roman
Published: April 2021

Hintergrund: Während die chronische Hepatitis C inzwischen sehr gut heilbar ist, bleiben die Fettleberhepatitis (NAFLD), toxische Hepatopathien, chronische Hepatitis B und immunogene Lebererkrankungen therapeutische Herausforderungen.

Methode: In einer selektiven Literaturrecherche und nach den Erfahrungen des Autors wird die vorhandene Evidenz zum Einsatz von Naturheilverfahren bzw. Komplementärmedizin bei chronischen Lebererkrankungen zusammengefasst.

Ergebnisse: Patienten mit chronischen Lebererkrankungen profitieren insbesondere von nichtmedikamentösen Verfahren, die das Risiko für die Entwicklung einer Leberzirrhose reduzieren. Hierzu gehören die Reduktion einer eventuell vorhandenen Steatosis hepatis durch Gewichtsreduktion (Lebensstilmodifikation), die Reduktion einer eventuell vorhandenen Eisenüberladung durch Aderlässe sowie die Vermeidung von Alkohol und lebertoxischen Medikamenten. Diese Maßnahmen führen wahrscheinlich auch zu einer Verlangsamung der Progression, wenn bereits eine Leberzirrhose vorliegt. Zusätzlich spielt bei Leberzirrhose die richtige Ernährung eine wesentliche Rolle: kalorienreich, bei hepatischer Enzephalopathie eiweißreduziert, bei Aszites bzw. Ödemen salzarm. Durch Balneotherapie kann das bei Leberzirrhose aktivierte Renin/Aldosteron-System herabreguliert werden. Standardisierte Extrakte aus Mariendistelfrüchten haben hepatoprotektive Eigenschaften, die sich klinisch bei Patienten mit toxischen Leberschäden positiv auswirken. Hochdosierte Gabe von Omega-3-Fettsäuren sowie verschiedene Nahrungsergänzungsmittel führten in einzelnen kontrollierten Studien zu einer Reduktion des Leberfetts bei Patienten mit NAFLD.

Schlussfolgerung: Patienten mit chronischer Hepatitis sollten mit einem integrativen Konzept behandelt werden, das neben Alkoholverzicht die Behandlung der Risikofaktoren Steatose und Eisenüberladung differentialtherapeutisch berücksichtigt. Lebensstilmodifikation und Aderlässe spielen hierbei eine wesentliche Rolle.
Überlegungen und Berechnungen zur Effizienz des Einsatzes von Ärzten für delegierbare, nichtärztliche Tätigkeiten – ein Denkanstoß in Zeiten des Nachwuchsmangels
Authors: Braun Benedikt J. , Fritz Tobias ,   Perspektivforum Junge Chirurgie, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chirurgie
Published: April 2021

Hintergrund Krankenversorgung ist mit hohen Kosten verbunden, wobei ein großer Teil dieser Kosten aus den Gehaltskosten des ärztlichen Personals resultiert. Eine möglichst effiziente
Nutzung dieser Personalressourcen sollte daher im Fokus eines guten Krankenhausmanagements stehen. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit sollen die Kosten und das resultierende Einsparpotenzial aus
Tätigkeiten berechnet werden, die prinzipiell delegierbar sind, jedoch durch ärztliches Personal durchgeführt werden.

Material und Methoden Die Berechnung erfolgt anhand der Ergebnisse der aktuellen Nachwuchsumfrage des Berufsverbandes der Deutschen Chirurgen sowie des Perspektivforums Junge
Chirurgie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie (n = 708). Abgefragt wurden, neben der Zufriedenheit der Weiterbildungsassistenten und limitierenden Faktoren, die durchschnittliche
Tagesdauer, die mit prinzipiell delegierbarer Tätigkeit verbracht wird, sowie die jeweiligen Tätigkeiten. Zusammen mit den Einkommen gemäß Tarifvertrag für Ärzte und Durchschnittsgehältern
des für die Delegation infrage kommenden nichtärztlichen Personals konnten so näherungsweise Kosten und Einsparpotenzial berechnet werden.

