bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Brain for Numbers
Authors: Nieder Andreas
Published: November 2019

How our intuitive understanding of numbers is deeply rooted in our biology, traceable through both evolution and development.

Humans' understanding of numbers is intuitive. Infants are able to estimate and calculate even before they learn the words for numbers. How have we come to possess this talent for numbers? In A Brain for Numbers, Andreas Nieder explains how our brains process numbers. He reports that numerical competency is deeply rooted in our biological ancestry; it can be traced through both the evolution of our species and the development of our individual minds. It is not, as it has been traditionally explained, based on our ability to use language. We owe our symbolic mathematical skills to the nonsymbolic numerical abilities that we inherited from our ancestors. The principles of mathematics, Nieder tells us, are reflections of the innate dispositions wired into the brain.

Nieder explores how the workings of the brain give rise to numerical competence, tracing flair for numbers to dedicated “number neurons” in the brain. Drawing on a range of methods including brain imaging techniques, behavioral experiments, and twin studies, he outlines a new, integrated understanding of the talent for numbers. Along the way, he compares the numerical capabilities of humans and animals, and discusses the benefits animals reap from such a capability. He shows how the neurobiological roots of the brain's nonverbal quantification capacity are the evolutionary foundation of more elaborate numerical skills. He discusses how number signs and symbols are represented in the brain; calculation capability and the “neuromythology” of mathematical genius; the “start-up tools” for counting and developmental of dyscalculia (a number disorder analogous to the reading disorder dyslexia); and how the brain processes the abstract concept of zero.
Sharenthood
Authors: Plunkett Leah A.
Published: November 2019

From baby pictures in the cloud to a high school's digital surveillance system: how adults unwittingly compromise children's privacy online.

Our children's first digital footprints are made before they can walk—even before they are born—as parents use fertility apps to aid conception, post ultrasound images, and share their baby's hospital mug shot. Then, in rapid succession come terabytes of baby pictures stored in the cloud, digital baby monitors with built-in artificial intelligence, and real-time updates from daycare. When school starts, there are cafeteria cards that catalog food purchases, bus passes that track when kids are on and off the bus, electronic health records in the nurse's office, and a school surveillance system that has eyes everywhere. Unwittingly, parents, teachers, and other trusted adults are compiling digital dossiers for children that could be available to everyone—friends, employers, law enforcement—forever. In this incisive book, Leah Plunkett examines the implications of “sharenthood”—adults' excessive digital sharing of children's data. She outlines the mistakes adults make with kids' private information, the risks that result, and the legal system that enables “sharenting.”

Plunkett describes various modes of sharenting—including “commercial sharenting,” efforts by parents to use their families' private experiences to make money—and unpacks the faulty assumptions made by our legal system about children, parents, and privacy. She proposes a “thought compass” to guide adults in their decision making about children's digital data: play, forget, connect, and respect. Enshrining every false step and bad choice, Plunkett argues, can rob children of their chance to explore and learn lessons. The Internet needs to forget. We need to remember.

The open access edition of this book was made possible by generous funding from the MIT Libraries.
The Information Manifold
Authors: Badia Antonio
Published: November 2019

An argument that information exists at different levels of analysis—syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic—and an exploration of the implications.

Although this is the Information Age, there is no universal agreement about what information really is. Different disciplines view information differently; engineers, computer scientists, economists, linguists, and philosophers all take varying and apparently disconnected approaches. In this book, Antonio Badia distinguishes four levels of analysis brought to bear on information: syntactic, semantic, pragmatic, and network-based. Badia explains each of these theoretical approaches in turn, discussing, among other topics, theories of Claude Shannon and Andrey Kolomogorov, Fred Dretske's description of information flow, and ideas on receiver impact and informational interactions. Badia argues that all these theories describe the same phenomena from different perspectives, each one narrower than the previous one. The syntactic approach is the more general one, but it fails to specify when information is meaningful to an agent, which is the focus of the semantic and pragmatic approaches. The network-based approach, meanwhile, provides a framework to understand information use among agents.

Badia then explores the consequences of understanding information as existing at several levels. Humans live at the semantic and pragmatic level (and at the network level as a society), computers at the syntactic level. This sheds light on some recent issues, including “fake news” (computers cannot tell whether a statement is true or not, because truth is a semantic notion) and “algorithmic bias” (a pragmatic, not syntactic concern). Humans, not computers, the book argues, have the ability to solve these issues.
Arbeidsglede i hjemmesykepleien
Authors: Glad Tone
Published: November 2019

