Length-weight relationship of Tilapia mossambicus of Idukki Reservoir

The results of ten months study (September 1983 to July 1984) of the length-weight relationship of males and females of Tilapia mossambicus of the reservoir waters of Idukki Hydel Project show deviation from the cubic relationship of these two parameters. This is due to the retarded growth pattern of this exotic species in this oligotrophic habitat.

Changes in length and weight of milkfish fry preserved in formalin

Fry shrank immediately after they were preserved in formalin, but from the second week onwards shrinkage was almost nil. Fry in freshwater formalin solutions shrunk less than those in seawater formalin solutions. It is recommended that milkfish Chanos) fry be preserved in formalin solutions for 1 wk prior to length measurement and at least for 3 wks before determining body weight.

Prevention of infestation by Dermestes maculatus Degeer in east African dried fish using pyrethrum and piperonyl butoxide

East African sun-dried fish dipped for 4 seconds in different solutions of pyrethrum and piperonyl butoxide were analysed for insecticide residue limits. All analyses showed residues above the FAO/WHO MRL; exceeding factors of between 7.6 (22.9 ppm) and 1.6 (5.3 ppm) were found for pyrethrum while exceeding factors between 5.1 (102 ppm) and 1.7 (33.1 ppm) were common for piperonyl butoxide after 6 months storage at ambient temperature. All insecticide treated fish, regardless of dip concentration, were observed to be less susceptible to infestation by Dermestes maculatus than samples of untreated fish. No dry weight losses due to insect infestation were recorded, however moisture evaporation caused weight losses between 6 and 8% during the period. Further investigations showed that careful handling and a dip concentration more in accordance with FAO/WHO MRL than the commercial practice will reduce the cost of insecticides from K.sh. 0.72 to K.sh. 0.23 per kg pyrethrum treated fish.

Determination of some dominant genetic characteristics and morpho-meristic features for selection of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) broodstocks

In this study, Iranian and French male and female Oncorhynchus mykiss broodstocks were divided into two groups 50 and 24 respectively in Research center of genetic and breeding of coldwater fishes, Yasouj, Iran and the genetic structure of them was investigated using 6 microsatellite markers. Then 19 morphometric and 5 meristic of broodstock were measured and compared in two populations. Along with broodstock maturation, fertilization 1:1(female:male) were randomly assigned and occurred in 25 of 12 Iranian and French treatment respectively. Reproductive parameters were recorded for the whole family. Average number of observed alleles in Iranian and French stocks was 6.68 and 6.83, respectively. Average number of effective alleles in Iranian and French stocks was 3.13 and 3.45 respectively. Fixation index Fst was calculated based on allelic frequency between two stocks was 0.058 with significant difference between 2 stocks. Morphometric analysis showed significant difference between two stocks in 8 characteristics. Meristic characters was without significant difference in broodstock groups. Eyed percentage for french broodstock calculated zero and deleted. Fertilization rate (100-0), the eyed percentage (98- 0), The hatch rate (98-0), the average fecundity 4114.708, the average eggs size 4.88 mm, Survival in the first three months 19-73% calculated for Iranian broodstocks. Considering the quality of eggs and larvae at different stages and selection between the different family and the within family remained 10 treatments and are kept as future broodstocks. The relationship between fecundity - egg size, fecundity - weight , fecundity - length, egg size- weight was performed using regression. The results showed that Fecundity was influenced more by weight and productive length. The research is beginning to ID the broodstock in our country.

The study of biological characteristics and determination of population dynamic parameters of sawtooth barracuda (Sphyraena putnamae) in the Persian Gulf (Hormozgun Province waters)