Ergebnisse Die Befragten gaben an, dass sie pro Tag im Durchschnitt etwa 124 min mit prinzipiell delegierbarer Tätigkeit verbrachten. Diese stammten vornehmlich aus den Bereichen
Blutentnahme/Zugänge, Schreib- und Telefontätigkeit. Daraus wurden Kosten pro ärztlichen Mitarbeiter in der Weiterbildung von über 16 000 € pro Jahr mit einem Einsparpotenzial von bis zu
7000 € bei Volldelegation berechnet.

Schlussfolgerung Die simple Berechnung zeigt das Einsparpotenzial bei adäquater Delegation entsprechender Tätigkeiten. Auch über eine betriebswirtschaftliche Ebene hinaus ist eine
Delegation sinnvoll, zeigen Umfragen doch einen wesentlichen Effekt auf die Steigerung der Mitarbeiterzufriedenheit bei Reduktion delegierbarerer, nichtärztlicher Tätigkeiten. Die
vorliegende Arbeit soll daher zur Auseinandersetzung mit diesem Thema sensibilisieren und kann auch als Anleitung dienen, die Verhältnisse an der eigenen Klinik vor diesem Hintergrund zu
analysieren.
Role of Participatory Health Informatics in Detecting and Managing Pandemics: Literature Review
Authors: Gabarron Elia , Rivera-Romero Octavio , Miron-Shatz Talya , Grainger Rebecca , Denecke Kerstin
Published: April 2021

Objectives: Using participatory health informatics (PHI) to detect disease outbreaks or learn about pandemics has gained interest in recent years. However, the role of PHI in understanding and managing pandemics, citizens’ role in this context, and which methods are relevant for collecting and processing data are still unclear, as is which types of data are relevant. This paper aims to clarify these issues and explore the role of PHI in managing and detecting pandemics.

Methods: Through a literature review we identified studies that explore the role of PHI in detecting and managing pandemics. Studies from five databases were screened: PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), IEEE Xplore, ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) Digital Library, and Cochrane Library. Data from studies fulfilling the eligibility criteria were extracted and synthesized narratively.

Results: Out of 417 citations retrieved, 53 studies were included in this review. Most research focused on influenza-like illnesses or COVID-19 with at least three papers on other epidemics (Ebola, Zika or measles). The geographic scope ranged from global to concentrating on specific countries. Multiple processing and analysis methods were reported, although often missing relevant information. The majority of outcomes are reported for two application areas: crisis communication and detection of disease outbreaks.

Conclusions: For most diseases, the small number of studies prevented reaching firm conclusions about the utility of PHI in detecting and monitoring these disease outbreaks. For others, e.g., COVID-19, social media and online search patterns corresponded to disease patterns, and detected disease outbreak earlier than conventional public health methods, thereby suggesting that PHI can contribute to disease and pandemic monitoring.
Primary Care Informatics Response to Covid-19 Pandemic: Adaptation, Progress, and Lessons from Four Countries with High ICT Development
Authors: Liaw Siaw-Teng , Kuziemsky Craig , Schreiber Richard , Jonnagaddala Jitendra , Liyanage Harshana , Chittalia Aliasgar , Bahniwal Ravninder , He Jennifer W. , Ryan Bridget L. , Lizotte Daniel J. , Kueper Jacqueline K. , Terry Amanda L. , de Lusignan Simon
Published: April 2021

Objective: Internationally, primary care practice had to transform in response to the COVID pandemic. Informatics issues included access, privacy, and security, as well as patient concerns of equity, safety, quality, and trust. This paper describes progress and lessons learned.

Methods: IMIA Primary Care Informatics Working Group members from Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States developed a standardised template for collection of information. The template guided a rapid literature review. We also included experiential learning from primary care and public health perspectives.

Results: All countries responded rapidly. Common themes included rapid reductions then transformation to virtual visits, pausing of non-COVID related informatics projects, all against a background of non-standardized digital development and disparate territory or state regulations and guidance. Common barriers in these four and in less-resourced countries included disparities in internet access and availability including bandwidth limitations when internet access was available, initial lack of coding standards, and fears of primary care clinicians that patients were delaying care despite the availability of televisits.