Work enjoyment in home nursing

This essay is a reflection on work enjoyment in home care nursing. Nurses describe working days that provide little pleasure. Work enjoyment tends to be the result of nurses’ relationship with colleagues and the people they are in contact with and care for. In interviews, home nurses describe busy days of physical and mental pressure to complete all their tasks. There is little enjoyment and a feeling of inadequacy in their work. They call for space for joy that gives them the possibility to achieve work satisfaction. An attempt is made to describe the factors that promote and constrain work enjoyment in nursing through reflection on home nurses’ experiences and the use of texts from the history of ideas and from nursing.
In vivo Assessment of Antidiabetic Potential and Mapping of Pharmacological Properties of Ethanolic Extract of Leaves of Coccinia grandis on Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Islam Zahirul , Tahsin Md. Rafat , Ullah Faisal Ahmad , Islam Tithi Tanzia , Tasnim Nova Tasnova , Sharif Nila Tahmina , Hossain Gorapi Md. Zobayer , Ahmed Nadvi Faisal , Nayla Mridula Tasneem , Asad Choudhury Abu , Ahmed Chowdhury Jakir , Kabir Shaila , Amran Md. Shah
Published: November 2019

Diabetes is a metabolic disease and plant derived products are used to combat this deadly disease. Plant is a diverse source of numerous therapeutic compounds which can be used to ameliorate diabetes. Leaves of Coccinia grandis (L.) (Family: Cucurbitaceae) is one of the leafy vegetable that is used for this purpose traditionally. It has been used against diabetes for a very long time. Our aims were to identify the hypoglycemic effect of extract of leaves of Coccinia grandis as well as to determine its safety profile so that we could use the plant material to improve the diabetic condition. Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan at a dose of 150 mg/Kg bodyweight and ethanolic extract of leaves of Coccinia grandis was fed to the rats at a dose of 750 mg/kg. We measured blood glucose level, and safety profile by measuring SGOT, SGPT and creatinine level on diabetic and non-diabetic rats before and after administration of the extract. After measuring blood glucose level, it was found that the hypoglycemic efficacy was comparable to that of metformin (p> 0.05) which was given at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Safety profile were investigated by checking SGOT, SGPT and creatinine level. It was seen that both metformin and leaf extract of Coccinia grandis improved the pathological condition induced by diabetes. Furthermore, in healthy individual rats both metformin and leaf extract of Coccinia grandis did not significantly alter the normal physiological state. It might, therefore, be inferred that the extract of leaves of Coccinia grandis could be used as a good alternative therapy to treat diabetes.
The Climatic Condition of Bangladesh: Scenario of Dhaka
Authors: Chakraborty Debajani
Published: November 2019

Bangladesh’s climate is consisting of medium to high rainfall, high relative humidity, and high temperature. Due to global warming effects, Bangladesh subjected to many kinds of natural disasters. To understand climate change impacts in Bangladesh, one has to understand the climatic condition of this country. In this paper, annual rainfall, average maximum and minimum temperature and relative humidity data were collected and analyzed to understand the climatic condition of the country. It has been seen that, the rainfall rate of this country is decreasing year to year but the temperature is increasing than previous years. The average relative humidity is almost constant.
Effect of Streams of Science Studies in Eastern University, Sri Lanka on Graduation and Class of Degree
Authors: Karunarathna K. A. N. K.
Published: November 2019

The ultimate reward of a degree program is the graduation. Class of the degree is also an aspect associated with the graduation. Both graduation and class of degree are the indicators of academic performances of a graduate. Academic achievement of a graduate is affected by many factors. Hence, graduation and class of degree of a graduate also may be dependent on the same factors. A belief is among academic community that obtaining a degree in some streams are rather difficult compared with some other. That is graduation is dependent on stream of study. This study was carried out to see whether graduation in science depends on the streams (biological, physical) of science studies in Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Further, effect of streams on class of degree also was aimed to investigate. This study was carried out by using all students in a batch, of size of 109 that recently completed studies from Faculty of Science, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. The analysis was based on number of students who qualified for the graduation and the class of degree. Statistical techniques such as proportion test, chi square test, odds ratio, relative risk, logistic regression and ANOVA test were used for the analysis. Study reveals that graduation and class of degree is dependent on streams of science studies. Proportions of physical science students who qualified for graduation and the lowest class of degree are less than the corresponding proportions of biological science stream students. Stream for higher education should be selected carefully and action should be taken accordingly to promote the stream/subjects that students omit. Further, factors behind this variation also might be investigated.
Fish Community Assemblages of Mining-Impacted Freshwaters at Prestea, Ghana
Authors: Antobre Osei O. , Owusu-Prempeh Nat , Twumasi-Ankrah Michael J.
Published: November 2019

The study evaluated the fish community assemblage in the sections of the Subri river, the Ankobra river, and the “galamsey” pond within the Prestea community as impacted by alluvial mining activities. Gill nets of length 10 m and mesh size 1.27 cm were used to trap fish of average length 25.25 cm whilst cane baskets were used to trap fish of average width 10.40 cm using the catch and recapture method. All the 46 fish samples identified belong to 10 genera and 5 families. The Chichlidae was the dominant family, accounting for 60% of the total families observed. With an H’ index of 1.57 the Subri river had the most fish diversity in comparison with the Ankobra river and the “galamsey” pond, which had 1.21 and 0.71, respectively. Similarly, the Subri river had a more complex fish community structure than the Ankobra and “galamsey” pond. The dominant species, Oreochromis niloticus, has not yet been evaluated by the IUCN, but the least dominated Brienomyrus brachyistus could be regarded as “least concern”. Notwithstanding, these fish are essential for food by the local communities. There is a possibility that the alluvial mining might have influenced the complexities of fish species communities. Thus conservation efforts must be promoted to sustain fish communities and overall freshwater ecosystem health.
Toxicity of Tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum) Leaf Dust on Enzymatic and Protein Synthesis Activities of African Mud Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
Authors: Nkpondion N. N. , Ugwumba O. A. , Ugwumba A. A. A. , Esenowo I. K.
Published: November 2019