The biological characteristics and population dynamisms of Sphyraena putnamae, were studied in the northern Persian Gulf and Oman Sea restricted to Hormuzgan province waters within 13 months period, from November 2006 up to November 2007. Biometrical and anatomical measurements were carried out, and biological surveys were conducted on 486 specimens. On the other hand, the growth and mortality parameters were estimated by using 3096 samples. These samples were collected from 3 landings, namely Bandar Abbas, Bandar Lengeh and Bandar Jask. The measurements of the minimum and maximum Fork lengths and weights were 11.7 to 8.03 cm and 135.0 to 4140.0 g, respectively. The results indicated that this species, having the Relative Length of Gut, RLG=0.34±0.002, is strongly carnivorous (often fish-eater), proven by the fact that more than 98% of its stomach contents were fish pieces. Examining the changes in the index of stomach emptiness by the percentage of CV = 0.47% indicates that this fish is Moderate feeder. The level of feeding increased in March, before spawning and decreased in June and September, simultaneously with the spawning season. There are 2 peaks of reproduction or spawning seasons during the months of April-May and September, of which the prior is assumed as the main spawning. The sex ratio (M:F) was calculated 0.5:1.0(X2 =2.11), which did not show a significant difference with expected level of 1:1 (P>0.05). The average absolute and relative reproduction rates of Sphyraena putnamae is respectively as follows: 1866827.1±255448.9 and 1097.7±94.3. The highest and the lowest diameter of matured egg are from 200 to 750 μ, and its average diameter is 402.10 ± 0.190 μ. A parameter for Saw-tooth barracuda length measurement, Lm50, based on the Fork-length, was calculated as 54.01 cm. In other words, as far as the fisheries management is concerned, the fish whose lengths are less than 54.01 cm should not be caught. The calculated level of (R2) (correlations of total length & weight), indicated strong correlations between length and weight of this fish, and the obtained formula included W =0.007100 FL 2.9295 and reinforced this assumption. The “K” Index for this fish in 3 above mentioned landings (Jask, Bandar-Abbas and Bandar-Length) were 1.24, 0.37 and 0.46 per year, respectively and the FL index for the same landings were estimated as 129, 110 and 134 cm, respectively. The growth coefficient (MONRO) for the above mentioned regions were calculated as 3.601, 3.647 and 3.917, respectively; and in the surveyed regions there were no significant differences in populations. The Total mortality coefficient (Z) was calculated 0.76, 1.12 and 1.07 per year, the Natural mortality coefficient was 0.46, 0.63 and 0.70, and the Fishing mortality coefficient (rate) (F) was found to be 0.30, 0.49 and 0.37 per year. The value of the exploitation rate (E) is equal to 0.39 per year, indicating that this species is an under-exploited resource, and there is no excessive fishing pressure on the fish supply of this species in the afore-said regions. The highest level of exploitation was found for ‘Bandar Abbas’ fishing region and the lowest level of exploitation is in ‘Bandar Lengeh’ waters.

SEASONAL-CHANGES IN BODY-WEIGHT OF MACACA-THIBETANA AT MT-EMEI, CHINA

This 1991-1992 study was designed to expand previous research on body weight (BW) in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Emei. Data on BW were collected in late autumn (LA) and late winter (LW) in groups ranging above 1,200 m. Over the winter, the BW fell significantly from a mean of 16.8 to 11.4 kg in females and from 19.5 to 17.0 kg in males. The previously reported BW means of 12.8 kg for females and 18.3 kg for males, measured in late spring, are near the center of the annual BW range for this species. In addition, with the sharper decline of female BW (- 32% vs. - 13% seen in males), the sexual dimorphism ((M) over bar/(F) over bar) in BW increased from 1.16 in LA to 1.49 in LW. This finding may be related to differential parental investment by two sexes. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Elevated levels of urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in male electrical and electronic equipment dismantling workers exposed to high concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polychlorinated biphenyls

To investigate the occupational exposure levels to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), indoor dust (n = 3) in workshops and hair samples from male workers (n = 64) were collected at two electrical and electronic equipment waste (E-waste) dismantling factories located in the LQ area in east China in July 11-13, 2006. Pre- and postworkshift urines (64 of each) were also collected from the workers to study oxidative damage to DNA using 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a biomarker. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCDD/F-WHO-TEQs, PBDEs, PCBs and PCB-WHO-TEQs were (50.0 +/- 8.1) x 10(3), 724.1 +/- 249.6, (27.5 +/- 5.8) x 10(6), (1.6 +/- 0.4) x 10(9), (26.2 +/- 3.0) x 10(3) pg/g dry weight (dw) in dust, and (2.6 +/- 0.6) x 10(3), 42.4 +/- 9.3, (870.8 +/- 205.4) x 10(3), (1.6 +/- 0.2) x 10(6), 41.5 +/- 5.5 pg/g dw in hair, respectively. The homologue and congener profiles in the samples demonstrated that high concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PBDEs, and PCBs were originated from open burning of E-waste. The 8-OHdG levels were detected at 6.40 +/- 1.64 mu mol/mol creatinine in preworkshift urines. However, the levels significantly increased to 24.55 +/- 5.96 mu mol/mol creatinine in postworkshift urines (p < 0.05). Then, it is concluded that there is a high cancer risk originated from oxidative stress indicated by the elevated 8-OHdG levels in the E-waste dismantling workers exposed to high concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PBDEs, and PCBs.