Conclusions: Primary care clinicians were able to respond to the COVID crisis through telehealth and electronic record enabled change. However, the lack of coordinated national strategies and regulation, assurance of financial viability, and working in silos remained limitations. The potential for primary care informatics to transform current practice was highlighted. More research is needed to confirm preliminary observations and trends noted.
Middle East and North African Health Informatics Association (MENAHIA)
Authors: Tara Mahmood , Adel Taweel , Dari Alhuwail , Al Thani Dena A. , Al-Jafar Eiman , Abu Hamra Eman , Ghazal Hassan , Wahba Hoda , Bahaadinbeigy Kambiz , AlKhalifa Khalid , Joseph Leena , Zeroug Mohamed , Odeh Mohammad Bani , Alhefzi Mohammed I. , Hamdi Mounir , Househ Mowafa , Al-Shorbaji Najeeb , El Hassan Osama , Al-Salmi Salim Abdullah , Amara Tamer , Sari Zoubir
Published: April 2021

The unforeseen pandemic of COVID-19 forced all countries worldwide to appreciate digital solutions and their potential contributions in managing such outbreaks. Countries began to share their knowledge and ongoing experiences on how to employ the latest technologies to trace infected cases, warn people on potential danger, increase social and population awareness, and how to provide effective and efficient telehealth services. MENAHIA (The Middle East and North Africa Health Informatics Association), established in 2018, as a new IMIA regional chapter which has started regional work in several areas of collaboration and knowledge sharing, particularly focused on the common basis of MENA countries’ needs towards health informatics solutions regarding COVID-19 crisis management. This article briefly presents health informatics activities and prospects by countries of the Region with a non-exclusive focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. Needless to say, not all the countries have reported using this platform, and some may have reported through other venues.
Therapeutic Endoscopic Procedures on a Human Cadaver—A Pilot Feasibility Study
Authors: Balekuduru Avinash Bhat , Appaji Ashwini C.
Published: April 2021

Introduction The traditional apprentice model of teaching therapeutic endoscopic skills is inadequate due to unpredictable frequency and high stakes for patient outcome. Simulation had gained widespread acceptance for training modules. But all the procedures cannot be trained on simulator. We designed a novel human cadaver hands-on training module for practicing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), endoscopic variceal band ligation (EVL), endoscopic injection (EI), snare polypectomy (SP), thermal cautery (TC), and endoscopic clip (EC) placement.

Methods A single preserved pre-coronavirus disease 2019 human cadaver was used as a training model. Twelve trainees (6 teams) used the module to acquire and practice new skills of PEG, EVL, EI, SP, and EC using standard endoscope and regular endoscopic accessories. All the trainees completed the course evaluation using a 5-point Likert scale (5= strongly agree).

Results The training resulted in a self-reported increase in equipment familiarity and all the trainees felt uniformly that they are better prepared for performing the procedures on real patients. They strongly agreed that this exhaustive hands-on exercise has more educational value than attending lectures.

Conclusion Human cadaver can be used for trainees to hone therapeutic endoscopic skills by teaching modules with predefined learning objectives.
Current Trends in Etiological Profile of Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Northern India: A Retrospective Analysis of 5-Year Endoscopic Data
Authors: Bodh Vishal , Sharma Brij , Kumar Rajesh , Sharma Rajesh
Published: April 2021

Introduction The etiological spectrum of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) varies from region to region. This study was performed to find out the latest etiological spectrum of the AUGIB in a tertiary care hospital in North India and to compare it with etiological spectra from a previous study from the same center and from the other regions of India.

Methods Clinical notes and endoscopic data of all consecutive patients who had presented with AUGIB in Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, from May 2015 to December 2019, were analyzed retrospectively with the objective of finding out the various endoscopic etiologies that lead to AUGIB. The findings were compared with the previous study from the same center and with the data from the other regions of the country.