The toxicity of tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum) leaf dust with piscicidal and pesticidal properties was investigated on some enzymatic and protein synthesis activities of juvenile African mud catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Fish were exposed to both lethal and sub-lethal concentrations of tobacco leaf dust for 21 days in a renewal bioassay procedure. The median lethal concentrations (LC50) were derived using Finney probit method while protein and enzymatic activities were determined using Biuret and Randox methods respectively. The LC50 values for 48 hours acute bioassay test was 2.11g/l for tobacco leaf dust. Tobacco exposed fish showed significant increase (P≤0.05) in serum AST, ALT and ALP levels. Significant decrease (p≤0.05) were observed for liver AST (141.00 ± 2.52 to 154.67 ± 0.67), serum and liver total protein (6.47 ± 0.03 to 7.80 ± 0.40 and 3.30 ± 0.00 to 3.57 ±0.12)  and serum albumin (4.23 ± 0.09 to 4.83 ±0.20) across all concentrations. The study showed that exposure of C. gariepinus  juvenile to sub-lethal concentrations of tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum) leaf dust can induce various toxicological effects in the form of enzymatic alteration. Therefore, the longer exposure of tobacco leaf dust in aquatic ecosystem is dangerous to fish and subsequently human health.
Length-weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Blackspot Catfish Auchenoglanis biscutatus from the Lower River Benue Makurdi, Nigeria
Authors: Thomas Edem, Edem , Oscar Eyo, Victor , Preye Ofunama
Published: November 2019

This study was carried out to evaluate the length-weight relationship and condition factor of the Blackspot Catfish Auchenoglanis biscutatus from the Lower River Benue Makurdi, Nigeria. A total of 200 freshly caught specimens of A. biscutatus were collected from the catches of the artisanal fisheries from landing points at Wadata Market in Makurdi, between July and September 2013. The result obtained showed that the “b” value for the males was 1.6698, females (1.6201) and combined sexes (1.7318) indicating a negative allometric growth. Correlation coefficient (r) for males was 0.9524, females (0.9290) and combine sexes (0.9085). Monthly mean condition factor (K), indicated that both sexes of A. biscutatus were in good health condition. It is therefore concluded that findings of this study will be useful in the sustainable management of this species in the lower River Benue.
Comparative Studies of Spawning Potentials in Female African Bonytongue Heterotis niloticus (Curvier 1829) between Cross River and Great Kwa River, Nigeria
Authors: Udoudo Ikot, Ndueso
Published: November 2019

The spawning potentials of Heterotis niloticus from Great Kwa River and Cross River was compared in a twelve-month study. Forty-nine female H. niloticus was sampled from Cross River and thirty four from Great Kwa River from January to December 2014.  Gonadosomatic index (GSI), fecundity and histological examinations were investigated in the Institute of Oceanography laboratory. Each month of this study recorded at least one female specimen with eggs at different stages of development. In Cross River, the months of August and September recorded one hundred per cent female with eggs, while Great Kwa River exhibited such performance in July, an indication of spawning activities by the fish. Cross River had a major GSI peak in July with a minor one in August, but Great Kwa River did not exhibit any significant GSI peak throughout the study, and no significant difference in GSI between the rivers when compared with T-test (0.22; P>0.05). There was a significant difference (0.02, P<0.05) in fecundity of H. niloticus between the population in Cross River and Great Kwa River. Regression analysis of fecundity and body weight showed a positive correlation (P<0.05)(r=0.3686). Histological changes in the gonad of the fish showed no disparity between the rivers. H. niloticus has the ability to spawn all year round, but in the Cross River, the fish has high reproductive potentials than those in the Great Kwa River.
Growth Responses of Hybrid Catfish (Clarias gariepinus ♀ X Heterobranchus bidosarlis ♂) Fingerlings Fed Diets Lablab Bean Meal (Lablab purpureus)
Authors: Aliu B. S. , Osayamen S. , Esume A. C.
Published: November 2019