In situ studies on the bioaccumulation of microcystins in the phytoplanktivorous silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) stocked in Lake Taihu with dense toxic Microcystis blooms

The phytoplanktivorous silver carp is an important biomanipulation fish to control cyanobacterial blooms and is also a food fish with the greatest production in China. The accumulation of the hepatotoxic microcystins (MCs) determined by LC-MS in various organs of silver carp was studied monthly in Lake Taihu dominated by toxic Microcystis aeruginosa. Average recoveries of spiked fish samples were 78% for MC-RR and 81% for MC-LR. The highest content of MCs was found in the intestine (97.48 mu g g(-1) DW), followed by liver (6.84 mu g g(-1) DW), kidney (4.8 8 mu g g(-1) DW) and blood (1.54 mu g g(-1) DW), and the annual mean MC content was in the order of intestine > liver > kidney > blood > muscle > spleen > gallbladder > gill. Silver carp could effectively ingest toxic Microcystis cells (up to 84.4% of total phytoplankton in gut contents), but showed fast growth (from 141 g to 1759 g in I year in mean weight). Silver carp accumulated less microcystins in liver than other animals in the same site or other fish from different water bodies at similar level of toxin ingestion. There was possible inhibition of the transportation of the most toxic MC-LR across the gutwall. Muscle of silver carp in Lake Taihu should not be consumed during period of dense Microcystis blooms while viscera were risky for consumption in more months. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optimization of RP-HPLC analysis of low molecular weight organic acids in soil

RP-HPLC analysis for low molecular weight organic acids in soil solution has been optimized. An Atlantis (TM) C-18 column was used for the analyses. An optimal determination for eleven organic acids in soil solution was found at room temperature (25 degrees C) and 220 nm detection wavelength, with a mobile phase of 10 mM KH2PO4 -CH3OH (955, pH 2.7), a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min and 10 mu L sample size. The detection limits ranged 3.2-619 ng/mL, the coefficients of variation ranged 1.3-4.6%, and the recoveries ranged 95.6-106.3% for soil solution with standard addition on the optimal conditions proposed.

Absorption spectra of Se-8-ring clusters in zeolite 5A

Samples with different weight ratio of Se to zeolite 5A (Se concentration) have been prepared by loading Se into the pores of zeolite 5A, and the measuerments of the absorption and Raman spectra have been carried out for the prepared samples. The measured absorption edges of the samples are close to the value for monoclinic Se containing Se-8-ring, suggesting the formation of Se-8-ring clusters(1) in the pores. The continuous and broadening features of the absorption spectra are interpreted by the strong electron-nucleus coupling in the Se-8-ring cluster. The absorption edges are red shifted with the increase of the Se concentration. It is tentatively attributed to two reasons. One is the existence of the double Se-8-ring cluster in the high Se concentration samples, and the other is that for the strong electron-nucleus coupling cluster, the absorption edge of the clusters system will be red shifted with the increase of the cluster concentration in the clusters system. A single broad band at about 262 cm(-1) is observed in the Raman spectra, which further supports the formation of Se-8-ring clusters. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science S.A.

Absorption and Raman spectra of Se-8-ring clusters in zeolite 5A

Samples with different weight ratio of Se to zeolite 5A (Se composition) have been prepared by loading Se into the cages of zeolite 5A and the measurements of the absorption and Raman spectra have been carried out for the prepared samples. The measured absorption edges of the samples close and blue shifted to the value for monoclinic Se containing Se-8-ring, suggesting the formation of Se-8-ring clusters dagger in the cages. The continuous and broadening features of the absorption spectra are interpreted by the strong electron-phonon coupling in Se-8-ring clusters. The sample with high Se composition has a red shift of the absorption band edge relative to the samples with less Se composition. It is tentatively attributed to the reason that with different Se composition, single Se-8-ring clusters and double Se-8-ring clusters are formed in the cages of zeolite 5A. A single broad band at about 262 cm(-1) is observed in the Raman spectra, that gives the further support of the formation of Se-8-ring clusters. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd

岷江柏种子的形态和发芽特征与贮藏生理动态研究

岷江柏(Cupressus chenggiana S. Y. Hu)是我国川甘地区特有的珍稀濒危乔木，一般生长在干旱的河谷区，在涵养水源和保护水 土等方面起着重要的作用。本文选择4个岷江柏种群，采用了野外调查和室内实验相结合的研究方法，调查岷江柏种群结实状况， 分析种子和球果形态特征，阐明种子发芽的基本特征，研究岷江柏种子贮藏过程中几个生理指标的动态变化特点，目的是为岷江柏 种苗繁育、自然更新能力评估以及珍稀濒危机制分析提供理论依据。研究得出如下结论：1.岷江柏球果呈椭球形，长为1.5～ 2.2cm,宽为1.5～1.9cm，质量为1.7～4.2g，球果鳞片数量为8～11片，球果内种子数量一般在40～70粒。岷江柏种子为椭圆形，长 为3.58～4.02mm，宽为3.10～3.15mm，厚为0.96～1.11mm，千粒重为3.1～3.5g。岷江柏的结实率很低，并且有显著的地理差异和 大小年差异。2. 岷江柏种子发芽温度范围是5℃～30℃,其中种子的适宜发芽温度范围是10℃～25℃。种子最适发芽温度随着贮藏 时间的增加而变化。在适宜温度范围内，种子发芽周期为20d。温度对种子的发芽势和T50有显著影响，对种子发芽率没有显著影响 ；光照有利于种子发芽；岷江柏种子的发芽特征是岷江柏保护种子资源、防止物种濒危的一种环境适应，有助于岷江柏种子提高发 芽率和幼苗的存活率。岷江柏种子是一种耐贮藏的正常性种子，在短期贮藏过程中，贮藏温度和种子含水量对于种子生理指标和种 子发芽没有显著影响。3. 岷江柏种子在短期贮藏过程中，千粒重没有显著变化；含水量都经历了先下降，再稳定的过程；粗脂肪 含量和可溶性糖含量逐渐降低；可溶性蛋白含量和丙二醛含量逐渐增加；脯氨酸含量在贮藏1～7个月时变化差异不明显，但是贮藏 7～10个月后显著增加。岷江柏种子的各个生理指标之间的相关性差异不显著。4. 岷江柏球果和种子的形态特征存在显著的地理差 异。岷江柏种子的发芽能力的地理性差异不大，种群间差异不大。岷江柏种群的地理差异由种群特征、生境特征和气候特征共同决 定。5. 在岷江柏的人工繁育中，对于刚刚采集的种子，发芽温度在15℃～25℃比较适合，其中以25℃最佳；而对于短期贮藏(4～ 10个月)后的种子，发芽温度在10℃～25℃均可，以15℃～20℃为最佳。野外播种的最适时间为4～6月，6～9月的间歇性干旱和降 水波动可能是限制岷江柏自然更新的因素之一。在短期贮藏过程中，种子可以采用常规室温贮藏，可以节约成本。Cupressus chenggiana is a specific and endangered plant in Sichuan and Gansu provinces of China, and it usually grows in dry valley and plays an important role in water supply and soil and water conservation in the dry valley of alpine and canyon region of southwest China. The research selected four Cupressus chenggiana populations and used the methods of the field investigation and the lab experiments. The fruiting characters of Cupressus chenggiana populations, the morphological characters of seeds and cones, the germination characters of seeds and the store physiological dymatics of several factors of seeds have been studied in order to give some theoretical advices on the artificial propagation and the ability of natural regeneration and the endangered principle of Cupressus chenggiana in the paper. The main results may be clarified as follows: 1. The cones of Cupressus chenggiana are ellipsoidal, length ranged from 1.5 to 2.2cm, with ranged from 1.5 to 1.9 cm, weight ranged from 1.7 to 4.2g, the number of cone squama ranged from 8 to 11, and the seed number of per cone ranged from 40 to 70. The seeds of Cupressus chenggiana are elliptical, length ranged from 3.58 to 4.02 mm, width ranged from 3.10 to 3.15 mm, thickness ranged from 0.96 to 1.11 mm, and the weight of 1000 seeds ranged from 3.1 to 3.5g. The fruiting rate of Cupressus chenggiana is very low, and the fruiting period of Cupressus chenggiana has the geographical differences and the big or small year differences. 2. Seed germination temperature is between 5℃ and 30℃, while the suited temperature is between 10℃ and 25℃. The optimum temperature of seed germination will change as the store time of seeds changes logner. The cycle of seed germination can persist 20 days in the range of the suited temperature. The germination temperatures have significant influences on the germination potential and T50, but have no significant infuluences on the germination rate. The photoperiod is in favor of seed germination. The characters of Cupressus chenggiana seed germination represent a kind of environmental adaptability to protect the seed sources and endangered species, and it can give help to increase the germination rate of seeds and the livability of seedings. The seeds of Cupressus chenggiana are a kind of orthodox seeds that can endure the long time storage. In the short time storage, the store temperatures and the moisture contents of seeds have no significant infuluences on the physiological factors and the germination of seeds, but the store time has significant influences on the physiological factors of seeds. 3. In the short store course of Cupressus chenggianna seeds, the 1000 seed weight has no significant variation; The moisture content descends at the beginning of the storage, but has no significant variation later; The crude fat content and the soluble sugar content descend gradually; The soluble protein content and MDA content increase gradually; The praline content has no significant variation after 1～7 months storage, but increase significantly after 7～10 months storage. The correlations of different physiological factors are not significant. 4. The morphological characters of cones and seeds of four populations exist significant differences. The germination of Cupressus chenggiana seeds has no significant geographical variation. The geographical variation of Cupressus chenggiana populations can be ascribed to the population characters, climate and environment. 5. In the course of artificial propagation of Cupressus chenggiana, it is favored that the germination temperature of newly collected seeds is between 15℃ and 25℃, while the optimum temperature is 25℃. After the short storage ranged from 4 months to 10 months, it is favored that the germination temperature is between 10℃ and 25℃, while the optimum temperature is ranged from 15℃ to 20℃. The field sowing optimum time is between April and June, and the interval drought and fallrain fluctuation between July and September may be one of the reasons that restrict natural regeneration of Cupressus chenggiana. In the short storage, seeds can be stored in the condition of room temperature.