Results A total of 1,513 patients were enrolled and majority were males (74.6%) with male:female ratio of 2.9:1. Majority were 41 to 60 years (46.46%) of age. Melena was the presenting complaint in 93.98% and hematemesis in 46.06%. Peptic ulcer disease (PUD; 46.19%) was the commonest cause of AUGIB followed by portal hypertension (26.23%). Other less common causes were erosive mucosal disease, erosive esophagitis, neoplasm, Mallory–Weiss tear, gastric angiodysplasia, anastomotic site ulcers, and Dieulafoy’s lesion.

Conclusion PUD was still the commonest cause of AUGIB followed by portal hypertension. This is in agreement with the previous report from the same center and in contrast to the reports from other studies from Northern and Western India that create the impression that portal hypertension related bleeding is the most common cause of AUGIB in India.
Commercial production of Nile tilapia on Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.
Authors:   CABI
Published: April 2021

Lake Harvest Aquaculture (Pvt) Ltd was first developed into a freshwater tilapia fish farm business in 1996 on premises that originally farmed freshwater prawns owned by one of Zimbabwe's food companies, Cairns Foods Ltd. The farm was set up in 1997 and, ten years later, has grown to a 3000-tonne fish farm where tilapia are produced primarily for processing and export to European and regional markets. The original targeted projections for production and net income of the farm were proving accurate until 2001 when the macro-economy began to shrink. Low production on crop farms due to inadequate resources and drought brought a shortage of raw materials to the feed manufacturing companies. The continuous downward trend in feed production affected the company as it failed to support its growing fish biomass. The feed and economy problems resulted in a decision by the board to stop expansion of the business in 2002. Lake Harvest business was set up at a cost of US $10,000,000. The business was externally funded by the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC Group plc) and Comafin, a pan-African private equity fund, before the share holding structure changed in 2002. The major costs were encountered on the installation and mooring of cages, and the construction of a fish processing factory. Six sites were installed, each costing around US $350,000, including boats. The processing factory cost around US $4,000,000. The objectives of this case study are to: * Provide a scenario and overview of Lake Harvest Aquaculture as a company growing tilapia in cages in Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe. * Provide a means of assessment and learning for those considering developing cage-based aquaculture in sub-Saharan Africa. All of the main activities carried out at Lake Harvest will be described in the same sequence as followed on-farm; production, management, and sale of the final product: * Breeding * Feeding * Sampling * Diving * Harvesting * Processing * Marketing.
Social and economic benefits of commercial aquaculture in rural communities: a case study of two commercial cage culture farms in Ghana.
Authors: Asmah Ruby , Abban E. K. , Ofori J. K. , Brummett R.
Published: April 2021

Two commercial caged fish farms, located in the Asuogyaman district of the Eastern Region of Ghana, were assessed for their social and economic impacts on rural communities around their locations. Three groups of people; farm managers, farm workers and farmed fish traders were interviewed by the authors using semi-structured questionnaires to obtain data. Identified benefits to the local communities included increased employment opportunities, improved nutrition and health through enhanced availability of fish and improved infrastructure through, for example, construction of vehicular access roads to communities that would not have occurred but for the existence of the fish farm. Benefits to workers of fish farms and their families were in the form of regular incomes, bonuses, possibility of loans and contribution to social security funds by employers (Farms), which also entitled the workers to an old age pension, invalidity pension, survivors' lump sum payment to families of the workers in case of premature death and health insurance. Benefits to the related traders included larger trade opportunities, incomes accrued from the trading activities that were used to benefit themselves, their families and dependents. Other benefits identified as a result of the farms' operations were the development of local auxiliary businesses, such as ice production. The study concluded that the commercial fish farming sector had, and could have greater, positive impacts on the economy of local communities and the country at large. However, the study has not yet been undertaken within communities where negative impacts of caged fish farms may be encountered. Irrespective of this, results of current study suggest that the emerging fish culture industry in Ghana could enhance the contribution of agriculture to national social and economic development.
Gestion organisationnelle et technique d'un système agropiscicole en zone subsaharienne: cas du Projet de Ziga au Burkina Faso.
Authors: Kabré Jean-André T
Published: April 2021