This study examined the replacement of soyabean meal (SBM) with Lablab bean meal (LBM) in the practical diets of Clariid catfish (Heteroclarias). Five Iso-nitrogenous diets of 40%CP containing varying levels of LBM were incorporated as a non-conventional feedstuff at D1(10% LBM); D2(20%LBM); D3(30%LBM); D4(40%LBM) and D5(50% LBM) as a replacement for soyabean meal. Seventy-five Heteroclarias fingerlings with an initial mean weight of 1.46±0.01 g were stocked randomly to five treatments in triplicate groups and were fed to satiation twice daily for a period of 70 days. At the end of the 70days experimental period, all growth parameters decreased across all diets from D1 to D5. D1(10% LBM) had the best growth rate as it recorded the highest value in terms  of weight gain (1.25); feed intake (2.34); feed conversion ratio (1.86); relative weight gain (4.86) and specific Growth rate of (1.33) while D5 recorded the least values across all parameters. D1 was not significantly different (P>0.05) from D­2 in all growth parameters listed above but D1 and D2 were significantly different (P<0.05) from D3, D4 and D5. Therefore, Lablab bean meal can replace soyabean meal totally but will be best at 10% replacement in diets for Hetero clarias without compromising the growth and carcass composition. Further research should be carried out to test lablab meal on pure Heterobranchus bidorsalis fingerlings.
Response of Macrobenthic Invertebrate to Organic Carbon and Particle Size in Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria
Authors: Olapoju O. A. , Edokpayi C. A.
Published: November 2019

Macrobenthic fauna communities are important constituents of soft bottom marine ecosystems which inhabit the bottom environments playing a key factor in controlling structure and functioning of the aquatic environment. Lagos lagoon is the most exposed lagoon to anthropogenic influence in Nigeria coastal lagoon system. Bimonthly sampling was carried out in the Lagos lagoon from September 2014 - July 2016 for water and sediment in twenty – four stations to examine response condition of benthic communities to measures of water quality and sediment quality in Lagos lagoon in order to understand the benthic condition of the aquatic environment. A range of 9 – 91% for sand, 7 – 25% for silt, 0 – 73% for clay while a range of 0 – 4.77 was observed for TOC. The Diversity (H,) richness (d) and evenness (j) were positively correlated with the silt sediment particle size and. Kruskal-Wallis test showed that there was significant difference (p<0.05) between species richness and diversity at all sampling stations. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in mean percentage particle sizes and TOC recorded at the stations but was significant (p<0.05) between TOC and macrobenthic invertebrates. The overall low diversity of macrobenthic fauna observed was attributed to anthropogenic activities majorly industrial dredging and local sand mining which altered the sediment characteristics of the aquatic ecosystem. Assessments of human induced stressors in the lagoon provided information useful for strict regulations and environmental policies to help prevent the aquatic environment from continuous deterioration hence, causing more loss of biodiversity.  Responses of macrobenthic invertebrates to measured variables showed that there are high abundance and diversity of ecological groups of sensitive species majorly distributed around the slightly disturbed zones of the study area. In summary, variables examined in this study showed that the total organic content does not have a depleting effect on the abundance of macrobenthic invertebrates because the values are within permissible limits but the particle size characteristics present in this study showed good environmental indicator for evaluating macrobenthic invertebrate responses to stress pattern in water bodies along the coastal areas surrounded by various human activities.
Effect of Adding BIOM-S Probiotic on Survival and Growth Rate of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Andriani Yuli , Kamil Taufik Ikhsan , Zidni Irfan , . Iskandar , Herawati Titin
Published: November 2019

This research was conducted in May-June 2017 in Hatchery Indoor Maksudi, Astanaanyar, Bandung. This research aims to find out the optimal BIOM-S probiotic on culture media of Nile tilapia, and the influence to survival rate and growth rate of Nile tilapia. This research was conducted by an experiment using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). This research consisted of five treatments and three replications, which were treatment A (control), treatment B (giving probiotic with 0,6 ml/L concentration), treatment C (giving probiotic with 0,8 ml/L concentration), treatment D (giving probiotic with ,0 ml/L concentration), and treatment E (giving probiotic with 1,2 ml/L concentration). The parameters in this research were the survival rate and specific growth rate. Survival rate and specific growth rate used data analysis with F test to find out the influence of each treatment. The concentration of optimal probiotic based on the results was 0.8 ml/L, it produced the highest survival rate for 81.67% and the specific growth rate for 0.039%.
Expression of Heat Stress Biomarkers in Wild and Cultured African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchel, 1822)
Authors: Oluyemi K. Gbadamosi , Nelson R. Osungbemiro
Published: November 2019

The expression of heat stress biomarkers in wild and cultured African catfish Clarias gariepinus was investigated in this study. Twenty wild and cultured fish species of average weight of 400±50g were obtained from Owena dam, (Latitude: 7°20'46.04"Longitude: 4°59'54.99") and a reputable fish farm in Akure, Ondo State.  Ten male and female fish from the two source were all conditioned for 3days in concrete tanks. The fish were stocked in concrete tanks of 2m x 2m x 1m with the stocking density of 5 in each tank and the water quality parameters were monitored. Fish were subjected to hyperthermia-induced shock at 39oC with the aid of a 2-kW heating rod (Binatone, Japan). At the end of the hyperthermia-induced stress. Blood samples were collected to determine the glucose level and the expression of Heat Shock Protein (HSP). The highest glucose level of 50mg /l was found in the cultured male African catfish and the lowest glucose level of 18mg/l was found in wild female African catfish. There was higher diversity and expression of HSP in cultured female fish than the wild male. The result of this study showed that the expression of stress biomarkers in African catfish Clarias gariepinus was influenced by the gender and the environment where the fish was found with the male and wild fishes showing more resistance to stress.
Economic Analysis of Small-Scale Aquaculture Enterprise in Ghana; a Case Study of Sunyani Municipality
Authors: Anokyewaa Melody Abena , Asiedu Berchie
Published: November 2019

Aims: This study analyses the economic performance and gender distribution of the small-scale aquaculture of Ghana using Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Cash flow as well as gender distribution of the small-scale aquaculture of Ghana. 