Acid effects on protein molecular weight determination

The acid effects of some proteins on measuring their molecular weights were studied using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry ( MALDI-TOF-MS) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). It was found that the signal intensity was enhanced through adjusting the acid concentration in some protein samples. In this paper, both MALDI-MS and ESI-MS was applied to examine the molecular weights of several standard proteins. And the proper acid concentration was detected in these spectra. In the meanwhile, it demonstrates that some associations of proteins in solution can be preserved into the gas phase and observed by the "soft ionization" mass spectrometry.

Crystallization kinetics of narrow molecular weight distribution metallocene short-chain-branched polyethylene

Isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of three metallocene-catalysed short-chain-branched polyethylene (SCBPE) fractions with different degree of branching were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Narrow molecular weight fractions (M-w = 20,000 and M-w/M-n < 1.15) are used and the degree of branching (CH3 per 1000C) are 1.6, 10.4, 40 respectively. The regime I - II transition temperature are 119.8C, 115.9 degreesC, 113.3 degreesC with the decreasing of degree of branching. Increasing the branch content decreases the rate of secondary nucleation, i,relative to the rate of surface spreading and so increases the range of supercooling over which regime I exists. The rate of bulk crystallization for both isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization decreases with the increasing of degree of branching. Both Ozawa Equation and Kissinger Equation are invalid for non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of SCBPE fractions,that means the effects of the branched chain on crystallization process are more complex than expected.

Estimates of genetic parameters for growth traits of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus intermedius

Heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated for body weight, test diameter, and test height of the sea urchin from measurements on progeny resulting from 11 sires and 33 dams by artificial fertilization of 3 females by single males, and measurements at 8, 10, and 12 months after metamorphism. Point estimate for heritabilities based on the sire components of variance were moderate to high for body weight (0.21-0.49), test diameter (0.21-0.47), and test height (0.22-0.37). Genetic correlations were significant for body weight with test diameter (0.30similar to0.65) and test height (0.30similar to0.54) and test diameter with test height (0.31similar to0.65). Genetic correlation estimates, derived the nested design and half-sib correlation analysis used in this study, appear to provide reliable estimates. Significant phenotypic correlations were found for body weight with test diameter (0.82similar to0.86) and test height (0.49similar to0.83), and test diameter with test height (0.47similar to0.84). The phenotypic correlations for test height with body weight (0.491) and test diameter (0.467) at 12 months' of age were smaller than those earlier sampling periods.(C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.