Black yeasts from the slope sediments of Bay of Bengal: phylogenetic and functional characterization

Occurrence of black yeasts in the slope sediments of Bay of Bengal was investigated during FORV Sagar Sampada cruises 236 and 245. The black yeast population was found to be very scanty in the area and the isolates could be obtained from 200m to 1000m depth regions in the slope sediments. The isolates were identified as Hortaea werneckii by Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequencing. The biodegradation potential of these strains was found to be very high with all the strains exhibiting protease, lipase and amylase production. The optimum growth conditions were pH 8, salinity 30 ppt and temperature 30oC. The pigment melanin, in these organisms was identified to be of dihydroxynaphthalene type by NMR. The melanin was found to exhibit inhibitory activity against different human and fish pathogens. Melanin degrading enzyme could also be extracted from these organisms

Studies on Copepods from the EEZ of India-Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea

The main objectives of the study are: To study the seasonal distribution of copepods with special reference to their qualitative and quantitative distribution, with notes on biodiversity in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. To study the spatial and temporal distribution of copepods in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal.To understand the hydrography and the environmental characteristics of the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal and their role in the distribution and biomass of copepods.To study the vertical migration/diurnal migration of the copepods. To study the difference between the coastal and oceanic composition of copepods in the study area and the factors responsible for it.

Actinomycete Isolates from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal: Biochemical, Molecular and Functional Characterization

The thesis is comprised of seven chapters. Chapter 1 gives a general introduction to marine actinomycetes; Chapter 2 gives an account on the morphological, biochemical and physiological characterization of marine actinomycetes. Comprehensive description of molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of actinomycetes is dealt with in Chapter 3. The antimicrobial property with special reference to antivibrio activity is described in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 explores the melanin production ability of marine actinomycetes, characterization of melanin and evaluation of its bioactivity. Chapter 6 illustrates the study on chitinolytic Streptomyces as antifungal and insecticidal agents. Summary and Conclusion of the study is presented in Chapter 7, followed by References and Appendices.The present study provides an insight into the various actinomycetes occurring in the sediments of Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Streptomyces was found to be the dominant group followed by Nocardiopsis. Eventhough generic level identification is possible by traditional phenotypic methods, species level identification necessitate a polyphasic approach including both phenotypic and genotypic characterization. Antibiotic production coupled with biogranulation property helped in the effective utilization of the actinomycetes for the control of vibrios. Melanin from Streptomyces bikiniensis was proved to be a promising antioxidant and photoprotectant. Marine actinomycetes were found to be a good source of hydrolytic enzymes and the chitinolytic isolates could be explored as biocontrol agents in terms of antifungal and insecticidal property. The present study explored the potential of marine actinomycetes especially Streptomycetes as a promising source of bioactive molecules for application in aquaculture and pharmaceutical industry.

Pesticide-handling practices of smallholder coffee farmers in Eastern Jamaica

Pesticide use among smallholder coffee producers in Jamaica has been associated with significant occupational health effects. Research on pesticide handling practices, however, has been scarce, especially in eastern Jamaica. This explorative study aims at filling this gap and provides a first basis to develop effective interventions to promote a safer pesticide use. A random sample of 81 coffee farmers was surveyed. The majority of farmers reported to suffer from at least one health symptom associated with pesticide handling, but safety practices were scarcely adopted. There was also the risk that other household members and the wider local community are exposed to pesticides. The lack of training on pesticide management, the role of health services and the cost for protective equipment seemed to be the most significant factors that influence current pesticide handling practices in eastern Jamaica. Further research is recommended to develop a systemic understanding of farmer’s behaviour to provide a more solid basis for the development of future intervention programmes.