Study Design: This study is exploratory in its design. The study identified certain relationships and associations. Data was gathered from a sample drawn from a population.  Questionnaire-based interview was designed and administered to the small scale fish farmers in the Sunyani metropolis. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods will be employed for the study. A case study method will also be used due to the fact that it has the benefit of permitting for an intensive collection of data required to fulfil the goals of the research

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Sunyani Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region of the Republic of Ghana between November 2017 and February 2018.

Methodology: The study randomly selected 20 farms out 40 farms and farmers interviewed using questionnaire. A 600 m2 pond was further selected as a model of the small-scale aquaculture and used to perform the economic analysis.

Results: The total start-up capital for a 600-meter square pond is estimated at $2693.15. Huge part, 56.9 percent, of the amount goes into fixed investment like pond construction, acquisition of land, and farm buildings. The economic analysis shows a viable industry with an estimated NPV of $605.4484 and IRR of 24.19 percent.   

With gender, the study reveals a huge gap in man-woman distribution in the fish farming trade. Majority of the farms surveyed did not females, with the male having 77 against the female with 23%.

Conclusion: The study has found a viable aquaculture industry with high profitability that can improve the livelihood of fish farming households.
A Study on Some Biological Aspects of Giant Snakehead Fish (Channa micropeltes) in Huai Suea Ten Wetland Site in Thailand
Authors: Thaiso Kampon , Yuangsoi Bundit , Wongmaneeprateep Sutee , Niamphithak Pornthep , Wiriyapattanasub Pattama , Tola Siriporn , Charoenwattanasak Siripavee
Published: November 2019

This research was aimed to study on biological aspects of giant snakehead fish (Channa micropeltes) in Huai Suea Ten wetland site, Nam Phong District, Khon Kaen Province in Thailand between April, 2017 and March, 2018. Thirty-six fish species belonging to 17 families were observed at 10 sampling sites. Three Channidae fishes, namely snakehead fish (Channa striata), giant snakehead fish (Channa micropeltes), and forest snakehead fish (Channa lucius), belonging to the family Channidae were reported. A total of 230 giant snakehead fish were found in this survey which consisted of 118 males and 112 females. The sex ratio (male: female) was 1:0.95. The gonadosomatic index value of the female (0.79±0.05%) was higher than that of the male (0.25±0.08%). The body length and body weight of a total of 230 giant snakehead fish observed in this study showed the average of a total body length was 43.71±11.72 cm; and the average of the body weight was 448±173 g/fish. The condition factor of giant snakehead fish observed in 12 months were in a range of 0.45-0.74 for the male and 0.39-0.70 for the female. The ratio of the body and intestinal length of giant snakehead fish was as 1: 0.70. The stomach digesta components, expressed as the percentages of a whole stomach content weight of this fish species consisted of 51.8% of fish fillet, 30.3% of small fish and 17.9% of digested digesta.
Evaluation of the Antioxidant Markers in Clarias gariepinus Heart Exposed to Mercury and Ammonium Chloride
Authors: Eboh A. S. , Arhoghro E. M
Published: November 2019

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities in heart of Clarias gariepinus weighing (15 ± 1.7 g) in toxic exposure to mercury concentrations, 0.1 mg/ L group B, group C 10 mg/L ammonium chloride and group D 0.1 mg/L mercury and 10 mg/L ammonium chloride for 7 consecutive days at 26 ± 1°C temperature. Group A was exposed to water alone and serve as control. At the end of the experimental period, Reduced glutathione (GSH), NO levels and the activities of Peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) in heart were assayed. The result showed a significant increase (P <0.05) in the activities of ALT, Peroxidase, and SOD. However, a significant decrease in the levels of total protein content, GSH and NO were also observed. The results showed that the combined effect of mercury and ammonium had an adverse effect greater than that obtained individually.
Culture of Moina macrocopa Using Different Types of Organic Wastes
Authors: Kabery Kamrunnahar , Anisuzzaman Md. , Jeong U-Cheol , Kang Seok-Joong
Published: November 2019

