Preliminary studies on blanching of prawn

The paper represents results on the studies undertaken to find out the causes of irregular drained weight conditions in commercial canned prawn samples. The tendency of cooked prawn to attain the equilibrium moisture content (72-74% in M. affinis and M. dobsoni) when in contact with brine has been found to be mainly responsible for the loss and gaine in drained weight. Underblanching results in loss of moistures from the meat during processing. It has been found that under standard blanching conditions, which is independent of initial moisture content, salt concentration of the blanch liquor and the temperature of sterilisation, the fluctuation in the drained weight could be avoided.

Optimization of stocking density for environmental-friendly improved extensive shrimp farming system in south-west part of Bangladesh

An experimental culture practice of P. monodon on extension approach was conducted in two brackish water earthen ponds of Demonstration Farm and Training Center (DFTC), Kaliganj, Satkhira. The experiment was aimed to provide farmers with appropriate technology that can immediately improve pond yield with keeping the environment in friendly condition. For optimization of stocking density of a cost effective environmental friendly improved extensive shrimp farming, the ponds were stocked with coastal river post larvae of P. monodon at the stocking rates of 2 pls/m² and 2.5 pls/m² without supplementary feeding. To control experimental error another five farmer's gher were used as replicates of each demo-pond. Considering the farmers buying ability, cost of inputs and other facilities kept minimal. The impact of stocking density was evaluated on the basis of growth, survival rate, production and economic return. Better production (average 299.01 kg/ha) with same survival rate (39.33%) were found with a stocking density of 2.5 pls/m² without causing any deterioration in the culture environment.

Protein from blanch liquor

A process is described for isolation of edible protein from blanch liquor, which is discarded as a waste at present from prawn canning factories. The protein isolated is colourless and odourless and contains an appreciable amount of salt from the brine used for blanching prawns. It is comparable to fish protein concentrate in amino acid composition.

Effect of vitamin E (α-Tocopherol) on protein content of Labeo rohita (Ham.) fry

Increase in body protein concentration was noted in the fry of rohu fed vitamin E at 0.0 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg/kg of formulated diet. The protein content of fry was found to be significantly different between the different levels of vitamin E. It was found to be maximum (18.7%) in the case of vitamin E at 75 mg/kg diet followed by vitamin E at 100 mg/kg diet. On increasing of vitamin E above 100 mg per kilogram diet there was further decline in the protein content of the fry. The protein increase, from the initial value (12.5%), were recorded to be 14.4%, control; 21.6%, 25 mg level; 31.2%, 50 mg level; 49.6%, 75 mg level; 45.6%, 100 mg level; 14.4%, 150 mg level; 28% 200 mg level; 29.6%, 300 mg level and 13.6% for 400 mg level in different experimental groups.

葡萄浆果成熟与延迟采收期间糖酸变化特点的研究

连续2年对“京秀”ד亚历山大”（编号97-2）杂交后代10个单株和“京秀”ד香妃”（编号97-3）杂交后代10个单株成熟期和延迟采收期的糖酸组分含量进行测定，以了解葡萄浆果延迟采收内在品质的变化差异。第二年 对可长期挂果的亲本“京秀”、“亚历山大”和杂交后代单株“97-2-23”、“97-2-24”成熟期和延迟采收期糖酸组分动态变化进行测定，以了解葡萄浆果糖酸品质延迟采收期的动态变化规律。同时对以上四个单株的浆果中蔗糖代谢相关酶活性和浆果呼吸强度进行测定，以对不同蔗糖表现型的产生原因进行探讨。研究表明： 葡萄延迟采收，浆果内可溶性糖变化可分为积累型和稳定型两种类型。延迟采收3周，糖积累型的8个单株浆果 可溶性糖显著积累，而稳定型的12个单株的糖与成熟时不存在显著差异。浆果主要积累果糖和葡萄糖，这两种糖的 动态变化趋势基本一致，但果糖变化幅度较大。两种类型的有机酸含量在延迟采收期间变化不大，没有显著差异。 糖积累型的“京秀”和“97-2-23”延迟采收期间各蔗糖分解酶（酸性转化酶、中性转化酶、蔗糖合成酶分解方 向）活性持续升高，但糖稳定型的“亚历山大”和“97-2-24”延迟采收第3周时急剧降低。此外，果实成熟和延迟 采收期间两种糖表现型浆果的呼吸速率也存在差异。浆果的蔗糖分解酶活性和呼吸速率存在的差异可能是两种类型 延迟采收期间糖含量存在差异的重要原因。