Pecha Kucha: Bay 8

Abstract Following the success of Bay 9's Pecha Kucha, this week Bay 8 are providing the next instalment of the newly established tradition of Pecha Kucha. In 6m40s and 20 slides, each member of Bay 8 will introduce themselves, explaining their background and research interests, so you can put a name to the face, and chat after the event if you have common interests. These mini talks aim to support the collaborative nature of WAIS by introducing each member to the wider group. This week the bay members and Pecha Kuchas are: - The Public Health Analogy in Web Security (Huw) - Social Networking Features in Digital Behaviour Change Interventions (Roushdat) - Computers, Psychology and a lot of coffee (Anna) - Law, computer science and that annoying thing you have to say you’ve read before you can use a website (Emma)

Bay 13 pecha kucha

The talks are by EA Draffan, Nawar Halabi, Gareth Beeston and Neil Rogers. In 6m40s and 20 slides, each member of Bay 13 will introduce themselves, explaining their background and research interests, so those in WAIS can put a name to a face, and chat after the event if there are common interests.

Jamaica modelo de desarrollo turístico sostenible para San Andrés, dentro del marco de la asociación de estados del caribe

Se hace un diagnóstico del desarrollo turístico de SanAndrés, tomando en cuenta la importancia que para éste tiene la evolución histórica vivenciada, lo cual permitirá identificar las fortalezas y debilidades que en materia turística presenta la isla colombiana. De igual forma permitirá conocer qué tan competitiva puede llegar a ser la isla en la región del Caribe y en el contexto internacional. En el segundo capítulo se realiza un análisis del desarrollo de la industria turística de Jamaica, haciendo énfasis en la importancia que tuvo y que tiene para esta industria haber implementado un modelo de Desarrollo Sostenible, que a pesar de presentar actualmente falencias ha generado cambios positivos dentro de la misma. Se hace un estudio del convenio de cooperación entre Colombia y Jamaica, haciendo énfasis en el propósito que llevó a que estos dos Estados unieran sus esfuerzos en busca de un objetivo común, se analiza el mecanismo que realmente podría llevar a la práctica el convenio, la creación de la comisión de vecindad colombo-jamaiquina, la cual sin duda alguna es de gran ayuda en el desarrollo y logro de las metas propuestas por parte de los dos países.

Lógica en la toma de decisiones de inversión en el sector de extracción de petróleo y gas natural

Este documento se centra en la presentación de información y análisis de la misma a la hora de establecer la manera en que empresas del sector de extracción de gas natural y generación de energía a base de dicho recurso, toman decisiones en cuanto a inversión, centrándose en la lógica que usan a la hora de emprender este proceso. Esto debido a la constante necesidad de establecer procesos que permitan tomar decisiones más acertadas, incluyendo todas las herramientas posibles para tal fin. La lógica es una de estas herramientas, pues permite encadenar factores con el fin de obtener resultados positivos. Por tal razón, se hace importante conocer el uso de esta herramienta, teniendo en cuentas de qué manera y en que contextos es usada. Con el fin de tener una mayor orientación, este estudio estará centrado en un sector específico, el cual es el de la extracción de petróleo y gas natural. Lo anterior entendiendo la necesidad existente de fundamentación teórica que permita establecer de manera clara la forma apropiada de tomar decisiones en un sector tan diverso y complejo como lo es el mencionado. El contexto empresarial actual exige una visión global, no basada en la lógica lineal causal que hoy se tiene como referencia. El sector de extracción de petróleo y gas natural es un ejemplo particular en cuanto a la manera en cuanto se toman decisiones en inversión, puesto que en su mayoría son empresas de capital intensivo, las cuales mantienen un flujo elevado de recursos monetarios.

Jamaica.

Forma parte de una serie dedicada a países de varios continentes seleccionados para que los jóvenes lectores comparen similitudes y diferencias entre cada uno de ellos y con el suyo en particular. Se aprecian las diferencias entre ellos pero sobre todo se destacan aquellas cosas comunes a todos estos pueblos. Este volumen se centra en esta isla caribeña, muestra su situación geográfica, las características de sus tierras, de sus habitantes y de su capital, Kingston. También, las riquezas naturales (bauxita, agricultura) y sus aspectos sociales ( comida, música, turismo).

Phytobenthic assemblages of Addaia Bay (Menorca, Western Mediterranean): composition and distribution

Study on the composition and distribution of Phytobenthic Assemblages of Addaia Bay (Menorca, Western Mediterranean)