Moina macrocopa was cultured with different animal manures (chicken manure, pig manure and cow manure) and food waste to determine the impact of these food sources on its mass production. All diets were provided at five different concentrations: 500, 1000, 2500, 5000 and 10000 ppm. Gross and net reproductive rates were higher in 1000 ppm concentration of food waste medium and the highest average population growth was obtained of about 9 org mL-1 whereas pig manure treatment showed the lowest among all the culture medium. The highest population density was observed in low concentration treatments, on the contrary, higher concentrations showed an adverse effect on M. macrocopa cultivation. The results of this study suggest that 1000 ppm concentration of food waste produces better results than other animal manures which showed the highest population density and exhibited a comparatively higher percentage of highly unsaturated fatty acids than the other treatments and could be an inexpensive and sustainable cultivation approach of Moina macrocopa.
Water Quality in the Cultivation of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in the Aquaponic Biofloc System
Authors: Zidni Irfan , . Iskandar , Buwono Ibnu Dwi , Mahargyani Benedikta Prasiwi
Published: November 2019

Aims: Water quality is one of them being an important role in terms of cultivation. Good water quality can support growth productivity in aquaculture. This is also of great concern when the rest of fish metabolism results that can contaminate fish contained in the maintenance media and if water is changed every day, water carrying toxins can pollute the area around the cultivation. One of the first steps to reduce the toxic content found in the maintenance media and the area around cultivation is to use aquaponic cultivation using biofloc. It is also expected to minimize the toxin content in maintenance media. This research aims to determine the comparison of the polyculture stocking density of sangkuriang catfish and nile tilapia which results in water quality that supports fish productivity.

Study Design:  The research was conducted experimentally.

Place and Duration of Study: This research was carried out for 40 days between March 2019 - April 2019 in the Ciparanje Laboratory of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran.

Methodology: The method used in this research is experimental using a completely randomized design (CRD), consisting of 5 treatments with 3 replications. The treatments to be given are dense stocking variations with the following treatments: A(75 catfish:75 tilapia), B(100 catfish:50 tilapia), C(125 catfish:25 tilapia), D(150 catfish), E(150 tilapia).

Results: Water Quality Measured During The Study Namely, DO, Temperature, Ph, Nitrite, Nitrate And Ammonia Are Still In The Threshold For The Growth Of Test Animals During Maintenance.

Conclusion: Based on the results of the research that has been done, it can be concluded that the quality of water in maintenance media using aquaponics biofloc gives good water quality values on maintenance media and is still within the threshold for the growth of catfish and tilapia.
A Short Review on the Halotolerant Green Microalga Asteromonas gracilis Artari with Emphasis on Its Uses
Authors: Hotos George N.
Published: November 2019

The halotolerant green single-celled Asteromonas gracilis isolated from the hypersaline saltern ponds of Messolonghi, Greece, was kept in laboratory cultures, grown effectively at various salinities and used for feeding rotifers, protozoa, copepods and Artemia sp. In all feeding trials all filter feeders accepted A. gracilis and grew. Additionally, as of its morphology, movement and culture reliability Asteromonas is a valuable teaching tool for phycological studies, supreme to the other usual microalgae for this purpose. The exploitation potential of A. gracilis in many sectors awaits research results, as literature data are scarce.
Water Quality Distribution in Situ Gunung Putri Bogor Regency, Indonesia
Authors: Hasan Zahidah , Ilham Thoriq , Andriani Yuli , Herawati Heti , Sulawesty Fachmijany
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to determine water quality distribution in Situ Gunung Putri. This research was conducted from February to March 2019, carried out in Situ Gunung Putri and at the Limnology Research Center of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, both located in Bogor, West Java. The method used was the survey method. The results showed that, at the surface level, the temperature ranged between (28.14±0.52 and 30.61±1.76)°C, transparency between (0.38±0.12 and 0.65±0.06) m, dissolved oxygen (DO) was between 1.92±1.10 and 5.7± 2.55 mg / L, chemical oxygen demand (COD) was between 42.22±9.86 and 54.09±15.89, nitrate between (0.047±0.009 and 0.05±0.015) mg / L, phosphate of (0.015±0.002 and 0.022± 0.004) mg / L and pH was between 7.11± 0.27 and 7.33 ±0.34. Meanwhile at the Secchi depth values of the temperature ranged between (2.93±0.71 and 29.96 ±1.71)°C, DO was 1.14 ±0.90 and 3.37±1.63  mg / L, nitrate was 0.045±0.008 and 0.056±0.019 mg / L, phosphate was 0.016±0.003 and 0.035± 0.043 mg / L and pH was between 6.68± 0.33 and 7.11 ±0.28.  Based on these values water quality parameters except COD in  Situ Gunung Putri is still at the optimal range  for aquatic organisms.
Characteristics and Structure of Freshwater Fish Farmers in Ghana: A Socio-economic Analysis
Authors: Agbekpornu Hayford , Yeboah Doris , Oyih Matthew , Agyakwah Seth Koranteng
Published: November 2019

This Study was undertaken in all the ten (10) administrative regions of Ghana with the aim of examining freshwater fish farmers’ characteristics and structure. Socio-economic status showing characteristics and structure are relevant and contribute towards the designing of more realistic people centered rural development programs in relation to high returns on projects and programmes.

Data was collected in 2016 using a semi-structured questionnaire, loaded unto an online data collection software (Kobo Toolbox) and configured on a tablet.

Results showed that the industry is male dominated. A greater percentage of the male and female respondents were in their productive years (36-65 years), highly educated (tertiary level) and married. The main occupation of most fish farmers is agriculture with an average household size  of 6.