In Burkina Faso, cereals are the main source of food. Their consumption rate is relatively high compared to those of meat and fish which are 5-7 kg and 1.5 kg per inhabitant per year, respectively. The efforts developed by the Government to curb food problems are very remarkable in the partially or totally irrigated agricultural sector. Currently, Burkina Faso has around 1,100 bodies of water. The existence of these water bodies has allowed the development of artisanal fishing and especially aquaculture at the level of peri-urban and urban water reservoirs. It is in this logic that the integrated aquaculture complex of Ziga was created in 2005. Its management has been entrusted to an association of women fish farmers. The organizational and technical management models of the Ziga aquaculture complex highlight the need to integrate beneficiary populations into all phases of the project. They particularly insist on the need for prior mastery of the various technologies used in the production sub-systems (market gardening, poultry farming and fish farming) in order to facilitate the gradual transfer of management to producers.
Thinking beyond the pond - promoting livelihoods analysis and approaches for aquaculture development.
Authors: Haylor Graham
Published: April 2021

Traditionally, development professionals have considered 'lack of technical knowledge' to be a significant constraint to rural development through aquaculture (as well as through other technical disciplines). However, evidence increasingly shows the enormous store of 'indigenous technical knowledge' present in remote, rural communities, although this knowledge is still often undervalued or ignored by 'outside' developers. Gradually this is changing as approaches based on understanding and supporting the lives and livelihoods of people in communities are being increasingly adopted, but building capacity in technical line agencies to work in this way is an enormous undertaking. 'Thinking beyond the pond' is about a pilot project promoting approaches to development involving aquaculture that include learning about livelihoods approaches. With support from a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific-Support to Regional Aquatic Resources Management (NACA-STREAM) Initiative is training national livelihoods teams in a number of countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region and facilitating livelihoods analysis and approaches that aim to benefit poor and vulnerable aquatic resource users.
Sydney rock oyster farming in Australia.
Authors: Nell John
Published: April 2021

The 120-year-old Sydney rock oyster industry in New South Wales (NSW) and southern Queensland is one of the oldest aquaculture industries in Australia. The industry has been forced to adapt to competition from other species, tighter harvesting and oyster storage and handling requirements as well as eroding profit margins. Recent changes in farming practices include the move away from stick culture to single seed culture, as the half-shell market demands a more uniformly shaped oyster. When selective breeding demonstrated that it could reduce time to market (50 g whole weight) by nearly a year out of an industry average of 3.5 years, the industry wanted to try hatchery technology. Although the industry had never used hatchery technology before, it purchased 10 million spat or 8% of its annual spat requirement from hatcheries in 2003-2004, the first year that they were made available to farmers. The industry also embraced the Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program, which requires that shellfish harvest areas be classified on the basis of a sanitary survey and the results of an ongoing strategic water-sampling programme. This programme ensures product safety for the consumers and helps to provide the industry with a long-term future.
Shrimp farming systems in Hai Phong, Vietnam.
Authors: Giap Dao Huy
Published: April 2021

Hai Phong province is one of the main shrimp culture areas in north Vietnam. Its climate is influenced by two monsoon regimes. The April-September southwest monsoon is wet and hot, and the temperature is suitable for shrimp culture. The October-March northeast monsoon is dry and cold, and the temperature is not suitable for shrimp culture. Different shrimp farming systems take place along the entire coast depending on socio-economic and climatic conditions, seed availability, and farming methods to minimize the operating risk. The main cultured species in Hai Phong is black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon. The shrimp are either cultured in monoculture or integrated or cultured alternatively with mud crab (Scylla serrata), greasyback shrimp (Metapenaeus ensis)and seaweeds (Gracilaria gracilis and G. blodgettii). The main crop of black tiger shrimp is from April to September, when about 15% of farms practice integrated shrimp-seaweed culture and 85% of farms practice shrimp monoculture. Additional crops of shrimp or mud crabs are cultured during other months from September to March, while seaweed production is integrated with shrimp or crabs all year. Thus, four main shrimp farming systems can be found in Hai Phong: Single-crop shrimp farming, double-crop shrimp farming, shrimp-crab rotation farming, and integrated shrimp-seaweed-crab farming.
Seed production and grow-out of yellow catfish in China.
Authors: Wang Wei-min
Published: April 2021

