Determination of ubiquinone and tocopherol in heart, liver and muscle tissues of fresh water fish, Rohu (Labeo rohita, Hamilton)

The liver, heart and muscle tissues of Rohu, (Labeo rohita, Hamilton) were examined for their ubiquinone (UQ) and tocopherol contents. These three tissues contained respectively 11.60, 3.94 and 0.19 mg of ubiquinone and 10.16, 5.32 and 3.58 mg of tocopherol per 100 g. The 4% (V/V) of diethyl ether (EE) in light petroleum ether (PE) fractions of all three tissues on paper chromatographic separation gave spots having the same Rf value as standard ubiquinone-50 (UQ 10). Both the 4% and 6% (V/V) diethyl ether in light petroleum ether fraction of liver, heart and muscle tissues gave a single spot with the same Rf value as α – tocopherol.

Predation by Channa striatus (Bloch) on Rana tigrina (Daudin), Puntius gonionotus (Bleekeer) and Labeo rohita (Hamilton) in the laboratory

The growth performance of a predatory snakehead, Channa striatus was tested by supplying tadpoles of Rana tigrina and fingerlings of Puntius gonionotus and Labeo rohita as prey for a period of 21 days in aquaria. Prey consumption by C. striatus was significantly different (P<0.05) for different prey used (T1 - R. tigrina, T2 - P. gonionotus, T3 - L. rohita). Tadpoles of R. tigrina were preferred by the predator (C. striatus) over P. gonionotus and L. rohita although tadpole is nutritionally inferior to each of P. gonionotus and L. rohita. Each predator rayed on 50-330 mg per day per g of their body weight. Fish preyed on tadpoles also showed the highest growth. Significant difference in weight gain was found between T1 and T2 and also between T1 and T3 but no difference was found between T2 and T3. Food conversion ratio (FCR) was found to be lowest in treatment T3 followed by the treatments T2 and T1 respectively.

A histological study of the spermatogenesis in Ompok pabda (Hamilton-Buchanan 1822)

The present study deals with the histological analysis of testicular development in Ompok pabda. For the study, male gonads were collected month wise from January to September at Freshwater Station, BFRI, Mymensingh. From the analysis, 4 stages of sperm formation, namely, spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa, were distinguished. The percent distribution of spermatozoa was highest in July (about 92%). Maximum GSI value was 1.129±0.271 found in July. By analyzing the histology of spermatogenesis it was established that this species breeds once in a year.

Observation on the urinogenital papilla and sexual dimorphism in some Indian gobiids (Gobiidae: Teleostei)

A thorough comparative study on the urinogenital papilla and sexual dimorphism has been made for the first time in both the sexes of twelve Indian gobiids: Glassogobius giuris (Hamilton); Acentrogobius cyanomos (Bleeker); Eleotriodes muralis (Valenciennes); Parapocryptes serperaster (Richardson); Apocryptes bato (Hamilton); Scartclaos viridis (Hamilton); Boleophthalmus boddarti (Pallas), Periophthalmus schlosseri (Pallas); P. koelreuteri (Pallas); Taenioides anguillaris (Linnaeus); T. buchanani (Day); Odontamblyopus rubicundus (Hamilton). The urinogenital papilla, originating as a free muscular organ from the ventral surface of the body-wall and shortly behind anus, is present in both the sexes. It is an important organ of primary sex recognition in all species. In case of male the papilla is conical, broad at the base and in female it is either flattened, distally truncated or bluntly rounded. The presence of permanent colour mark over the specific region of the body surface is another secondary sexual character in a few species. Besides, colouration may also be a nuptial secondary sex character developed in some during peak breeding season. The enlargement and colouration of the organ is subject to seasonal variations parallel to the seasonal gonadal cycle. The histological architecture of the papilla shows a high degree of cellular specialization and an interrelationship to the urinary and genital ducts. The functional efficacy and significance of the papilla in the breeding biology of these fishes has been discussed.

Studies on the seasonal cycle of sea surface temperatures, salinities and phytoplankton in Puttalam Lagoon, Dutch Bay and Portugal Bay along the west coast of Ceylon.

The monthly average temperatures at Puttalam Lagoon, Dutch Bay, Portugal Bay towards Kovilmunai and Portugal Bay towards Pallugaturai showed a distinct annual cycle. The peak was in April and values gradually fell till September. There was a further gradual fall in temperature from October to January. The highest temperatures in all four stations were in April. The highest salinities in all the stations were from May to October i.e., during the south-west monsoon. The salinities at Dutch Bay and Portugal Bay were high in March and April corresponding to the highest temperatures reached during these months. Two maxima have been observed in phytoplankton production. A primary maximum in May-June and a secondary maximum in October. The primary and secondary maxima are due to the influx of nutrient laden waters from the rivers Kal Aru and Pomparippu Aru. The phytoplankton producing blooms were Rhizosolenia alata. Rhizosolenia imbricata, Chaetoceros lascinosus, Chaetoceros pervianus, Ch,aetoceros diversus, Coscinodiscus gigas, Thallasionema nitzschioides, Thalassiosira subtilis, Thallassiothrix frauenfeldii, Asterionella japonica, Sceletonema costatum, Bacteriastrum varians and Biddulphia sinensis. Sudden outbursts of a single species were common. These diatoms were species of Chaetoceros and Rhizosolenia, and Thallassiothrix frauenfeldii. Wide fluctuations have been observed in the distribution of phytoplankton but no definite conclusions can be drawn as the period of observation was only one year.