中国古牡丹资源调查及衰老相关研究

牡丹（Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.）是芍药科芍药属牡丹组植物，花大、色艳、型美、香郁、药用范围广、文化内涵丰富，被尊为“国色天香”、“花中之王”。我国植牡丹、赏牡丹有1600多年的历史，培育了许多价值高的品种，遗憾的是个别黄色、鲜红色、绿色等珍贵品种不断消失，而且现有的一些文化价值与观赏价值极高的古牡丹、著名的牡丹园的老牡丹均出现了衰弱现象，有的已奄奄一息。为了探索传统牡丹品种消失及牡丹衰老的原因，本研究在充分调查、整理国内品种资源的基础上，总结了牡丹品种的传承和消失情况，掌握了古牡丹的资源状况。通过连作土壤栽培试验证明了牡丹连作障碍的存在，并选定了生长在同一区域的5、10、15、20、25、30年生6个株龄的‘洛阳红（Luo Yang Hong）’为研究对象，从形态指标的调查、生理指标的测定、根际土壤及根系浸提液的化感成分分析三个方面着手，确定了牡丹开始衰老的时期;揭示了牡丹衰老机理;总结了古牡丹保留、复壮、养护办法;为牡丹专类园的管理及可持续性发展提供了理论和技术指导。本研究主要结果如下： 1、牡丹品种和古牡丹资源 通过对中国牡丹品种资源的文献查阅和实地考察，系统整理了我国不同时代的品种状况，调查结果表明：宋、元、明、清共有品种1109种，目前仅存143种，品种资源消失十分严重。收集整理了49处古牡丹资料，并据此绘制了我国目前古牡丹分布图;实地调查了17处24株古牡丹，详细介绍了部分品种的来历传说、生长状况和衰亡原因。5个优良传统品种在中国科学院植物研究所牡丹种质资源圃内得以保存，其中潞城古牡丹，植株最大（高2.3 m，冠径5.6 m），且生长旺盛;西溪牡丹属丰花品种，40年植株可开花811朵。 2、牡丹连作障碍 利用牡丹连作根际土壤及其浸出液栽培牡丹，结果表明，播种苗及分株苗的生长均受到了抑制;连作年限越久的处理抑制作用越强;根际土壤浸出液对牡丹生长的影响较大，对前期地下部和后期地上部都有很强的抑制作用，而且还抑制了上胚轴休眠的解除;根际土壤对后期株高和展叶幅的影响较大，对播种苗前期生根影响不大。牡丹存在连作障碍现象，连作障碍是牡丹衰弱的重要原因。 3、牡丹衰老时间及机理 通过对6 个株龄‘洛阳红’的形态、生理指标及根际土壤化感成分的比较得出，牡丹在同一地方大约栽植15 年后开始衰弱，20 年以内应该采取复壮措施。利用气相色谱—质谱联用技术（Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer, GC-MS）检测到根际土壤及根系浸提液中主要存在：烷烃、烯烃、芳香烃、醇、醚、酚醌、有机酸、醛、酮、酯、苯、胺等12 类有机物。对比分析得出有12 种物质可能是根系分泌物，根际土壤中可能具毒害作用的物质有40 种，栽植牡丹使土壤中增加的物质有24 种。 4、古牡丹复壮技术及应用 栽培基质中添加活性炭、沙子、麦饭石等均能有效的促进牡丹的生长，以活性炭的效果最好。对“汉牡丹”实施了综合复壮措施，效果明显。

MPC: A paradigm shift for automatic control

Model Predictive Control (MPC) represents a major paradigm shift in the field of automatic control. This radically affects synthesis techniques (illustrated by control of an unstable system) and underlying concepts (illustrated by control of a multivariable system), as well as lifting the control engineer's focus from prescriptions to specifications ('what' not 'how', illustrated by emulation of a conventional autopilot). Part of the objective of this paper is to emphasize the significance of this paradigm shift. Another part is to consider the fact that this shift was missed for many years by the academic community, and what this tells us about teaching and research in the field.

The Sundarbans fishers coping in an overly stressed mangrove estuary

The fishing community of the Sundarbans are the human group most at home in the mud-slush-water-forest environment of this famous mangrove estuary. Their skills, knowledge, and technique have developed in response to a challenging environment. Yet, of the countless studies on the various aspects of this eco-region, there are exceedingly few that have studied the Sundarbans fisher in his/her ecological, historical and demographic context—as a key stakeholder in an environment under considerable stress. The present study seeks to reduce this lacuna a little. Its object is not merely to examine and analyse, but also to identify means, both tradition-based and innovative, which might contribute to protect the environment, improve economic conditions, and usher in people-based governance of resources.

A report on frame and catch assessment surveys on Nabugabo lakes, north west, Lake Victoria Basin, Uganda

The Nabugabo lakes are an important source of affordable protein food in the form of fish, income, water for domestic and commercial purposes (aquaculture farm and Hotels), handcraft materials (mats, hats, roof thatch) and fishing floats and rafts. Nabugabo lakes provide employment, income and export earnings to Uganda that flow from the act of harvesting the fish. In Uganda the fisheries sector directly employs 350,000 people and indirectly 1.2 million people. In 2005, it is estimated that about 370,000 mt fish export (97-98% Nile perch) earned Uganda US $ 143 Million up from US $ 103 million in 2004 .and up from US $ 45 million in 1996. , making it almost become the first non' traditional export commodity. The Nabugabo lakes are also import for cultural values and fish species from these lakes are important in evolutionary studies. The fishery sector is therefore very important in Uganda's socio-economic life. Despite the above values to the communities and global biodiversity roles, the amount of fish caught and the number fishing fleets operating on the Nabugabo lakes to guide management of the lake are lacking. The fishery that exists in these lakes is largely for subsistence and commercial purposes specific for Lake Nabugabo based on introduced species (Nile perch and Nile Tilapia). The fish is caught using mainly gill nets and long line hooks.

Superconducting properties of Gd-Ba-Cu-O single grains processed from a new, Ba-rich precursor compound

Gd-Ba-Cu-O (GdBCO) single grains have been previously melt-processed successfully in air using a generic Mg-Nd-Ba-Cu-O (Mg-NdBCO) seed crystal. Previous research has revealed that the addition of a small amount of BaO 2 to the precursor powders prior to melt processing can suppress the formation of Gd/Ba solid solution, and lead to a significant improvement in superconducting properties of the single grains. Research into the effects of a higher Ba content on single grain growth, however, has been limited by the relatively small grain size in the earlier studies. This has been addressed by developing Ba-rich precursor compounds Gd-163 and Gd-143, fabricated specifically to enable the presence of greater concentrations of Ba during the melt process. In this study, we propose a new processing route for the fabrication of high performance GdBCO single grain bulk superconductors in air by enriching the precursor powder with these new Ba rich compounds. The influence of the addition of the new compounds on the microstructures and superconducting properties of GdBCO single grains is reported. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.