Broodstock of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) is collected from lakes or local fish farms, either in the autumn or at least 3 months before the onset of the spring spawning season, and stocked in earthen ponds. Broodstock should have a robust body, be free of wounds and diseases, and be larger than 50 g for females and 100 g for males. The number of eggs spawned varies with the health and condition of the female. Stocking rates for broodstock are 2,250-3,000 kg ha-1. Specially made fish feed for broodstock is available from many feed producers. Broodstock requires a higher quality feed than food fish, with a minimum of 36% protein. Fish are fed at 2-3% body weight daily, two to three times a day. Artificial propagation is carried out from late April to the beginning of May. One-kg fish is injected with 10 µg of LRH-A at the pectoral fin base for both females and males at a ratio of 3:1. Two injections are needed with an interval of 15 hours. The second injection is normally given in the early morning so that the fish spawn at night. Immediately after administration of the hormone, the broodstock is released into cement breeding tanks with patches of palm fronds laid on the bottom. Yellow catfish spawn after a latency period of 18-24 hours. Incubation time is generally 3-4 days at a water temperature of 24-26°C. After hatching, the larvae are kept in concrete tanks without feeding for 3-4 days before yolk sac absorption. They are kept in the same tanks for 7-10 days, during which small zooplankton are supplied as feed. After the fry reach 1 cm, they are transferred to nursing ponds for growing to fingerlings. Fry are stocked in fry nursing ponds at a density of 450,000-750,000 fry ha-1 and fed with commercial powder feed. After 6 months, the fish can reach a weight of 20 g; they are then released into grow-out ponds. The stocking density for grow-out ponds is 150,000-180,000 fish ha-1. The growth of male and female yellow catfish differs greatly. The male usually grows to 100-200 g, whereas the female can only reach 50-100 g after 1 year of culture. The market size for yellow catfish is above 50 g per fish.
Seed production of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
Authors: Tran Thi Thanh Hien
Published: April 2021

Artificial seed reproduction of giant river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) has been studied in Vietnam since the early 1980s, especially since 1998. Most of this work has been done to obtain suitable broodstock sources, water sources, stocking densities, feed types and rearing scales for different rearing systems. These studies have contributed significantly to the development of prawn seed production technology for commercial practice in Vietnam, especially the Mekong Delta region, which had 91 hatcheries in 2003 compared to only 1 hatchery in 1999. The most popular production system is the modified static green water system, which is used by 88% of the hatcheries in the region. The total production of prawn seed in 2003 was 77.7 million post-larvae (PLs).
Rural finance and aquaculture.
Authors: Rahman Md.
Published: April 2021

The aquaculture sector in Bangladesh has made an enormous and often under-recognized contribution to the well being of the nation; around 2 million t of food fish are produced for local consumption and export earnings. The sector is in transition from subsistence to a commercially oriented sector. Financing of aquaculture and other aquaculture-related activities has not yet attracted enough interest from banks and other money lending institutions in Bangladesh. To ensure the necessary credit flow to the aquaculture sector for dynamic growth, an annual programme-based credit monitoring support has been necessary. The rural aquaculture financial system is fragmented and does not meet the lending and saving needs of the rural poor. Commercial banks and other financial institutions have not responded significantly to the self-employment initiatives of the rural poor and to small-scale aquaculture farmers. The large numbers of micro-credit operating NGOs have played an important role in aquaculture with remarkable success. The disbursement and recovery of micro-credit support by NGOs in the self-employment sector is about twice as large as the disbursement of aquaculture credit by banks (BB, 2003).
Pond culture of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in China.
Authors: Cao Lin
Published: April 2021

Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, native to the coastal streams and rivers of China, is one of the most famous and widely cultured aquatic animals in China, well-known for its special appearance and delicious taste. Pond culture of mitten crab has a long history in China and culture systems vary from extensive, semi-intensive to intensive operations. This case study describes intensive pond culture techniques of the crab in relation to broodstock management, breeding, larval nursing, grow-out and harvest.
Overview of river prawn farming in Bangladesh.
Authors: Ahmed Nesar
Published: April 2021