Studies on the seasonal cycle of sea surface temperatures, salinities, oxygen and phytoplankton in Koddiyar Bay, Trincomalee in relation to the shore seine fishery

In Sri Lanka waters, Durairatnam (1963, 1969) had reported on the seasonal variation of plankton at Puttalam lagoon, Dutch Bay, Portugal Bay and in the inshore and off shore waters off Colombo. Similar investigations were carried out at Koddiyar Bay especially in the estuarine waters where the three tributaries of the river Mahaveli empty their waters into the bay. The estuary is perennial. The fishes constituting the estuarine fisheries are mostly shallow water marine species which can tolerate considerable variations of salinities. Prawns and crabs also constitute a very valuable fishery in estuarine waters.

Duty cycle and modelling considerations in three-phase induction motor drives for washing machines

Three-phase induction motors offer significant advantages over commutator motors in some domestic appliances. Models for wide speed range three-phase induction motors for use in a horizontal axis washing machine have been developed using the MEGA finite element package with an external formulation for calculating iron losses. Motor loss predictions have been verified using a novel high accuracy calorimeter. Good agreement has been observed over a wide speed range at different loadings. The model is used to predict motor temperature rise under typical washing machine loading conditions to ensure its limiting temperature is not exceeded and enables alternative designs to be investigated without recourse to physical prototypes. © 2005 IEEE.

Effect of lykamin on growth and biochemical composition of long whiskered catfish, Mystus gulio (Hamilton) fingerlings under laboratory conditions

A growth trial was conducted to test the effect of Lykamin (dietary supplement) on growth, survival and feed conversion in Mystus gulio. Four isoproteic diets were formulated by incorporating the growth promoter, Lykamin at the levels of 0, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75% diet. The crude protein content was 30% in each diet. The diets were fed to triplicate groups of catfish fingerlings twice daily at a level of 5% of the total body weight for 120 days. Regular fortnightly sampling was done to evaluate the growth performance of the experimental animals. Water quality parameters during the experimental period were maintained within the range suitable for catfish. The results showed better specific growth rate, weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and feed conversion ratio in the group which was given 0.75% Lykamin diet.

Food of two size-groups of the catfish Mystus giulio (Hamilton-Buchanan) in Vemblai canal, Vypeen Island

The stomach contents of two length-groups of the catfish Mystus gulio collected from Vemblai Canal in Vypeen Island (Kochi) were examined by frequency of occurrence and points methods. Analyses using standard indices proved difference in diet composition between the two size-groups.

Diesel Cylinder Charge Properties: Feed-Forward Control and Cycle-by-Cycle Analysis Using an In-Cylinder Gas Sampling System

Common-rail fuel injection systems on modern light duty diesel engines are effectively able to respond instantaneously to changes in the demanded injection quantity. In contrast, the air-system is subject to significantly slower dynamics, primarily due to filling/emptying effects in the manifolds and turbocharger inertia. The behaviour of the air-path in a diesel engine is therefore the main limiting factor in terms of engine-out emissions during transient operation. This paper presents a simple mean-value model for the air-path during throttled operation, which is used to design a feed-forward controller that delivers very rapid changes in the in-cylinder charge properties. The feed-forward control action is validated using a state-of-the-art sampling system that allows true cycle-by-cycle measurement of the in-cylinder CO2 concentration. © 2011 SAE International.

Redesigning the design process through interactive simulation: A case study of life-cycle engineering in jet engine conceptual design

Many aerospace companies are currently making the transition to providing fully-integrated product-service offerings in which their products are designed from the outset with life-cycle considerations in mind. Based on a case study at Rolls-Royce, Civil Aerospace, this paper demonstrates how an interactive approach to process simulation can be used to support the redesign of existing design processes in order to incorporate life-cycle engineering (LCE) considerations. The case study provides insights into the problems of redesigning the conceptual stages of a complex, concurrent engineering design process and the practical value of process simulation as a tool to support the specification of process changes in the context of engineering design. The paper also illustrates how development of a simulation model can provide significant benefit to companies through the understanding of process behaviour that is gained through validating the behaviour of the model using different design and iteration scenarios. Keywords: jet engine design; life-cycle engineering; LCE; process change; design process simulation; applied signposting model; ASM. Copyright © 2011 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Studies on the age and growth of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) with an exploitation pattern from the Ganga River system, Uttar Pradesh (India)

Samples were collected to study the age and growth of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) from the river Ghaghra (Guptarghat centre, Faizabad). The scales of L. calbasu have been used for age and growth studies in present paper. Study of the marginal rings on the scales of L. calbasu indicates their annual nature. The fish attained growth in 1st 18.7 cm, 2nd 27.8 cm, 3rd 35.7 cm, 4th 41.8 cm, 5th 46.9 cm, 6th 54.9 cm and 7th 57.4 cm years of the life. The growth rate was observed 18.7, 9.1, 7.9, 6.7, 5.1, 8.0 and 2.5 cm for 1st to 7th age classes respectively. The age groups 1+ to 4+ constituted 91.17% of the total exploited population and 8.83% of remaining age groups (5+ to 7+). The maximum exploited population was observed in 2+ age group with 33.68%. Overall exploitation pattern was systematic and a good indicator for heavy recruitment.

Studies on maturation, spawning, fecundity and sex ratio in Barbus (Puntius) sarana (Hamilton-Buchanan) from Lake Kolleru, Andhra Pradesh

Barbus sarana contains only one batch of mature ova in the mature ovaries to be spawned in one spawning act. It spawns during July-September. The fecundity ranges from 11,201 to 224,248 ova. There is a positive curvilinear correlation between total length and fecundity, the latter increasing with length at a rate of less than cube of length. The stock of this species from Lake Kolleru appears to be more fecund than that inhabiting Loni reservoir. The sex ratio indicates that females outnumber males in all months and in larger length groups. Females appear to reach a larger length than males.