A higher percentage of both sexes had none of their children involved in aquaculture. Average fish farming experience for males and females was 6 and 5 years respectively with a range of 1 to 10 years. Main production systems is pond followed by cages and the key cultured species is tilapia (Oriochromis Niloticus) with the others being catfish (Clarias gariepinus), heterotis (Heterotis niloticus) and snakehead (Barachana obscurus). A greater percentage of the respondents were involved in monoculture system. Both male and female fish farmers practiced mainly semi-intensive system for pond culture followed by intensive system of farming mainly for cage culture. The number of production cycle is mainly 1 followed by 2 in a year. Sampled farmers practiced semi-intensive, intensive and extensive systems of farming and the three main land ownership categories accessed by fish farmers were outright purchased, freehold and leasehold.

Main source of funding for fish farming is self for both sexes. Both accessed their fingerlings mainly from the private sector. A greater percentage procure fish feed from local source while the three main sources of water for fish farming were rivers, streams and boreholes.
Amino Acids Content Comparison with Different Processing Methods (Cook, Raw and Fermented) and Inclusion Levels of Delonix regia in Formulated Fish Diets
Authors: Oyegbile Bosede , Obioma Okeke Rufina , Abubakar Yunusa , Abdullahi Idris , Oziegbe Stanley David
Published: November 2019

This study investigated the effects of different processing methods of Delonix regia seeds on amino acids composition of experimental diets. Ten isonitrogenous diets (40% crude protein) were formulated with cooked, raw and fermented Delonix regia seeds at 0% (Control), 10%, 20% and 30% inclusion levels respectively. Data were analysed using Analysis of Variance, significant differences in means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. All the essential amino acids (lysine, arginine, threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine and phenylalanine) differs significantly among the treatments except histidine which was statistically similar (P > 0.05) across the dietary treatments. The activity of essential and non- essential amino acid concentration was higher in cooked than the fermented and raw Delonix regia seeds. It was concluded that cooked Delonix regia seeds at 10% inclusion levels had the highest activities of essential and non-essential amino acids and could be used to supplement conventional feedstuff for livestock especially in fish nutrition and bioenergetics.
The Efficiency Handline Fishing Gear in Gorontalo Regency, Indonesia
Authors: Olii Abdul Hafidz , Yapanto Lis M. , Akili Sistian Aninditia
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to know the technical efficiency handline fishing gear and allocative efficiency (price) handline fishing gear as well as economic efficiency handline fishing gear in the village Kayubulan Batudaa District of Gorontalo Province.,This study uses quantitative descriptive analysis of the data by using DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) to measure the technical efficiency and CBA (Cost Benefit Analysis) to measure allocative efficiency (price) and the analysis of economic efficiency is the result of technical efficiency and allocative efficiency (price). Analyzing technical efficiency using software DEAP version 2.1. The results showed that the technical efficiency (ET) note that the value of the average value of technical efficiency obtained at0788or <1, meaning that the fishing effort handline fishing is still technically efficient. On average allocative efficiency/price (EH) obtained by3,881or> 1, so the fishing effort by handline fishing gear has been efficient in the allocative. The average economic efficiency obtained for3091 or> 1, so the average fishing effort by handline fishing gear is already economically inefficient.
Evaluation of the Proximate and Functional Properties of Flours from Brown Variety of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) Seeds
Authors: Agunwah Ijeoma M. , Olawuni Ijeoma A. , Ibeabuchi Juliana C. , Uzoukwu Anthonia E. , Alagbaoso Serah O.
Published: November 2019

Aim: To create variety of flours through food product development by checking the proximate and functional properties of flours from brown variety of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) seeds.

Study Design: This study was made to fit into a one way Analysis of Variance.

Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out at the Department of Food Science and Technology laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria, between July 2017 and September 2018.

Methodology: Brown coloured variety of African yam bean seeds were sorted, soaked, dehulled and milled to obtain full fat flour. The full fat flour was further processed to obtain defatted flour, protein isolate and protein concentrate. The different flours were analysed to determine their proximate and functional properties.

Results: From the results of the proximate composition, it showed that the protein isolate value 89.1±0.23% was higher than the protein composition of the full fat, defatted and protein concentrates which has 21.8±0.16%, 23.1±0.06% and 61.7±0.21% composition respectively. There were no significant difference (p<0.05) between the protein concentrate, protein isolate, full fat flour and defatted flour. The functional properties revealed high bulk density of (0.50± 0.01) for the defatted flour more than the full fat flour (0.35± 0.10) while the emulsion capacity of the protein concentrate and protein isolate flour was found to be (30.7±0.19%) and (35.3± 0.16%) respectively.