In south-west Bangladesh, thousands of farmers have converted their paddy fields into ghers to accommodate profitable river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) culture, in which prawn is cultured with fish and rice. Prawn post-larvae (PLs) are stocked in May-June and harvested from November to January. Farmers stock wild PLs rather than hatchery-produced stock as production of the latter is limited and farmers consider them to be of lower quality. The average stocking density of PLs is 20,680 ha-1. A variety of feeds is used for prawn culture but the preferred feed is the freshwater snail, Pila globosa. The production of prawn is quite variable because of the simple culture method, averaging 432 kg ha-1 year-1. The prawn is a high-value product for the international market and almost all prawns are therefore exported.
Mud crab, Scylla olivacea: fattening practices in Bangladesh.
Authors: Mia Md. Younus
Published: April 2021

Fattening mud or mangrove crab, Scylla olivacea, has been practised in recent years in brackishwater ponds in Bangladesh. It is a relatively new practice in the country. Small- to medium-sized and even large but gonadal immature crabs that have low market value are bought from farmers, fishers, or from the market and stocked in fattening ponds. Fattening of crab is profitable because of fast turnover, low operating cost, high survival rate and good market demand. Two types of brackishwater earthen ponds are used to fatten crabs. One type is connected to the river through inlets and outlets to exchange water during high and ebb tides. Another type is not connected to the river but water is pumped into and discharged from the pond. The importance of fattening has been recognized as a source of income and employment to alleviate the poverty of coastal people. Through this technology, pond and ditches in the coastal region can be used throughout the year. On the basis of an interview with farmers, a net income of Tk 3,800 (US$ 65.50) can be achieved from a 120 m2 pond using the crab fattening technology. There is potential to expand crab fattening practices in coastal areas. However, an inadequate supply of stockable crab and feed are major constraints in this sector.
Large sustainable integrated shrimp farm in Indonesia.
Authors: Taw Nyan
Published: April 2021

One of the largest sustainable integrated shrimp farms in Asia with over 3,600 intensively cultured ponds is operated by PT. Central Pertiwi Bahari (CPB), a member of the Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group), in Indonesia. The project was developed in an effort to stimulate the economy in the swampy, sparsely populated north-eastern coast of Lampung province, south Sumatra. With local government support and bank loans through co-operatives, many former tree cutters and their families became gainfully employed shrimp farmers. The farmers in turn purchase shrimp fry and feed, grow the shrimp with the company's technical support to market size, and sell their harvests to the company. The CPB vertically integrated complex consists of farm, hatchery, feed mill, processing and cold storage plants, a container vessel, and support facilities such as farmer services, and construction and engineering. The CPB farm shrimp production (whole shrimp) for the year 2004 was 35,240 t (Taw, 2005).
Learning to do better - evolving monitoring and evaluation for aquaculture: recent experiences.
Authors: Haylor Graham
Published: April 2021

A development programme or initiative needs to know what it is achieving, with whom and how it can learn to do better, incorporating new lessons into ways of working - a process of monitoring, evaluation and linking this to learning and planning. The potential benefits from such a system include simple procedures in response to donor assessment, improved scope to monitor progress and to identify and understand the outcomes and impacts from work undertaken. This case study describes a developing system for monitoring and evaluating aquatic resource management interventions by the STREAM Initiative, which focus's on activities, stakeholders and change, to capture learning and use this directly in planning.
Impact of shrimp farming on mangroves.
Authors: Monir
Published: April 2021

In Bangladesh, a substantial amount of silt is introduced into shrimp ghers (modified rice fields with trenches) during water exchange; this reduces water transparency and thus adversely affects the environment of the gher and overall shrimp production. The considerable amount of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and organic matter carried in the silt and deposited in ghers may, however, enhance rice production. Water management may be more difficult and sustainable production obtained from the shrimp ghers adversely affected in future. The natural mangrove ecosystem may be damaged due to human intervention and expansion of shrimp farming areas. In addition, erosion, destruction of mangrove flora and water quality deterioration can vitally affect and change the coastal river ecosystem, leading to an environment unsuitable for many aquatic biota. The availability of tiger shrimp or bagda (Penaeus monodon) fry in nature is related to time, tide and season. During collection of each tiger shrimp post-larvae (PL), about 190 larvae of other shrimps, 568 individuals of macrozooplankton and 93 finfishes are killed. A few farmers have started to farm shrimp inside the Sundarban Reserve Forest (SRF) area and some endangered trees have been used for household purposes. Therefore, necessary steps should be made immediately to stop such activities to protect and conserve the Sundarban forest.
Improved production from seasonal ponds in Northwest Bangladesh.
Authors: Morrice Christopher
Published: April 2021

A polyculture system was developed that was affordable to poor owners of seasonal ponds with a mean annual culture period of 200 days and situated on low quality soil types. Three main species were used silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Stocked in smaller numbers wererohu (Labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla), mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus)and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Pond preparation and management were dependent on the use of lime, cow manure, triple superphosphate (TSP) and urea. Duckweed, green vegetables and rice bran were the principle supplementary feeds. This system raised production levels from 740 kg ha-1 to 2195 kg ha-1 with a cost:benefit ratio of 1:3.8.
Integrated agriculture-aquaculture production systems in southern Malawi.
Authors: Jamu Daniel
Published: April 2021

Southern Malawi is characterized by the Rift valley and the Shire Highlands, which are dominated by the Zomba and Mulanje plateaux, and the Kirk Range. These mountainous areas are a source of various rivers and streams, which support small-scale integrated agriculture-aquaculture systems (IAA). The IAA systems were introduced to Malawi in 1986 by the WorldFish Center when a range of IAA technologies were developed and disseminated to farmers. The most common IAA system consists of fishponds, vegetables, fish, rice and irrigated maize. This system is practised by over 2,000 farmers in southern Malawi. The number of farmers practising this system has grown by 25% per year over the past 5 years because of the impact that this system has on household food security, income and environmental sustainability. Farmers practising IAA achieve yields of over 1,500 kg ha-1 yr-1 extrapolated from 450 m2 ponds compared with 900 kg ha-1 yr-1 for non-integrated farms and twice as much annual household income (US$ 270) than non-IAA farms.
Intensive culture of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus in North Vietnam.
Authors: Nguyen Van Tien
Published: April 2021

Trials carried out with farmers on intensive culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in monoculture in ponds in north Vietnam indicated that tilapia could reach an average weight of 500 g after 6 months, with productivity up to 20 t ha-1 per 6-month cycle. The net income per ha of pond was VND 60,000,000 (about USD 4,000). Floating extruded feed with 26-28% protein was used when fish were smaller than 300 g, and 18% protein when fish were larger than 300 g. The culture season for tilapia is 7-8 months from April to the middle of November. Overwintered fingerlings are the best seed to stock early in the season in April-May.
Green mussel (Perna viridis) culture on the central coast of Vietnam.
Authors: Ha Le Thi Loc
Published: April 2021

Grow-out culture of green mussels is currently being developed in some estuaries and lagoons in central Vietnam such as Lang Co lagoon in Thua Thien Hue province, Nha Phu lagoon in Khanh Hoa province, O Loan lagoon in Phu Yen province, and Nai lagoon in Ninh Thuan province. Green mussels attach to substrates such as wooden stakes, cement block stakes and plates, rope strings, net bags and baskets. Mussel seed is collected from the wild or transported from different places. Culture duration ranges from 6 months to 2 years depending on seed size. The commercial size is 10-15 individuals kg-1, with a shell size of 10-12 cm. The price ranges from VND 5,000 to 15,000 kg-1 depending on the local market. Minimal labour is needed for green mussel culture, although the stakes need to be consolidated in the monsoon season, substrates need to be cleaned of barnacles, mud, rubbish and predators (crabs, swimming crabs), and security must be provided.