Conclusion: The proximate and functional results obtained indicate that the starches from African yam bean will have useful technological properties for many applications both in food industries and in the production industries such as in paper and textile industries. It can also be said that African yam bean represents a source of alternative protein supplement and its protein isolates possess certain characteristics that will aid in protein enrichment for some food products.
Predicting the Output of a Hydraulic Ram Pump
Authors: Manohar Krishpersad , Adeyanju Anthony Ademola , Vialva Kureem
Published: November 2019

The use of the hydraulic ram pump has been an attractive alternative in many areas in developing countries and rural areas that do not have or are located far from a reliable source of electricity. However, predicting the actual output delivery of the hydraulic ram pump poses many challenges due to the basic principle on which the hydraulic ram pump operates, the system design that consists of three pipes of different lengths, different diameters in each section and different Darcy-Weisbach friction factors. Based on experimental data, an empirical correlation was developed to predict the delivery output of a hydraulic ram pump for any combination of input and output head height. The accuracy of the predicted theoretical output flow rate was measured against the experimental data. The empirical correlation predicted the output flow rate within ±12% for any combination of input and output head height.
Circadian Rhythm of Oral Temperature in Adult Hyperthyroids, Sudan
Authors: Gumma Sheriff Ishag Ibrahim , Mohamed Salim Hamid Gad Elmoula
Published: November 2019

Introduction:  A 24 hours long cyclic change in body temperature, ie. body temperature circadian rhythm is used as a marker of other body circadian rhythms.

Objectives: To determine circadian rhythm in oral temperature of adult hyperthyroids at Nyala and Alfashir- western cities, Sudan.

Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional of stratified random sampling.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Gezira University, Wadmadani, Sudan, from December 2006 to March 2007.

Methodology: A sample of thirty clinically diagnosed thyrotoxic cases (females = 29, and a male) of age ranging from 18 to 50 years, attended to Sudanese atomic energy corporation (SAEC) for receiving positively confirmed laboratory tests were enrolled to conduct this study. Early morning and late evening oral temperatures were recorded by the mercury-in-glass thermometer. A questionnaire was used to exclude any other fever conditions. Thyroid hormones, ie. T3, T4, and TSH levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) at SAEC of Nyala with reference ranges 0.4 - 4.4 mIU/L, 0.69 - 2.02 nmol/L, and 50 - 150 nmol/L for TSH, T3, and T4 respectively. Subjects of T3 and T4 values above reference ranges with TSH below reference were considered hyperthyroid. The obtained data were analyzed statistically by the statistical package for the social science programme (SPSS), ie. T-test.

Results: Mean oral temperature and circadian rhythm were found to be 37.25 ± 0.34ºC and 0.43 ± 0.30ºC respectively. The effect of sex on mean oral temperature was statistically significant (p = 0.01), whereas age did not show any statistical effect (p = 0.36).

Conclusion: The decreased oral temperature circadian rhythm of thyrotoxic patients, confirms that other body functions also abnormally affected when body temperature circadian rhythm is abnormal.
Determination of Relationship between Thyroid Gland Volume and Anthropometric Indices
Authors: Salaam A. J. , Danjem S. M. , Salaam A. A. , Angba H. A. , Ibinaiye P. O.
Published: November 2019

Objective: To sonographically determine the thyroid gland volume in normal adults in Jos University Teaching Hospital, as well as how it relates to anthropometric factors.

Background: The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body weighing about 10-25g.  It regulates the rate of metabolism and controls the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body. These it does, by producing thyroid hormones, principally thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The accurate estimation of the size of the thyroid is very important for the evaluation and management of thyroid disorders. Thus, knowing the normal size in a geographic location would form a baseline for detecting abnormalities. Ultrasonography is a cheap, readily available, easy to perform and non-invasive method to image the thyroid gland, hence its use in this resource-limited setting.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of sonographic measurement of thyroid gland volume on 400 normal (healthy) adults in Jos, Plateau State, Northern part of Nigeria. All examinations were performed using LOGIC 5, a real-time ultrasound machine using a 10MHZ linear transducer and ultrasound transmission gel to act as a coupling gel. Measurements of each lobe and isthmus were obtained in longitudinal (length), transverse (width) and depth(breath) in centimetres (cm). Blood samples were taken for thyroid function tests. The weight and heights were obtained. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 17. The results were presented in forms of tables, graphs and chart.

Results: The mean thyroid volume for males   6.03 cm3±2.22 was higher than that of females 5.62 cm3±2.14. The mean right lobe volume (RLV) was 3.09 cm3±1.47 and that of males and females were 3.16 cm3 ±1.34 and 3.04 cm3 ±1.55 respectively. The mean left lobe volume (LLV) was 2.69 cm3 ± 1.37 and that of males and females were 2.89 cm3±1.32 and 2.57 cm3±1.39 respectively. The right lobe volume was significantly greater than the left lobe(p=0.000). The total mean isthmus volume was 0.27 cm3±0.31. The mean isthmus volume in males 0.3±0.28 is significantly higher than that of females 0.24±0.23 (p=0.025). The BMI increases in females with increasing age. BMI and BSA are higher in males.

Conclusion: The volume obtained in this study was slightly lower than those reported by previous studies in Nigerian adults. The right lobe volume was higher than that of the left and the volume was higher in males compared to females. Anthropometric parameters were noted to affect the thyroid volume.